J-pouch spasms
October 19, 2009For the first month or so after my takedown surgery, my J-pouch frequently had spasms that reminded me very much of the intense urges I used to have with colitis. While the feeling may be the same, what’s happening is very different. This video explains my experience with this unexpected phenomenon.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Question: Have you experienced these spasms? Answer below!
8 years post-surgery, I continue to see these spasms. However, they are *always* attributed to full pouch. I didn’t have these at all until I started to eat regular diets months after surgery. Now, I realize they’re a sign of a full-pouch. As you said, they may be attributed to having stool stagnant where they wasn’t any prior to surgery. But as I’ve aged, they’ve become a normal thing that I just accept.
Sudden changes of position often trigger them. There are some food triggers for me as well, such as honey-nut cheerios, pepperoni, and other greasy substances. After consuming a good amount of these, I often have more than if I eat pasta or meat.
I tolerate them. Sometimes, they’re annoying and painful. I call them ‘cramps’ and just call it a day.
To whom it may concern. I have fought UC for about 30 years. It is now getting the best of me. I am desperatly trying to find relief or a cure through natural herbs. I am on to some herbs that are helping and may eventually get rid of this terrible disease. I am trying to get this all worked out and take it to the market through a web site and youtube and blogs. What is your opinion? I am working with a natural path and have done quite a bit of research on my own. I feel there has to be another way than to have to have surgery. Greg
Greg,
Certainly natural healing is one way to go. I have no specific opinion on it since there are so many natural remedies and I don’t know what herb does what. There are probably some natural medicines that work for some people, but there doesn’t seem to be anything definitive that helps all people in all cases.
Personally, I can say from experience and from talking to many, many other people that surgery is a good option if other treatment methods do not work out.
Dennis
Good video. Have had these spasms since my op 10 days ago. Wish they’d warned me as I felt like it was gonna burst.
As u suggest, let’s hope they clear up in a few weeks. Been getting them every 10mins or so.
How has your pouch performed thus far?
Ian (UK)
I’m 11 days post takedown and have these spasms frequently. I take lomotil and tincture of opium to slow my GI tract, both of which help ease the spasms, which then come back as the drugs wear off. I hate to say it but I’m starting to miss my ileostomy. [Insert little "grrrrr" face here.]
Well, I’m 11 weeks post takedown and now have these spasms rarely. Things do get better! My output remains ridiculously high, but I’ll take any improvement I can get (though I still miss my ostomy). Thanks again for providing this site.