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I'm 22 years out from my J-Pouch surgery, and just remarked Monday on how well I've been doing (don't ever say that out loud).

Yesterday, Wednesday evening, I went to the bathroom. I'd been straining a bit lately, but just thought I'd eaten indiscriminately/too fibrous. I reached for the A&D, because I felt, well, a little chafed, but when I went to apply it, I felt a firm nodule, about the size of a marble.

It's near the exit/by the anus, but not RIGHT on it. It's more sore today.

I went to the ER, because I'm not going to play around with things, and I saw one of my doctors (a surgeon, but not my original surgeon; he's in a different town). He feels it's likely an abscess forming. He put me on Cipro and Clinda (I'm allergic to Flagyl).

What I've read about abscesses, though, is that abx therapy alone isn't usually curative. I'm worried about it all.

I've not felt ill lately, I've had no fever or chills, and this came up quite abruptly. Besides straining a bit recently, nothing is different in my life/with my pouch. I've had straining episodes in the past, though, without issues like this.

Anyone have anything like this happen with them? This far out with their pouch? Just looking for someone to talk to about it. Frowner
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hmmm... well I don't have any great insight/info for you on this but I'll share my long/short experience and give you a few positive thoughts....

I had an abscess (sounds like same area yours is) that recurred several times before I got my colon/pouch surgeries... then it returned again after surgeries. Needless to say, I like you stressed about it. And down near anal canal my understanding is that if it were to become fistula that is potentially serious for us j-pouchers....

anyway, long and short.... I had it drained prior to my surgeries (it still returned) and I had abscess surgery by my pouch surgeon 6 months after takedown. It was termed an "atypical presentation".... which I guess means tougher to deal with/drain. So despite the drainings and antibiotic courses I still a year and a half after takedown still feel it. At times it swells up. then it goes back down. There is scar tissue from surgery down there as well so not sure what exactly feel when I probe. ??>..

More than one surgeon has told me that they tend to be a little "reactive/conservative" about treating these things. They don't want to get in and "dig"... they deal with it based on what it does....??

I would definitely continue to do what you are. Get it checked out...but don't worry yourself too much with "end of the world" thinking. I have had mine now for several years. ..... Usually it's a non-issue... I just sort of live with it. I have a routine pouch scope scheduled next month and I suppose we will revisit the issue then??..

Hopefully, whatever you are dealing with can be treated and you'll be done with it. But even if that's not the case don't stress too much.... get it checked out and drained etc.. if needed ...understand that it may be something that you have to just cope with for a while if it doesn't (phrase my surgeon used) "declare itself" .......
Thanks. I'm still worried. I'm worried, what if the anal area turned "cancerous?" I know that it's probably not, and that I'm likely overreacting, but with the anal cuff left, I guess there's always that chance.

The one doc told me not to think that way, that he really feels it's an early-on abscess. But I hope we can sort of sort it out. It's not really doing anything right now... not getting smaller, not getting bigger.

I've tried hot baths with epsom salts, but they do nothing. From the "outside," you can't see anything, you can just feel things. It's sort of towards the coccyx area, but more to the right. Again, not worse. But not better.

I'm on day 4 of abx (Clinda and Cipro; allergic to Flagyl), but nothing's happening, though I understand that if it IS a loculized area of inflammation and pending infection, abx therapy can't always *get* there.

*sigh*

Always right before Christmas! I always have issues around the holidays. My first surgery was through late December/January in 1991... I "blocked" low one year... spent Christmas eve overnight another with a severe bout of belly flu/dehydration... it's like my bowels like to remind me of themselves around this time! But overall, my 22 years have been positive ones.

I'll stay in touch.

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