Skip to main content

Before I begin, I'm probably suffering from paranoia resulting from the constant disappointment of UC and a few post-op complications.

 

I had my step one of two performed on 19th December. Around New Years as I was released from the hospital I noticed that I was passing stool-colored mucus. Gradually the color became more white/clear but laced with blood streaks. This has continued, along with some urge to empty. I also notice a few drops of not quite fresh blood. I still have an urge to bear down and I'm not sure how much of that is just residual UC tendencies.

Is this all really normal? I'm more worried about the fact that the blood comes in the form of drops too and that it still has not stopped. I know that I've been through so much and that I feel like I'm looking over my shoulder expecting IBD to come back somehow.

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

This is probably in the realm of typical. It could be cuffitis, but it is just too soon to tell. Things are just going to be funky down there while healing occurs. It is also typical to assume the worst. Some people just have to stop coming here for a while because they keep imagining that they see themselves in every post.

 

Hard to find that happy medium of being alert, but not paranoid. So, basically, take note of wther this gradually improves or gets worse. 

 

Jan

Thanks for the responses, Jan.

 

I was prescribed Proctofoam HC enemas to make the inflammation die down.

 

My colorectal fellow seems pretty unconcerned about it, but I'm concerned about:

A) Feeling really poorly after takedown due to cuffitis

B) He is maybe not taking this seriously enough. I have seen a study showing that only 40% of cuffitis patients are well-responsive to topical therapies. I am interested in neither bidaily enemas for life or the possibility of harsher drugs. He insists that it will resolve and not be a big deal, but I have learned to be suspicious of doctors' assurances.

 

I expected that getting a pouch would not be without its challenges, but developing cuffitis before takedown seems like an abysmal start to my pouching life.

 

Any advice?

Or, you can look at it this way. Wringing your hands with worry will not change the outcome. It will only increase your stress hormones and make things worse. So, you may as well assume that this is diversionary and will improve with take-down. You have just as much chance of that being true as a worst case scenario, perhaps more. 

 

We all hope for a perfect surgical outcome with no complications. We don't always get what we want. If you hope for the best, while preparing for the worst you will be OK. I won't sugar coat it. Sometimes stuff happens. I have had many complications and I am OK. Not what I would choose, but I am OK.

 

Jan

 

 

Last edited by Jan Dollar

Add Reply

Post
Copyright © 2019 The J-Pouch Group. All rights reserved.
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×