Need to calm my nerves

I suspect it's pouchitis, though I understand the surgeon's skepticism. If/when he decides to try an antibiotic you'll likely get quick relief, and (if it's pouchitis) it usually clears up in 10-14 days of treatment. You could try a probiotic in the meantime - VSL #3 DS kept me off antibiotics for a year or so - but the best ones (VSL & Visbiome) are expensive. Good luck.

Words of Wisdom: When I worry or have anxiety or depression, I think, say out loud or write down the things I am grateful for. That helps me a lot with my anxiety. ALso concentrating on the things you have instead of what you do not have also helps anxiety

Are you taking anything for the urgency? Getting control of that could help a lot with anxiety. I think that often doctors are dismissive of our complaints, thinking we are exaggerating. In reality, I think it is more true that we tend to downplay our symptoms because we have been living with dysfunction for so long.

I am sure that having a lot of tests just add to your anxiety. Even if a CT is out of an abundance of caution, it can make you feel that they expect to find something sinister.

Jan

Thanks for the replys all. I took half an immodium tablet last night and it seemed to stop me up a bit, but I was still tossing and turning and getting up to use the restroom.

I did take a half immodium during the weekend when I went out for a few drinks with friends and it helped keep the urgency away for the time I was out. Or maybe I was just distracted!

Maybe tonight I'll try to eat something more bulking such as a banana or peanut butter with crackers and see if that helps.

@BK 123 posted:

Thanks for the replys all. I took half an immodium tablet last night and it seemed to stop me up a bit, but I was still tossing and turning and getting up to use the restroom.

I did take a half immodium during the weekend when I went out for a few drinks with friends and it helped keep the urgency away for the time I was out. Or maybe I was just distracted!

Maybe tonight I'll try to eat something more bulking such as a banana or peanut butter with crackers and see if that helps.

Your welcome dear, try not to drink, drinking is not good for us.

I'm at 15 months from take down and my first year was a little rough. I had a few bouts of pouchitis and also cuffitis. So early or not, it could be pouchitis. It's gotten much better overall, although this week has been a rough one and I'm on flagyl. I had a CT scan at one point early on like you. All was ok. Cuffitis was found 7 months after takedown with a scope. My point here is everyone is different and you can have issues that antibiotics will help soon after takedown. I don't tell you this to scare you, because I've had a lot of really good days and am absolutely glad I got the pouch. I've traveled and done well, eat what I want most days, and go 6 to 8 times a day when I'm not having issues. I am a worrier too, always wondering. But just because you are having something early on doesn't mean you will always have problems. My surgeon told me 2 year mark is a good indicator of how pouch will be. Also, I do find when I'm out I do better. I think because I'm not thinking about the pouch. I don't currently use immodium or metamucil.  Hang in there! It just keeps getting better.

Thank you for the words of encouragement Kmiller!

Got the results of my CT Scan back - nothing major with the pouch, but as suspected there's pouchitis milling about. I've been put on flagyl for six weeks and I'm almost already a week in and have been controlling the urgency better - last night I only got up twice to use the restroom. My surgeon did mention the possibility of incorporating Remicade into my treatment, but wanted me to speak with my GI doctor. If it comes to that, it is what it is, but has anyone found that adjusting their diet has helped keep pouchitis at bay? I've been eating a half banana for the past couple days and that seems to help with bulking things up, and if I'm away from the home for long periods I'll take half an immodium pill. I'm trying to stay away from sugar and have started putting raw honey in my morning coffee as a substitute, slowly but surely trying to modify my diet.

Any and all advice is welcome!