ANY J-POUCH ~ Ileostomy reversals out there??????

HEY HI ALL:

Just read a few posts on the "ileostomy" reversals...Are there any experiences to share  (good, bad or indifferent)  REGARDING reversals from those that have also had the J-pouch procedure???

Thank you and my best to everyone!!!          K~

K,

I had a J pouch also but just found out recently mine is not reversable, although my Father and Uncle did have theirs reversed. Both of them did not have much a recovery time, it took about six weeks for them to get their energy level back. They both did have problems for about a year with an urgency to go to the bathroom, several small bowel movements a day. It has been five years for my uncle now and he is doing very well now, he feels pretty good with no urgency any longer although it took a lot of time figuring out how to handle his new body, he went from constipation to diarrhea, but finding the right medications and a high fiber diet helped a lot. My Father was doing well and his cancer returned and we lost him six years ago, although he did handle the reversal very well. You never know what your going to get with cancer , it is quite a roller coaster. Our family has had more than our share with family members and cancer. I wish you well and hope you have a positive experience. Try not to worry several patients do very well with this procedure.

It's going well for me. I had my reversal in mid August, after having the ileostomy for 10 weeks following my LAR and colonic J-pouch construction. The first month was kind of rough, but I got through it with pain meds (percocet) and Calmoseptic cream. The meds will suppress the rectal cramps, allowing you to get through 4 or 5 hours without problems, while the Calmoseptine sooths the inflamed tissue around your anus from all that crapping.

After one month, my situation was very manageable. Now, two months out, I'm really doing great. Currently (as predicted by my surgeon), I'll go 3 or 4 days without much happening (that's good!), followed by a "dump day" when 3 or 4 days of accumulated material is expelled over the course of about 24 hours (not so good). My doc (who hasn't been wrong yet) says that eventually this will settle into a 2- or 3-movement a day routine, which will be fine.

Milestones for me were: The day I got my "push" muscles back; the day I was able to differentiate gas from solids, and vent accordingly.

On 10/13/2009 Stomacide wrote:

It's going well for me. I had my reversal in mid August, after having the ileostomy for 10 weeks following my LAR and colonic J-pouch construction. The first month was kind of rough, but I got through it with pain meds (percocet) and Calmoseptic cream. The meds will suppress the rectal cramps, allowing you to get through 4 or 5 hours without problems, while the Calmoseptine sooths the inflamed tissue around your anus from all that crapping.

After one month, my situation was very manageable. Now, two months out, I'm really doing great. Currently (as predicted by my surgeon), I'll go 3 or 4 days without much happening (that's good!), followed by a "dump day" when 3 or 4 days of accumulated material is expelled over the course of about 24 hours (not so good). My doc (who hasn't been wrong yet) says that eventually this will settle into a 2- or 3-movement a day routine, which will be fine.

Milestones for me were: The day I got my "push" muscles back; the day I was able to differentiate gas from solids, and vent accordingly.

Hello stomacide...OMG ~ I have to admit...you had me laughing!  Thank you for being so blatantly honest...and I mean that sincerely.  I found that after what "we" have been through...I too, have lost all shame when it comes to sharing my experiences on this vulgar dx.   Your "doc" sounds like an upfront and to the point kind of doctor.  I would like that!   Thank you for sharing your "insight".   K~

I'm pretty partial to the guy who saved my life as well. Good guy. I always try to crack him up when I see him, since he's such a white-coat straight-laced, doctor kind of dude.

I'm laying on the gurney, waiting to go in for my reversal and I say, "So, doc, are you ready to commit stomacide?" That got him pretty good.

Go in for a sigmoidoscopy: "How are you, Mr. Johnson?" 

"I'm elated--can't wait to get inflated."

You get the idea.

K, et al-  I am 45yr old, Dx w/ rectal carcinoma 12/08,  hand assited endoscopic surgery 3/09, reversal surgery 5/09. Like others posted have had sig issues 1-2 months post reversal. No voiding for 4-5 days then the dam breaks(always at night). Lots of volume and frequency. Began to have other issues for past 2 month. Mainly.. having urge to go and straining like a woman in labor. It almost mentally broke me. Painful, burning, itching. (Nupricainal does help) Went back 2 weeks ago for a lower GI scope, doc said looks "outstanding", anastomosis was perfectly sealed, no radiation damage etc. Then had upper GI to look at illieostomy site-All good. Whats ultimatley working since 10/20 is diet change. The "drink more fluids" suggestion goes only so far... For me, sig reduced gas in take.. no more mexican, spicey foods, onions ,green peppers etc. All the food I like. Its a B####, but as Steve Jobs recently told fellow Apple employees..."Im still verticle". The more serious realization was that "It" (crapping) will never be the same.

PC

PS- Thanks to those who have shared their personal experiences (it's a fun topic). I've had some solace reading other posts and realizing its not just me who's on this boat.

PPS- correction.... it's not a fun topic.

PC

sent you a p/m

I had my reversal in Sept of 06. The tumor in my rectum could during a prostate exam. The reversal was worth it compared to the wafer burns and stoma cleanings. The colon is a muscle that only sleeps during a surgery. If they removed your rectum your diet needs to change. Nothing that induces bowel function or regularity. It works too much already. Limit water intake since the rectum removes the last bit of fluid in the stool. Limit all dairy except cheese. White bread is the best(all grain has to much fiber) and limit the bran. Cut-out late nite snacks if you want to sleep. I have some nites I don't wake till morning, not many but some. Beer actually helps, it dehydrates you. Cut back on sugars and sauces with dairy. My stools maybe soft but they're formed and I'm feeling pressure again.

Good luck, Dave