Ileostomy reversed (j pouch)???

[wtfrt]

Not sure where to start, Had tumor (rectal cancer) removed in Feb 2008, wore a bag(j pouch) until nov 2008 and was reversed then. Surg. said it would take time for rectum to figure things out. Not 100% it would figure it out.Told to do kegel exersise's. I am getting pretty frustrated. Just looking for any advice on how I might be able to strengthen my rear end. I have wet farts all day long and have to change my depends several time aday.
Thanks

[Lynne]

If you don't get some responses here soon, try checking out the discussion at www,j-pouch.org.
There's lots of j-pouch information there.

[wtfrt]

Thanks Lynne, I will check it out.

[DianaT]

Hi. I know exactly how you feel. I had a total colectomy in March 2006 after suffering with a severe flare-up of ulcerative colitis and in the end while in hospital - my colon was punctured. I nearly didn't make it, but was rushed in to surgery on March 17th and after 7 hours, I woke up to find I had an ileostomy. I was alive, but I was not happy. I suffered for 2 more weeks in hospital with infections galore and required several blood transfusions. I finally went home in April 2006 ( 6 weeks total in hospital). I stayed with my ileostomy for 18 months and then decided that I didn't want to live with this "bag" attached to me for the rest of my life. I was only 36 after all and had two small children and husband that I wanted to be able to continue a "normal life" with. I had my 1st step of reversal surgery in June 2008 and then my final surgery in December 2008 to connect all the plumbing. Well, the plumbing works and it works too well. I also had difficulty in the beginning with passing gas and had to wear a larger pad. I still wear a pad everyday because in my mind, I feel more secure that if I am out at least I have some protection. I have good days and bad days. It also depends on what I eat. I stay away from fresh fruit and vegetables most of the time. If I know I am going to be at home, I will have a salad or have the fresh stuff I really love. It is a catch 22. I struggle with low iron and dizziness and I have 6 - 8 loose bowel movements on a regular basis. If I know that I will be going out, I take Immodium and it seems to help slow down my movements. I always need to know where the bathrooms are. I am currently on some antibiotics (Cypro - 500 mg 1/day) and it seems to help. My gastrointerologist says that I have pouchitis which is very common among patients that have had pelvic pouch surgery. It is inflammation of the pouch itself and very much like ulcerative colitis. (Isn't it ironic - get rid of one thing and you gain something else?)
Maybe you should ask your doctor to check if you have pouchitis?
Anyway, the only thing I can say to you is stay positive. We have been through tough times and we have overcome the worst. The main thing is that we are here and we have to be strong. There are good days and bad days - I know and I understand how frustrating it can be. I just take things as they come and do the best I can. Please talk to your doctor and feel free to send me a private message if you want to talk more.

Take care
dianat

[susan f]

I'm a little confused - did you have a j-pouch constructed? If so, then you won't have any part of your large intestine left (although some rectal muscles might be there).

I was told to "clench" and relax my anal sphincter 10 times, and do this 3 times a day for the time that I had my temporary ostomy. That helped once I was reconnected. Most people with j-pouches do have a hard time distinguishing gas from stool - I always went to the bathroom to pass gas. If you have a lot of gas, you might want to try eliminating gas producers from your diet (carbonated beverages and chewing gum can cause gas, as well as broccoli, cabbage, onion and that sort of thing).

I would also suggest talking to your medical professionals - if there has been damage to your sphincter then it is unlikely that exercising it would help. This is what happened to me eventually - I couldn't really control the leakage and 7 years ago I had my j-pouch removed. The damage was from multiple abscesses, though, so it wasn't something that 'snuck up' on me, by any means.

Good luck.

[songbird]

Have you ever heard about biofeedback? It is a treatment that measures how well your rectal muscles work, and how well you control them. It also teaches you and shows you if you are relaxing and contracting those muscles correctly. How? Well, the doctor or nurse attaches electrodes to certain areas on your abdomen and your butt and inserts a small device into the rectum ( it does not hurt ). Then they ask you to do a series of relaxing and contracting of your rectal muscles. The data obtained from the machine will then give you insight into the strength of your muscles; and with that information, the doctor or nurse will be able to show you different excercises and other things that you can work on to strengthen the rectal muscles. After your session, you will be able to work on the suggestions at home before your next appointment at which you will be able to see your progress. It might not be a very quick progression of getting those muscles to working order, but it should progress. I'm sorry about your frustration, and I hope you get better soon.