I get reconnected in 3 weeks and I'm afraid that I always have the urge to go. Like feeling pressure in the rectum all the time. I'm especially worried about it preventing me from being intimate. Whenever I had a flare I could not even be intimate if I had the feeling I had to go. I understand that there is an adjustment period. How long will it be until I feel comfortable?
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Having a J-pouch is nothing like having a UC flare. You are very likely to be just fine. People vary a lot in how long it takes to get used to the new plumbing - anywhere from 6 weeks to a year.
I can sometimes hold upto 8 hours , its been 9 months post takedown now. I only go twice in short intervals during night after dinner and 4-5 times a day. Early weeks are tough with pouch but thing definitely settle over time. Practise doing tons of kegels and other bottom exercises to help strengthen those muscles. I still do them daily. Also don't worry too much about settling, these things take their own time. Everyone's different so you'll know your answer with passing time. Eat more bulking foods like sweet potatoes, bananas, breads, butter, peanut butter, egg whites etc. And you can talk to your surgeon about pysillium husk post takedown.
No you should not feel constant pressure to go after takedown, especially after the adjustment period. As Scott says, this varies for everyone. The first few months can be pretty difficult so just be prepared and be patient and you should do fine.
Thank you all. This will all be very new to me so I might come back and asked more questions. I'm amazed how the body can adapt to a missing organ. I'm so happy to be a j-pouch candidate. I appreciate the everybody's support.
