Stools After Pouchoscopy

Do you know if your narrowing was dilated during the procedure? That can sometimes open things up a little too much. Also, what kind of prep did you have? Some of them are quite irritating (and more than seems necessary for a pouchoscopy).

I pooped right after the procedure, but that is about it. Maybe the doc did open stuff up, definitely worth mentioning that the doctor.

Keep us updated dear

I had an enema for my preparation. My report also states that there was a stricture at the pouch-anal anastomosis, this was gently dilated digitally to allow insertion of a gastroscope.

@JordySimo posted:

I had an enema for my preparation. My report also states that there was a stricture at the pouch-anal anastomosis, this was gently dilated digitally to allow insertion of a gastroscope.

Bingo! Lol

@Former Member posted:

Bingo! Lol

Is it likely the gentle digital dilation could cause loose stools for some time afterwards?

Jordy,

I have a stricture at the J Pouch inlet and my doctor said as long he can get the scope through, a balloon dilation would not be be needed. Pretty simple test. Your post suggests that the scope would not go through on its own. I would think a digital dilation was meant as a gentle substitute for a balloon dilation (which is a risky procedure because of potential for tearing of tissue), and you should not have those issues due to a digital dilation. Whether the scope may have caused those issues is another story. In the past scopes have caused minor irritations of the pouch and those can be the cause of loose stools for a few days. The scope prep (enemas and laxatives) can also be harsh and irritating. If it doesn't persist for more than a week, I wouldn't worry about it. But I think the prep rather than the scope itself is more likely harsh on the pouch causing irritation of tissues, although it could be either.

@JordySimo posted:

Is it likely the gentle digital dilation could cause loose stools for some time afterwards?

Definitely possible in my opinion since it seems like he opened up things.

CTBarrister,

Thanks for that information. My consultant who carried out the procedure said it was as narrow as her finger so there's a fair bit of scarring down there which I'll need dilated at some point. I think I'll contact the Endoscopy department and ask about the loose stools just to be sure, hopefully they can put me in touch with someone sooner rather than later.

Lauren,

I'm hoping that's what has happened and that things will clear up soon. I wonder why this happens after dilation? As I've said, this is new to me so I'm unaware of how they do it and what exactly is done.

@CTBarrister posted:

Jordy,

I have a stricture at the J Pouch inlet and my doctor said as long he can get the scope through, a balloon dilation would not be be needed. Pretty simple test. Your post suggests that the scope would not go through on its own. I would think a digital dilation was meant as a gentle substitute for a balloon dilation (which is a risky procedure because of potential for tearing of tissue), and you should not have those issues due to a digital dilation. Whether the scope may have caused those issues is another story. In the past scopes have caused minor irritations of the pouch and those can be the cause of loose stools for a few days. The scope prep (enemas and laxatives) can also be harsh and irritating. If it doesn't persist for more than a week, I wouldn't worry about it. But I think the prep rather than the scope itself is more likely harsh on the pouch causing irritation of tissues, although it could be either.

When you say pouch inlet, are you referring to top of pouch? or do you mean where pouch and anus meet? cuz the last few years I was told I had a few small ulcers at the pouch inlet but that was at the top where it goes into the pouch.. they said no meds as long as not having symptoms which I haven't. They said it doesn't appear to be crohns related and biopsies were fine. I had UC btw.. just stated sometimes there are ulcers there

Pouch inlet = top of pouch where stool enters

Pouch outlet = bottom of pouch where stool exits.

Every set of scope pics I have received have used those terms for at least the past 10 years.

The inlet is the area that is commonly strictured due to backsplash stool/no backsplash valve being present in the pouch as there was in the colon's inlet from the ileum before colectomy. The outlet would more likely be strictured due to inflammation in the cuff or cuffitis.

@JordySimo posted:

CTBarrister,

Thanks for that information. My consultant who carried out the procedure said it was as narrow as her finger so there's a fair bit of scarring down there which I'll need dilated at some point. I think I'll contact the Endoscopy department and ask about the loose stools just to be sure, hopefully they can put me in touch with someone sooner rather than later.

Lauren,

I'm hoping that's what has happened and that things will clear up soon. I wonder why this happens after dilation? As I've said, this is new to me so I'm unaware of how they do it and what exactly is done.

I hope things get better for you! I think it will since he opened stuff up.