Another "is it" question and antibiotics

It could be pouchitis, I think, but it could be other things, too. While antibiotics are sometimes prescribed based on a phone call, that’s usually when a patient and doctor have an ongoing interaction. You could either try to call your original gastro or ask your primary care doc (if you have one) for a recommendation.

Thanks for the reply.  In the meantime, I did run out to the pharmacy to purchase a probioitc, but I know it's not a cure.

These are the reasons to maintain a relationship with your GI doc. After 8 years he may not even be in the same office, and if he is, he may not be comfortable treating without at least a consultation first. Still, it is worth a call if the symptoms persists. I certainly would give it a few more days to see if it is just a passing virus. You will know soon if this really is pouchitis, and you can take your time to sort it out. If probiotics turn it around quickly, it probably was not pouchitis.

Most doctors are up to speed on virtual visits these days, either phone or video appointments. Ultimately, your doc will want to schedule a scope, but that does not mean he would not prescribe Flagyl or Cipro first to see if that helps your symptoms. In our location, they order Covid testing before any procedure, and there are no random people in the facility. My son just had a colonoscopy last week and I was only allowed into the admissions office. Everyone is masked or no entry. So, the whole process is as safe as it can be.

I go in for my infusions every 6 weeks and labs every 8 weeks, but have not seen my GI in person for several years. We communicate by email and video visits with her nurse practitioner. So, I encourage you to re-establish yourself with your GI and to not fear Covid.

Jan

Hi Lu31

When I have pouchitis I seem to go to the washroom a lot.  And I end up having very runny stools.

From my experience when I get cramping and can't go to the washroom as well as normal or only a little comes out I feel like I'm blocked. I will take an enzyme to help digest the foods in my system at that time.  Also when I'm having a bigger meal or something greasy I will take an enzyme prior to eating which will help digest my food and give me less cramping and no issues with going to the washroom.

I also had my gallbladder taken out and I find as I get older maybe because my gallbladder is not in or maybe because of age there are less enzymes in our stomachs to help digest our food.

The enzyme was recommended to me by an osteopath doctor. It is called super enzymes and it is made by NOW.

I hope this helps.

Lots of luck

Madelaine

You have not seen a gastro in 8 years??!?!! Its recommended that we get checked every 1-3 years. I would definitely suggest that you see a gastro.

Thanks for the replies.  It helps just sharing on here as no one at home understands and see if others have similar issues or thoughts.  My stomach issues seem better now (back to "my" regular bowels).  I am taking the probiotic but think that's just coincidence that it cleared.  I put it down to either major stress at work (my stomach has been in knots), or I also got the covid vaccine a week earlier so who knows if that was related.  Either way, seems to have passed...thank goodness.

@Lu31 posted:

Thanks for the replies.  It helps just sharing on here as no one at home understands and see if others have similar issues or thoughts.  My stomach issues seem better now (back to "my" regular bowels).  I am taking the probiotic but think that's just coincidence that it cleared.  I put it down to either major stress at work (my stomach has been in knots), or I also got the covid vaccine a week earlier so who knows if that was related.  Either way, seems to have passed...thank goodness.

Your welcome honey And yeah stress can do a lot to a person, especially us autoimmune folks/disease folks. What probiotic are you taking?

@Lauren Of Emerald City posted:

Your welcome honey And yeah stress can do a lot to a person, especially us autoimmune folks/disease folks. What probiotic are you taking?

Taking Align.  Have used this one off and on over the years as it's over the counter and have heard it's good for bowel issues.  Btw...silly question but I assume that probiotics as safe for the covid vaccines (i.e. won't interfere)?

There’s no reason to believe that probiotics would affect any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

@Scott F posted:

There’s no reason to believe that probiotics would affect any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccine.

Thank you....feel better knowing i am not doing harm by trying to do something helpful.

@Lu31 posted:

Taking Align.  Have used this one off and on over the years as it's over the counter and have heard it's good for bowel issues.  Btw...silly question but I assume that probiotics as safe for the covid vaccines (i.e. won't interfere)?

That is great honey! I was recommended to take that probiotic as well by my GI, I do not take it because I never had pouchitis, I am not closed to it though. Where do you get your Align? I would recommend getting it at Target, sometimes they have deals on Align.

Since the Covid Vaccine is so new, i cannot answer that question without risking being wrong. I personally think it should be fine but again, since everything is so new, its hard to give an appropriate answer.

@Lauren Of Emerald City posted:

That is great honey! I was recommended to take that probiotic as well by my GI, I do not take it because I never had pouchitis, I am not closed to it though. Where do you get your Align? I would recommend getting it at Target, sometimes they have deals on Align.

Since the Covid Vaccine is so new, i cannot answer that question without risking being wrong. I personally think it should be fine but again, since everything is so new, its hard to give an appropriate answer.

Thank you.  I am in Canada so no Target here.  Just purchased it as Shoppers Drug Mart, one of our main pharmacy chains.  And yeah, it was pretty pricey.  If I stick to it, will look at Walmart (when stores open back up as we are in lockdown now) as probably cheaper.

Yes true...no one really knows a lot about the vaccine as it's new.  Appreciate the comments though.

@Lu31 posted:

Thank you.  I am in Canada so no Target here.  Just purchased it as Shoppers Drug Mart, one of our main pharmacy chains.  And yeah, it was pretty pricey.  If I stick to it, will look at Walmart (when stores open back up as we are in lockdown now) as probably cheaper.

Yes true...no one really knows a lot about the vaccine as it's new.  Appreciate the comments though.

You are welcome! And thanks for seeing my point Pretty cool how you guys have Walmart there! You are so lucky you are in Canada!!!! You guys have free healthcare!!!

Do you need insurance for prescriptions???

@Lauren Of Emerald City posted:

You are welcome! And thanks for seeing my point Pretty cool how you guys have Walmart there! You are so lucky you are in Canada!!!! You guys have free healthcare!!!

Do you need insurance for prescriptions???

A lot of work places have additional health plans you can opt into that will cover most prescriptions. 

@Lu31 posted:

A lot of work places have additional health plans you can opt into that will cover most prescriptions.

We so need to move there ASAP! Lol