Thanks for the input. JD, your last sentence is what I've been telling myself lately. My GI is a brilliant clinician, but I've only been working with him for 3 years and this is easily the worst flare (and only real issue) I've had in that time frame. Otherwise I saw him twice a year for check ins/scopes. There were 11 rough years of UC, surgeries, pouchitis before him and my old doctor, who held my hand through it all, would absolutely have prescribed me both had he seen the last scope. Even I could tell how bad the infection was - as could my PCP which is why she made the offer. The best part is I didn't start treatment until a week AFTER that scope,because my GI thought that dilating the stricture may clear up the infection and he, understandably, didn't want to put me on heavy duty meds until it was absolutely necessary. But again, old doctor wouldn't have hesitated. But old doctor knew how my body worked. It's tough - both my GI and surgeon from that time have left me (retired, moved out of state). I don't trust my new team as much. It kind of sucks.
Sigh. I think I will call my PCP and get that prescription. This is the worst pouch flare I've had since my first one - when I didn't realize what was going on. I tolerate flagyl fine - I was on it for 6 months with UC and did start developing neuropothy (which cleared up), but I've taken shorter doses of it since and had no problems. It's more the lifestyle stuff (no alcohol) that prohibits me for asking for it; but I can make that sacrifice for a few weeks. I'm not drinking much now, anyway, as it pisses my stomach off.