UOAA Discussion Board

:Hi. Last time I asked for advice on this discussion board was prior to my reveral surgery in June 2007. I had a successful reversal according to my surgeon and it has now been 2 months. I have had no complications really until a few weeks ago when I started to feel pressure in my bowels and feeling like I had to have a bowel movement. After surgery I did have some mucous excretions from the rear but surgeon said this was normal. Just last week I had from 10 - 12 small excretions of mucous plus small bits of oatmeal like bits. I hardly slept during the night because I was up almost every hour or two to go to the bathroom. I eventually became dehydrated and felt very nauseated and threw up about 2 or three times in two days. I did not feel hungry and nothing was appealling to drink. I ended up in the hospital on Wednesday last week and was rehydrated. I am feeling a bit better this week but still having frequent bathroom visits and uncomfortable sensations in the rear - pressure of wanitng to have a bowel movement. I talked to my surgeon and he said it sounds like I may have a narrowing in the lower end and he may have to fix this before having the second stage of my reversal surgery to connect everything. I am scheduled to have a flexible sigmoidoscopy next Friday because he wants to check how my pouch has healed so that we can proceed with the completion of my reversal. I am very tired and I have two small children to look after. I feel worried that maybe I have made the wrong decision to have my ileostomy reversed. I had the original ileostomy surgery in March 2006 as a result of ulcerative colitis flare up and a perforated colon while in the hospital last year. I am scared and feeling worn out. I know I have to complete this last stage but I don't know how much more I can take. It has been a long 2 years already. Does anyone have any helpful advice for me, any similar experiences, please shed some light on what I am experiencing... I'm at the end of my rope - emotionally and physically. I appreciate your time. Thanks. I am so glad that this forum is available.

Sincerely,

Diana

just to clarify your situation - you had your jpouch constructed in June of this year and now have a loop ileo and are awaiting the reversal???

I had my jpouch constructed in Oct '06 and the reversal in Jan of '07. I had a rough recovery after the jpouch was constructed. I had frequent mucous discharge, but nothing that I would consider out of the ordinary or abnormal.

I can't say that I am sure about what is happening to you, but the things that I would be concerned about and to have your doctors check for are an infection, a fissure or fistula or if there is some kind of UC flare in what is left of your rectum (the rectal cuff). If by chance your doctor/surgeon does not seem to have a good handle on your issues, dont be afraid or hesitate to seek other opions.

Overall I have been happy with my jpouch and assuming your doctors can fix the issues you are currently having things will be much better down the road.

Try not to second guess your decisions. Nobody ever knows how things are going to turn out and if you had decided not to have the reversal, then you might be sitting there day in and day out saying "what if". My own justifications for my decision was that if for some reason things didnt work out as planned, I gave it a shot, there are no "what ifs" and I am no worse off now than when I started.

The best advice I can give is to push your doctor to get on top of what is going on with you right now. Once you fix that problem you will be on your way to better days.

Take care and good luck

Brian

Hello, my name is Brandon. this is actually my first post but seems like a good place to start.

first off hang in there and keep yourself hydrated, that is just as important as your mental state. being in the hospital when you should be resting and getting ready for the next surgery kinda sucks. does not help... know that the fight is worth the outcome.
I had discharge during recovery between surgeries weird urges and pressure, all mucus like stuff. I was like nothing is hooked up this is weird, doc said it was normal. I was also taking a medical suppository once a night anally. not fun but if it was for the best I was sure as heck doing it. might have been part of the discharge to. I just got used to that stuff, after all it could not get any worse than when I was dealing with the UC. before I knew it my fight was worth it. I had UC for 16 months, 19years old. could not battle any more, decided on a surgeon and started prepping, got very ill developed toxic mega colon, had emergency surgery almost did not make it. he could not finish the surgery because I was in bad condition. took the process from two to three surgeries, all I looked forward to was being normal, it was all that kept me going, also had lots of love and support from my mom and other family and also friends. now I will be 26 in a week and besides a nice scar, well a couple good ones, I feel so normal. not a day has gone by that I regret the surgeries and the fight only made me stronger, the mind does some crazy things when your scared and feel like you made a mistake. keep your head up, this is so worth it!!! dont forget to keep yourself hydrated as it is so important to the success and the start of the total recovery. try not to worry.
my thoughts are with you... if you have any more ??? feel free to ask or send me a PM
GOOD LUCK

Brandon1 that sounds likemy hospital experiece. Though I had UC for over 20 yrs. I'm 43
I'm having my first reversal surgery on Dec 10.