J-pouch veterans: do you remember your 6 week mark?

Oh yes I remember because I teach and school was quickly going to start. I was not eating anything raw yet, still very gassy and a red bum. It does take time, 6 weeks just means you are safe to lift, etc. It does not mean the pouch is at its best. Be patient.

Yes to everything. I'd wake up with frustrating regularity at 12.30am, 2am and 5am, couldn't tolerate vegetables, had major butt burn etc.

I started noticing real improvements at about 3 months, and was sleeping through the night (6-7 hours) at 6 months. I've had the j-pouch for over 6 years and have never been diagnosed with pouchitis.

Hopefully things will start improving soon. Try eating vegetables with binding foods like rice.

Have you tried probiotics? I found that they helped with the gas.

Metamucil?

Oh yes to everything! I even ask the Surgeon to put back the bag!

6 weeks...I was sick as a dog!

I had a 1 step surgery and was still very sick after 6 weeks. Surgeons like to say you can rockclimb by then, but in reality your body takes a long time to heal and get better. It was a gradual improvement after a year. So patience is the key!

I am not a veteran, but at the e week mark I was playing golf. Currently going about 8 times a day at the 6 week mark.

yes, my surgeon thought i should be rockclimbing by now!

wow, only 8 times a day at 6 weeks? I am at 15 times a day. i hope it goes down!

FQ I hope it gets better soon. Up until a week or so I was going 11 to 12 times. I do take immodium and Align.

I'm just six weeks out from surgery this Thursday. For the frequency I am going about 3-5 times a day and none at night. I was never really more then 6 from the beginning. Sometimes I will wake up once at night if I eat foods that are a little more irritating. I notice my stomach rumbles and I have more gas with certain foods, but it doesn't bother me much and I am on a pretty normal diet including fruits and veggies. I haven't had any pain or urgency at all. I have noticed some gas and bloating though. Overall I am not frustrated and actually very happy. I had a lot of problems with my illeostomy and had the takedown only five weeks out. I also think it helped going into the first surgery relatively healthy while my UC was not horrible. I have been really happy with my j pouch, not counting the illeostomy (just brings back bad memories!)
I really hope you start to feeling better soon!

I was still having a difficult time at six weeks. I had frequency, buring and could not tolerate vegetables and fruit. I have found it has slowly improved. I do agree that eating vegetables with binding foods seemed to be the best way forward. Six weeks is still not long after such a major change to your body. Do not be hard on your self some people do just sail through others take longer. Anyway where is the evidence that 'the majority' are so improved by six weeks?

Hi fq,
As you can see, everyone is very different. I think the thing I wish I knew, as you are trying to ascertain, is what is the average? I don't know if there is one. I have found that having low expectations has always suited me admirably. Then, you will never be disappointed (strictly in terms of these surgeries, mind you!)

Were you very sick at the time you had the surgery? How many steps did you have? This also can make a difference in recovery time. Also, have you been given the OK to take immodium/lomitil? Are you still taking pain meds regularly (as they tend to slow things down considerably)?

If you doctor gives you the OK, taking immodium makes a big difference. In terms of diet, it is a trial and error. Introduce new foods one at a time.

If you surgeon is quick to dismiss you, it may be time for a new perspective. Have they referred you back to a gastro? Do you have a gastro that you saw pre-op that you like? I would suggest you research some new doctors if you are feeling as if they are brushing you and your concerns off.

I apologize for being so long-winded! It will get better. It took me a full year before I really got into a groove and felt 100% "normal."

Best of luck,

Colleen

6 weeks out... totally sick as a dog. Losing weight daily. Surgeon dismissed me and I was begging to get an appointment with my GI.

6 weeks out going 15/20 times. Takedown was done 4/30. Ended up on a picc line for nutrition. Still on picc line. Now, going 4 to 10 times a day, 2 to 4 times at night. Still not having any fun!
Frustrated! Keep the faith!
Roberta

six weeks i was still hacving most of what you are asking about. as well as going about 10 times a day, without even eating much.

i was told to measure progress in six week increments, not that id be smooth sailing six weeks out!

im 4 months out right now and i feel like i MIGHT be finding a groove (though its only been the past week or so ive been feeling like im making more progress).

quote:

I'm just six weeks out from surgery this Thursday. For the frequency I am going about 3-5 times a day and none at night. I was never really more then 6 from the beginning.

That's incredible, I wish I ever had it that good and I'm 20 plus years now

-Hmm I think I was going about 8-12 times a day.
-I woke up at night and still do. It isn't bad, maybe 2-3 times but I'm in and out in less than 5 minutes (unless I take my phone with me and I end up sitting there playing sudoku or something).
-I ate pretty much what I wanted. In fact I ate Sonnys BBQ 2 weeks after getting out of the hospital.
-The first 3 weeks, yes butt burn was awful. Then it just went away.
-I had cramps that felt like I needed to go but if I stopped and waited they would go away within seconds. Surgeon told me it was normal and it was the jpouch learning to function.
-No pain while going.
-Nope no gas. However if I wait a while before going you can start to ear gurgling.
-Surprisingly I wasn't at all. The only thing that sorta gets on my nerves is the occasional night time leak.