I have a 40 year old J-Pouch for UC and ultimately colon and rectal cancer. For many many years I have been told on occasion by my doctor I have a stricture which some doctors assumed was impeding my ability to empty completely, Sometimes Laying on my stomach would help me expel some gas and then perhaps more emptying would be facilitated. This pattern of feeling of urgency but unable to empty completely has existed most the lifetime of my pouch but when I would take courses of cipro or endocort I would improve significantly to the extent that I have been able to live pretty much a relatively normal life. To me, I felt like I was having pouchitis flares because it was so responsive to these medications, though strictures and inflammation have been noted on pouchoscopies. Last year's scoping noted stricture and my GI said she dialated me somewhat at that time. However, I still had the issue whenever off meds and lately I have been having significantly more leakage of stool. Colon Rectal surgeon's office exam by anal scope again indicated a stricture which Doc said would best be dilated under anesthesia. He said he felt the stricture was causing the leakage because he could see stool above/beyond the stricture . Apparently only a little stool at a time could empty past the stricture, thus my symptoms. But this doesn't explain why I would improve with the meds. Also, to me, it doesnt make sense that my very watery stools would not be able to get through the stricture. I am now scheduled for my next annual scope and am concerned that by my GI doc dilating me, I will leak even more rectally because I got "stretched out ". Recently I am taking more levsin and have added cholestyramine once daily to my regimen and am taking cipro again. i do feel significantly better and dont have to go to the bathroom as often, and am more comfortable but I am still leaking more than I used to. Questions: What is causing the extra leakage? Will dilation only cause more seepage? What other advice is there for controlling the seepage? Thank you in advance for any info or thoughts.