Could be, but if it persists and you develop pouchitis symptoms, it is more likely cuffitis.

Jan

This happened to me a few weeks ago.  Things have been going very well for me, however, one night I had a coughing fit and leaked blood.  There was then blood on the TP as well.  It looked like quite a bit - but probably wasn't - and it was very bright red.  Happened when I sneezed a day or 2 later, as well.  Since then, all's clear.  No idea, but I have a long history of cuffitis (taking canasa every other day), and I decided it would put the blame on that.  No history of hemorrhoids.

Hello all,

i am now 16 years with my Jpouch  and i was researching this same problem as having some hemorroids which I am treating and they feel slightly better, but the last few days I suddenly had quite a splash of really bright red blood during my first passing of stools of the day, could this be from hemorroids? Does cuffitis also gives blood?  If anyone can help to explain the difference between the two.

thank you

Patrizia

Both cuffitis and hemorrhoids have a tendency to bleed. Cuffitis is inflamed tissue (like UC) in the short "cuff" of colon (specifically the rectum) left intact in most J-pouch surgery. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in or near the anus. It's not hard to tell them apart on physical exam, assuming a knowledgeable doctor. If they've never heard of cuffitis then you need a different doctor. 

Symptomwise, if you had cuffitis (which does also cause rectal bleeding), you would be having pouchitis symptoms, such as increased frequency and urgency, like UC.

Jan

Dear Jan and Scott,

thank you for your replay and I think I know the cause of my bleeding now. I had been given a medicine to treat the swollen hemorroids to be taken in a high dosage for 4 days, then reduced dosage for 3 days and then 2 pill till symptoms disappear but when I had quite a bit of bleeding and some urgency at night as well I checked the medicine leaflet and have seen that one of the side effects is inflammation of the colon!! I suppose some doctors are not aware of the fact we do still have a bit of colon (cuff). As I stopped this medicine the bleeding seems to have stopped though still some urgency and I hope I will not need to do more about it  or take other medicines to help! Again I feel sometime lost as it is not always easy to talk to the specialists for the Jpouch, specially now that I have moved to the UK and still have to find my new knowledgable specialists. 

As I am taking sulfalazine for my psoriatic arthritis, do you know if this could help with the inflammation of the cuff??

all the best for the new year to you both.

Patrizia