I've had a j-pouch for 11 years now and have never had much trouble. A few bouts of pouchitis and I have no other complaints! Now I have been eating better (more really, was lucky to eat twice a day before) and all of a sudden I am having problems. I haven't had any troubles with foods before other than hot ones which I avoid at all costs, but for the past three weeks or so I've had bloating, cramping, and a constant feeling of incomplete emptying. I thought it was pouchitis so I got the normal prescription for 500 mg cipro for 10 days. I finished that last week. Still no help. I haven't seen a GI doc since my surgery and scheduled an apt but they can't get me in for over a month. Any ideas? I still get hungry, still have small BMs, not passing as much gas as usual though. I'm concerned about a possible partial blockage. I'd very much appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!
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Hi Nicole,
Sorry you are having issues. Based on your symptoms, this could be a partial blockage, or perhaps a stricture. It may have been exacerbated by the Cipro, which tends to cause a thickening effect on the stool. It could also be pouchitis - sometimes it takes longer than the normal course of antibiotics to knock it out, or else you need a combo of antibiotics, though you should have seen at least some improvement while you were taking them. Since you can't get in to see the GI for another month, what about your surgeon? Failing that, can you see your GP for a possible fast track referral? You do need to get this sorted, especially since it's been so long since you've had any pouch follow up with a GI.
Sorry you are having issues. Based on your symptoms, this could be a partial blockage, or perhaps a stricture. It may have been exacerbated by the Cipro, which tends to cause a thickening effect on the stool. It could also be pouchitis - sometimes it takes longer than the normal course of antibiotics to knock it out, or else you need a combo of antibiotics, though you should have seen at least some improvement while you were taking them. Since you can't get in to see the GI for another month, what about your surgeon? Failing that, can you see your GP for a possible fast track referral? You do need to get this sorted, especially since it's been so long since you've had any pouch follow up with a GI.
I haven't seen my surgeon since the last surgery either. Due to my insurance now, he is not "in my network" so I don't know what the costs will be! I have a call into my GI to try to bump up the date. Just some extra info, my knees and ankles want to fall off as of last week. I've always been extra crunchy and blamed on the inflammatory process as well as the copious amounts of steroids during my growing years (12-19). I just turned 30 and all of a sudden feel like I'm 90. I'm thinking it might be related but have no way to tell. Sometimes I just have to sit because my knees feel like they are going to crunch to the wrong side and blow out.
I had no disease at age 30 and was actually very healthy. However, I suddenly had to give up driving a stick-shift because my knees could not handle the constant pressing on the clutch.
Amazing how things suddenly "appear" once you hit a milestone birthday.
Amazing how things suddenly "appear" once you hit a milestone birthday.
Hmm... the joint pain may suggest some larger or more systemic inflammatory process going on, or else a reaction to the Cipro, which in and of itself would need to be addressed.
Either way, I think you need to do everything in your power to get this appointment pushed up. I've gone through my GP to get things expedited before, when my surgeon's secretary wouldn't relay my messages to him. I'd suggest trying that route with your GP, if you can. At the very least, I would get a request to be put on the GI's cancellation list. Obviously you don't want to go in through the ER if you can avoid it, but if your symptoms worsen you may have to.
Either way, I think you need to do everything in your power to get this appointment pushed up. I've gone through my GP to get things expedited before, when my surgeon's secretary wouldn't relay my messages to him. I'd suggest trying that route with your GP, if you can. At the very least, I would get a request to be put on the GI's cancellation list. Obviously you don't want to go in through the ER if you can avoid it, but if your symptoms worsen you may have to.
Thanks for the advice! Still trying to get a call back from the GI's office. And Lesandiego, I can still drive the stick-shift! I actually have one. But some days it's not so fun...
I have all those same symptoms and I have a stricture.
Nicole 489,
Have you been able to see a doctor yet? Perhaps the course of Cipro wasn't long enough as Spooky indicated. I can't take Cipro, so I use Flagyl, but sometimes I need to be on it for 14 days. I've had my J-Pouch for 14 years with very little issue until December, 2012. Now dealing with narrowing at the inflow area & strictures in the rectum. If you haven't been seen by your GI doctor yet, I think I'd try to get in to see a different doctor...call your GI's office & tell them you're going somewhere else because they don't seem to want to help you. (Of course this is if you haven't been seen yet!) Good luck, & please post how you're doing.
Have you been able to see a doctor yet? Perhaps the course of Cipro wasn't long enough as Spooky indicated. I can't take Cipro, so I use Flagyl, but sometimes I need to be on it for 14 days. I've had my J-Pouch for 14 years with very little issue until December, 2012. Now dealing with narrowing at the inflow area & strictures in the rectum. If you haven't been seen by your GI doctor yet, I think I'd try to get in to see a different doctor...call your GI's office & tell them you're going somewhere else because they don't seem to want to help you. (Of course this is if you haven't been seen yet!) Good luck, & please post how you're doing.