A couple of jpouchers have told me (UC colon) that the closest comparison in terms if bith the urge and the amount if control is with a bladder and urination- namely that there is no urgency at all (unless it is full to the brim) and that you can empty it at will no matter how little is in there (unlike a healthy colon, which typically won't empty until you have it resonably filled up, absent laxatives). Is this correct? Thanks from a jpouch wannabee.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Some (most, I hope!) experience little urgency after takedown. For others, there can be urgency or cramping for weeks or months after takedown, with or without pouchitis. (It took hysocyamine, an antispasmodic, to get my urgency under control.) I've never had problems emptying the pouch, even when there's hardly anything in there.
I don't have an answer to this, but I hope many others do respond as I am curious as well. My hubby is facing jpouch surgery in the next couple months. Thanks for the question badplumbing, hopefully you get lots of feedback!
Same Sh**
I would agree with that comparison. The urgency will likely feel greater for a few weeks after surgery and during bouts of pouchitis. But otherwise, you should be able to hold it and release when you want. It will get more uncomfortable the longer you wait, like a full bladder. Also like a full bladder, sometimes if you push through an urge or ignore it, it'll go away for awhile.
One of the positives of living with a J-pouch is that I can empty it upon command! Before I go anywhere, practically, I visit the bathroom to empty. Try doing that with a colon!
quote:I would agree with that comparison. The urgency will likely feel greater for a few weeks after surgery and during bouts of pouchitis. But otherwise, you should be able to hold it and release when you want. It will get more uncomfortable the longer you wait, like a full bladder. Also like a full bladder, sometimes if you push through an urge or ignore it, it'll go away for awhile.
I agree with the above post, and can expand a little bit on urgency during bouts with pouchitis since I have had more than a few. Urgency during pouchitis bouts for me is still not as bad as it was with UC, when I had virtual incontinence and had to sprint to the bathroom. I think that is because the urgency with pouchitis occurs as soon as there is fecal matter entering the pouch, and it is of insufficient amount to create much pressure although you do feel urgency. Laws of physics, mass and gravity all come into play here - less mass means less pressure.
But for the most part my pouchitis is under control and while under control, urgency is exactly as described by clz81.
Apart from when I had ileus, I have had absolute contol of my J-pouch. For me it just keeps getting better and better. I can sense when there is something in there but don't have to empty until it suits me. I don't have to empty it at night. Sometimes if I wake up I can feel it is fairly full, but I am so confident now that I just think "oh I can't be bothered to get up out of my warm bed" and just go back to sleep. I also definately go more when I am at home just because it makes sense. When I go out I go for hours without emptying. Hope you husband has a positive result too.
Caroline
Caroline
Pouchitis leaves me feeling like I did with UC that being th urgency is there and you don't feel like you can hold much in there. But when I feel good I empty when I get a chance and or when I go to empty my bladder. I wish it was like this all the time ,but after 3 years Im stilltrying to find that happy medium