I searched this topic on the forum and there wasn't much on it recently so here goes...
I have had my j-pouch for almost 23 years. I have been on 360mg of Codeine daily for almost that whole time. I started on the Codeine about 6 months after my pouch surgery and have been on it since. I'm on my 4th or 5th biologic (Simponi at present). I recently started recording my BMs. I average 6-8 in every 24-hour period. Should I be content with that? I am very curious to know how other j-pouchers do in regards to the number of BMs per day. I really would like to know where I stand. I believe I was told I could expect 3-6 per day in an optimal situation. Once again, I take a lot of Codeine daily. Without it, I am quite sure that BM number would go way way up. That's not really an option as I am dependent on it. I have no idea if and / or how much the Simponi is helping.
The last MRI and scopes I had done were showing some inflammation in parts of my small intestine and near the rectum, but limited.
My GI suggests I stay on Simponi for now because if I take a break from it, there is very little chance it will work again (if it is n fact doing anything to help me) in the future.
The Codeine is really the driving force for my tolerable levels of output. I can't imagine where I would be without it...
My 6-8 daily BMs has been fairly consistent most of the time. I will try and keep a log for a longer period of time to see if anything changes.