At what point is your level of control for the pouch pretty much determined? Is it one year out from takedown?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Do you mean how long you can hold it? I have had pretty good control since the beginning but I definately can hold it a lot longer now. My take down was almost 2 years ago. There have been many times that I have held it for hours. Gets a bit uncomfortable of course but I am happy I can. Sometimes it just isn't convenient to get to a bathroom.
Yes during the day and at night. I can hold it pretty good but I have awful rectal pressure - even right after I go. Hoping that gets better with time. Thought by 3 months out that would go away by now but guess I have to be patient. It makes me nervous to leave the house at night because I always feel like I have to go - even right after I go.....
I have had the J Pouch for 20 years and, except for periods of untreated pouchitis, control is better than it ever was when I had UC. Control is as good now as it ever has been, so long as I am on antibiotics. Even in a pouchitis flare, while there is urgency, I still have the ability to control. It's not total loss of continence and massive stools in the pants as I had many times with UC.
Just a thought- I had no problems holding but the pain after emptying turned out to be a stricture. I had it dilated and for a few weeks - no pain after emptying but it seems to be creeping back. However reading others posts it does seem that for a stricture one dilatation is not ususally enough. at least I am not worrying that it is something worse.
ps I am seven months out from takedown
ps I am seven months out from takedown