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20 days ago I had the reversal.
crossing fingers, evrything seems very good (more than I have expected) so far; absolutely no urgence, very sporadic nocturnal bowel movements, absolutely no leakages.
And I'm getting to know the pouch.

During the 24 hours I have times to times some cramps. I think this would be a sign I could empty the pouch, for sure a cramp (which, I suppose is located where the anastomosis was done) is a sign that something is filling the pouch. So I could go straight to empty. The fact is I have no urgence to do this (after 12 years of continuous colitis this is a bit strange for me) so I retain and after some seconds I don't feel nothing disturbing, just the sensation that I could empty if I would.

The decision I could have taken about it are two: go straight emptying, or retaining. I have a doubt about what should be the better solution.
Retaining I have the sensation it could be a "training" for my pouch (and the last part of remaining small intestine), to get the habit to absorb better liquid and retaining. So that it can normalize itself as a new colon.
On the other hand, emptying would keep the system cleaner, and I'm a bit concerned because I'm so happy with this new condition I would never want to take the risk to get inflammation, pouchitis, or worst Crohn's...

Retaining I'm having two bm's in 24 hours which is absoultely awesome but i'm quite sure that this would increase to 3 or 6 if I get the habit to empty everytime I feel some cramp or so.

What would you advise experienced pouchers?

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Sounds like you are lucky, two times, wow! I thought I was doing well because I am averaging 6. It seems those "cramps" are universal in the healing period. My surgeon says everything is still very new and it will take a while to settle down. I also try to tough it out and retain. Most of the time I feel I could keep holding even longer, but I have to urinate and I can't urinate without having a BM.

Just curious, I remember after takedown you were worried about a fistula, did that situation resolve itself?
P
I hope so Liz, after my latest post I hadn't that symptom anymore; I'm still taking ciprofloxacina (prescribed for 2 weeks), but I suppose it was air from catheter... It appeared very seldom, the gas was minimal and the urine are always clear, so, I hope that worry is gone... you too are going very well 6 movements after 20 days is excellent result, are you experiencing other symptoms?
apart for cramps I have had a small anal inflammation (acid stools plus sometimes I force the pouch to empty as it always seems something remains...)
I
Manny I eat two bananas at breakfast (this is routine) and I'm avoiding coffee (I was a coffee addicted). then have lunch (usually proteins like meat, eggs or fish, ham, tuna with a very small bit of vegetable - I'm cautious but don't want to be totally low-fiber) and some soft bread (I'm trying a whole grain bread and it seems good). sometimes I have pasta or rice but is summer and I don't have the need of much calories so I pretty avoid them... the dinner is the same; I sometimes get a small amount of water melon and some small cup of icecream (from cow milk) times to times...

perhaps I'm lucky, my surgeon told me that this is one of the best pouch he ever made, don't know the reason but I believe it but I'm keeping my finger crossed as I'm still too much afraid from the disease, 12 years of uninterrupted disease... perhaps my small intestine already intelligently begun to absorb liquid as my months with an ostomy were generally good with very well formed stools?

good luck fellow
I
I had pancolitis for 12 years, never in remission, that's the reason I'm speculating the small intestine get that habit to keep my fluids; I forgot to say I'm trying to drink well out meals... I take also some gatorade (about 1 liter/day) and 500ml/1 liter of water... (I'm sincere I drink when I'm thirsty)
I
Last edited by Ikh
hi Ikh, I would say the cramping/spasms are my only real complaint. I still have some difficulty urinating but that was the norm for me for weeks after each previous surgery so I can only assume it's normal. I'm a little freaked because today I've had some "spotting" in my underwear that looks like leakage but it's in the wrong place, if you know what I mean... but UC/surgery has taught me if it isn't imminently life threatening to not worry until the symptom has hung around for a few days.

I guess you are able to urinate without having a bowel movement if you are drinking that much each day, eh? I wish I could!! I have a very small amount of anal irritation, but I've used a bidet and barrier cream since coming home from the hospital so for the most part no problems there.

I've been having oatmeal with a banana mixed into it for breakfast every day... I think, other people have large intestines, I have oatmeal and bananas!
P

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