I here so many having problems with their pouch. I still have my loop ileostomy and have had pouchitis twice. I've only had the pouch since April. I'm afraid of what's going to happen once I get connected.
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Halo, there are a number of causes of pouchitis and a lot of studies done regarding causes / possible solutions for pouchitis. Pouchitis is inflammation in the pouch and can be caused by:
You won't know what is going to happen until you get connected. For some, adjustment is very quick and things go very well. For others, the "adjustment" period is prolonged (even up to a year) but things get better. Remember - there is a ~90% satisfaction rate with the j-pouch. If you do have problems with pouchitis, there are options such as: antibiotics, anti-inflammatories used for UC like sulfasalazine, OTC meds like Pepto Bismol, probiotics, and PPIs like Prilosec. Lots of things to try in order to see what will help.
For my daughter, who was diagnosed with chronic, acute pouchitis, sulfasalazine and PPIs seem to help her. The haven't taken a look at her pouch in a long time (they don't like to scope kids unless absolutely needed), but she hasn't had pouchitis symptoms since she's been on these meds.
All that to say - if you do have issues, you do have options to try. Hope that eases your mind.
Steve
- Prolonged use of NSAIDs
- Bacterial / fungal overgrowth in the pouch
- PH imbalance in the pouch (which can affect the bacterial balance)
- Indeterminate UC / Crohn's disease (some people find they have ongoing inflammation more indicative of these two diagnoses)
You won't know what is going to happen until you get connected. For some, adjustment is very quick and things go very well. For others, the "adjustment" period is prolonged (even up to a year) but things get better. Remember - there is a ~90% satisfaction rate with the j-pouch. If you do have problems with pouchitis, there are options such as: antibiotics, anti-inflammatories used for UC like sulfasalazine, OTC meds like Pepto Bismol, probiotics, and PPIs like Prilosec. Lots of things to try in order to see what will help.
For my daughter, who was diagnosed with chronic, acute pouchitis, sulfasalazine and PPIs seem to help her. The haven't taken a look at her pouch in a long time (they don't like to scope kids unless absolutely needed), but she hasn't had pouchitis symptoms since she's been on these meds.
All that to say - if you do have issues, you do have options to try. Hope that eases your mind.
Steve
Thanks Elmer