kara--i feel so badly about your predicament of the valve slippage or worse than that, who knows at this point. (can't we get a little plexiglass window installed in the canal to monitor valve's behavior?) and add to it the pouchitis and now iron deficiency. this is all so difficult to work through. it always amazes me how we all can become agents over our health care and do not submit to victimhood--this site has helped me in doing so and i know you use it that way also.
to answer your question re B12 shots. it is not preload like humira, but rather the druggist gives me syringes and needles and i buy the med. i shoot it into my thigh, it is very easy to do. if you think it is going to hurt it will, if you think it is less of a hurt then bumping into something or pinching yourself you will realize the pain is that little. once i thought i had hit a vein, but the reality is the vein will roll and protect itself from my stupidity!! another option is a nasal spray and perhaps your insurance will cover it. it's $$$
i think i previously posted that my anemia is completely gone since i've gotten the k pouch, and i attribute it to no more pouchitis. at the time i had pouchitis the hematologist suggested the anemia was caused by chronic inflammation and he was right. no pouchitis and no anemia. i have stuck to my no refined sugar and few simple carb diet and irrigate almost every time i intubate as i don't want to tempt the pouchitis gods that demonize us. maybe it makes no difference but who knows .....
my biggest problem since the k pouch surgery is dehydration and subsequent kidney failure if i don't catch it in time. that's aside from third world toilets not being k pouch friendly.
when do you see dr. dietz? i'll be interested in hearing what you think of university hospital in comparison to cc. i hope for the best outcome for you. you're doing an amazing job of managing all of these problems. keep it up. janet