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I've had my J-pouch since 1998.  It's been pretty successful for me, and got me off those darn steroids... so I'm happy.   But, sometimes when I'm having "issues" (i.e. just liquid output -- mostly water), I wonder if I may be starting with pouchitis, or maybe a gastrointestinal bug, or maybe even a blockage.  Any advice on how you tell the difference?  My greatest fear is that I would not recognize a blockage, and end up with serious issues.  But, I feel silly going to the Dr. if it's just a good old gastro bug.   Any words of wisdom appreciated. 

 

-- Linda

 

Last edited by lclassen
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Hi Linda,

Although I am not an expert I can usually tell the difference between when I have a blockage or a bug...in my case (k pouch) a bug gives me some cramping, nausea and a lot of liquid output but a blockage starts with pain in one specific site, slows my output or even blocks it off completely and I cannot eat anything (I throw up if anything including water goes in).

Personally bug means go and blockage means stop.

But everyone is different...try to keep a diary when you have one or the other and track your symptoms...you will soon find patterns that you can follow.

Sharon

 

Partial blockages and gastrointestinal viruses *can* have some overlapping symptoms, in the sense that both can be associated with cramping, bloating, very watery stools, and/or nausea/vomiting. You could also have a low grade fever with both (though with an obstruction, a fever may point to a more serious case that requires hospital treatment). However, partial blockages are usually distinguishable by sharp, wave-like cramping, whereas  a virus usually causes a general "all over" abdominal crampiness rather than sharp waves (at least in my experience). No output whatsoever in association with any or all of the above symptoms likely signifies a full obstruction and would require urgent medical intervention.

 

If watery stool is the only symptom you are having, it's probably not a blockage. I have (unfortunately) had several partial blockages and I am almost invariably in some degree of physical distress when these occur; just something to keep in mind. Your symptoms sound mild at this point.  I think most pouchers have probably had a day or two of watery stool that didn't amount to anything. It could be diet related (if this is an intermittent issue you may want to keep a general food diary so you can easily trace back your symptoms to what you've eaten), or it could be a mild virus that will run its course in a couple of days. If the symptoms persist but do not worsen, then I'd be more suspicious of a brewing case of pouchitis, especially if you have urgency or increased frequency. But sometimes the only symptom of pouchitis is persistent watery stool, so if this is ongoing it wouldn't hurt to have it checked out.

 

With all of the above in mind, though, I don't think you should be embarrassed to call your GI. In my opinion, any change in your baseline function, if it doesn't resolve within a week or so, is worth mentioning.

 

 

 

Last edited by Spooky

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