question????

Gee, this could easily be an anal stricture and a simple digital rectal exam would diagnose or rule it out. But, go ahead and see if the muscle relaxers resolve the issue. Also, push lots of fluids and cut back on the hard to digest foods until this passes.

If the symptoms persist, insist on being examined.

Jan

Thanks Jan, I was hoping you would be out there to answer!! I will stay away from red meat anything else you recommend staying away from I would appreciate it. I am going out of town for the weekend and would sure not like to have any issues while gone.

That is the only time I ever had to strain....when I had an anal stricture. But mine developed shortly after takedown. I didn't think they developed out of the blue years later but who know with the crazy j pouch life. And yeah, it will kill your butt to strain. Grape or prune juice helped me a lot during that time. Hope it gets resolved soon!

My narrowed anal anastomosis/stricture came on me after 20 years, but may have some tie in to my small perianal fistula and some inflammation related to that.

Strictures and narrowing can happen at any time, unfortunately. I have had a few dilations under anesthesia, and this helps tremendously when I'm symptomatic. Just had one recently, and things are much, much better, and were immediately so. It wasn't my worst one ever, but it was definitely there.

I am finding that taking a 500mg Mag Ox tab once a day helps me be "looser" with my BMs. Magnesium pulls fluid into the bowel, and this is helpful to me.

Thanks all. Surgeon said to go on BRAT diet for the weekend and he is on call should anything develop further and if better I can call and cancel my appt I have with him on Tuesday. I hope all those Mother's out there have a very happy Mother's Day!!

Well went to the surgeon Tuesday because output is hardly anything. He did a finger exam , pushed on my stomach said everything felt fine. Said I could take a tablespoon of Milk of Magnesia which I did and all moved out last night but back to no output again, no urge really except when I feel gassy. Starting to have me worried. Never experienced not having to use the bathroom since j-pouch surgery. Any thoughts....I have a pouch scope scheduled June 13th.

See my thread here...

http://j-pouch.org/eve/forums/...1071921/m/3087013076

However, things have been going alright.

I started occasionally taking a Mag Ox. That helps. Magnesium pulls water into the bowel. I do better with a looser stool.

I've upped my water tremendously.

I'm avoiding all gluten and starchy foods. No nuts, mushrooms, corn, peas, quinoa, high fiber, Chinese veggies... I found some trigger foods in FODMAP I'm avoiding too.

Purple grape juice, 4-6 oz in the morning helps, too. I also drink dry red wine about 2 glasses 4X a week.

I know my body will cycle round again and give me issues, but these things are helping keep stool looser for me. At my scope, I was dilated again; pretty sure I need dilations at minimum 2X a year, now.