Pouchitis but don't want to take antibiotics

quote:

is it bad to let the pouchitis stay there? Will I do damage?

If you don't treat it, it will get worse over the course of time. Antibiotics are the best way to treat pouchitis, but you can try other treatments like Pepto Bismol, cutting sugar and carbs, and probiotics if you can obtain a remission through antibiotics.

I would not let it go untreated. It's inflammation, and untreated inflammation can lead to bad things happening.

I agree 100% - take the antibiotics and supplement each pill with some probiotics. I've been taking VSL#3 for a few years now and swear by the stuff.

You don't want to let it develop into something worse - it can get a lot worse!

Best of luck

I know this seems so obvious but it's not to me.

When I've had pouchitis in the past I've felt really bad. I have diarrhea even though taking fiber, I'm exhausted. But right now, I don't have any of those symptoms. I'm feeling pretty good.

The reason why I'm hesitant is that during antibiotics I feel great. Then after, I feel really horrible. It takes me weeks to feel somewhat normal again. Also, I don't want to become dependent on them and also I don't want to risk things like c-diff.

Does some red in my pouch MEAN pouchitis? Can probiotics and pepto help it enough? What could go wrong if left alone, I mean, I didn't even know it was there in the first place.

Finally, if most people are adamant about going forward with the antibiotics, which should I take? I have both cipro and flagyl. What is your opinion on this?

Thanks for your advice.

ALL pouches have some degree of inflammation present. Minor stuff is not considered pouchitis and they don't treat it. But, you must have had enough inflammation for your doc to diagnose it as pouchitis, even though you don't have your typical symptoms.

So, the way I look at it, if you choose to take the antibiotic, you are treating this at an early level, so there should not be a huge difference in how you feel overall. Also, you will be preventing it from becoming worse.

If it were me, I'd take a single antibiotic (I prefer Flagyl because the risk of C. diff is nearly non-existant). Then, I'd follow up with probiotics, and Pepto Bismol too if you feel the need. Then you can stay on the probiotics as your maintenance treatment. Take Pepto Bismol when you have minor issues and perhaps this will keep you on track.

Of course, I am biased because I keep Flagyl on hand all the time so I can take it soon as I notice that pouchitis symptoms are more than just eating too much pizza. I've had one bout of persistent pouchitis, lasting a couple of months. I don't want to go there again. Since my new strategy, I get pouchitis 1-2 times a year and never need more than a 10 day course of Flagyl.

Jan

Ah, the wisdom of Jan. Ok, I go forward with the flagyl. Just to understand you, do I take probiotics and pepto during the course of flagyl or after?

Up to you. I don't. Decide based on your symptoms.

I'm a less is more type of person.

Jan

Jan is a wealth of info. So grateful!

Thanks for this post. I am storing it in my mental file if needed in the future.

Yes, thank you so much Jan.

What does Pepto Bismol do? How should you take VSL 3? I have some and I just went off my cipro that I was on for over a year. I sure feel like I have pouchitis but I don't want to go back on cipro. I am so loss. Sounds like I should. I hate flagyl. I didn't do anything for me.

Any help would be great. Should I try pepto and VSL3 before I eat or after. Also, when should fiber we taken before or after you eat? I am so at a loss with all this medicine. But I have the runs so darn bad. That is why I feel I have pouchitis back and I have gas really bad not to many cramps, just can't stop going to the bathroom. Oh please help. I was so glad to see this post. I was going to post the same question

Not sure if I'm the one who can answer these best. For me, I take liquid pepto at night. It seems to calm things down and I don't go to the bathroom as much during the night. I take fiber in the morning with my juice. This bulks things up for the day and might help your "runs". As far as VSL, I don't think it matters how you take it or when.

But for me, if this doesn't stop the diarrhea, that seems to mean pouchitis. If you don't like cipro maybe your dr. will try flagyl. Sounds like you might need your pouch checked.