Problem... 2

Could be gas pains. When things slow down any undigested carbs get digested by bacteria, which can cause a lot of gas. I had pain so severe I could swear I was having a gallbladder attack. Turned out I had pouchitis and Flagyl did the trick.

Tight clothing can definitely make a difference, by preventing free movement in the gut. I'd get some bigger pants to accommodate for the extra layers.

Jan

Maybe an enema would help. It could be gas pains as well. I've use my bidet's "turbo" function to give myself little enemas when feeling this sort of pain before. My GI said it was okay to do so. There's always the drink grape juice and/or switch to a soft diet for a while too.

Haha.... I put on 33 inch pants and they kept falling down in my coveralls. I had two pairs of under armour on that were tight. I had the pain when I had urges but now I have the urges under control the pain shows up very clearly. I think the urges were masking the pain. I don't know... I am no Dr that's for sure.
I still have Bm's and no blood or anything.
I called the surgeon and am waiting now for a callback.
I see an mri in my future. I am so afraid of going back in the hospital or losing my pouch. I just cringe if they have to operate.
I drank a cup of prune juice this morning. Won't be long before that works. I will hold off on the enema for now.
Richard.

I don't remember what problems you've had in the past - if any. From what you've posted here I doubt you have anything that is going to make you lose your j-pouch.

They may order a small bowel study, or whatever name they use for it, you as it's cheaper than an MRI. I keep hoping they will do a MRI instead of a CTscan or the small bowel study. I hate drinking barium and contrast for imaging!!! I've found that straws are a good ally in drinking this crap. I even take my own with just in case they've run out of them, the last rad tech looked at me strange when I had my straws ready. She was the one that didn't give me a straw before. IMP we naturally prefer to remember bad things better than good things.

I'm not surprised that you had pain while wearing what you describe above. I wish I could wear spanks and tighter jeans but I can't as they pain me. I'm into baggy clothing around my abdomen. I hope whatever is causing your problem(s) is discovered quickly. I usually have 2-3 problems at a time, which makes it difficult for me to know what is causing what symptoms.

I started using suspenders instead of a belt many years ago exactly to eliminate pressure on my abdomen. I don't know if there's a way for you to take advantage of that approach, but I thought it might be worth mentioning.

Scott.
My jeans are loose. It's the long johns the are pretty snug.
I took a 3 day weekend to see if the pain would go away... But it hasn't so I am going to let my surgeon know I am headed to the ER. I have an appointment in two days but I cannot wait. Pain means there is something wrong.
Hopefully nothing serious. Adhesions. I don't know what they feel like if torn.
It hurts when I stand... Move around... Somewhat when I bm but not as bad as standing. Just weird. Need an mri done. I have had it for quite while and it's not subsiding so it's time to go.
I hate hospitals! Needles... Lol that. Never bothered me before surgery. Oh well gotta go. I will get back to everyone to what it is if they find out. Big if.
Richard.



Update already.
CT scan..... Yuuuuck! I have had one and it was not a pleasant experience. She said not to eat but I was halfway thru a breakfast sandwich and had to stop. Oh well.
Update.......again



Had the scan. Different than the last one but alot of waiting and still in a lot of pain.
Feels like a partial blockage but I did have a Bm. So now I have a Dr appointment in the morning. I hope they can give me an answer and I keep my fingers crossed it's not serious.
I did notice that if reclined the pain subsides. But if I stand it gets real bad. It's there all the time but standing brings it on strong. Maybe something broke loose. Thinking the worst hoping for the best.
Richard.

Update at bottom of post above.
Richard.

Hi Richard,

You did the right thing in going in, it made them do testing. I didn't realize it is so bad when you stand. The stupid barium small bowel study I had last time didn't show anything, other than it took a long long time to work through my intestines. I didn't have the test until days after the partial obstruction so they just took my word about what happened. The results showed they were inflamed IMO. My surgeon said that these things would happen from time to time and basically that I had to live with partial blockages. That is why I'm glad you got tested now.

I'm still hoping you don't have anything too serious.

Thanks for keeping us updated.

It's 8 am. I will know in a few hours. I slept well. But.. As soon as I stood up I was doubled over. Jeez I hope they don't have to go back in there. Dread. I want to find out but am hoping it is an easy fix. As painful as it is I question that. I have missed 4 days of work. I gotta get back to work. I have not recovered from the 9 months I was off!
Thank you for the best wishes..... Richard.

Ok... Just got back. Short and not sweet but short.
She said she saw an abnormality on the scan.
1. May be a perforation.
2. I may have crohn's.
I was diagnosed with UC 20 yrs ago and it may have been a wrong diagnosis.
She put me on prednisone and pain meds.
That's all.
I hope it's not crohn's .
Will I lose my pouch if it is?
The spot that is suspicious is not in my pouch.
Thanks All!
Richard.

If your pouch isn't having a problem there's no reason to give losing it any thought. People with Crohn's (or possible Crohn's) can even have new pouches constructed (I did, 12 yearss ago). Even if it's Crohn's, you'll likely be just fine once they get your situation figured out. Just because Crohn's can be awful doesn't mean most cases are particularly awful.

Good luck, Richard. If it's a perforation I'm not surprised it hurts like heck.

Thank you for the encouragement Scott. I appreciate it.
One question.
She did say perforation.
That seems like it would leak into the abdomen.
I guess if it were serious she would have done something besides prescribe meds.
Maybe she meant ulceration?
I don't think she would make that mistake.
They... Surgeon and radiologist... Are not sure what it is.
It was like I said... she said an abnormality.
I guess she is guessing the at best at what the scan showing.
She did say if I get a fever to go in. And I will.
I am not bleeding... It does not hurt after I eat.. No vomiting.
I still have Bm's.
I will definitely think positive.
Thanks again Scott.
Good to know.

I agree, Richard - you shouldn't/wouldn't have been sent home with a true perforation, I think. Do they have a plan for how to work out what's going on? More tests?

A chronic perforation is different than an acute one. An acute one is like a ruptured appendix; a sudden event. Chronic perforation occurs gradually over a period of time, with time for the body to wall it off from the bloodstream.

You were probably sent home based on your condition and stable state. Staying in the hospital when not absolutely necessary just exposes you to infection. So, just monitor uour symptoms and keep a daily log of your temperature to note any trends.

Jan

Thank you too Jan for the information and the distinction between the two. Interesting.
Scott.
She put me on prednisone for about 10 days to bring the swelling down. No more tests. Said it may speed up the healing too. I know it makes my nails and hair grow faster. LOL.
It didn't hurt when I got up this morning. I didn't take any pain pills overnight. It doubled me over when I got up the morning before though. I don't think prednisone works that fast. I do feel where it is......bit of pain and warmth.. .. Now that I know the area where it is.
She is a very smart woman and is very dedicated to her work and patients. I trust her.
But I do wonder at times.. No Scott... She didn't schedule nothing but an appointment in two weeks.
Jan... I will monitor my temp... I am going back to work today but I told my wife if it is too painful to sit and drive I will come home and rest till next Monday. I think that is enough time to heal. I think. I don't know how long it would take a perforation to heal. All the time off I have.
Richard.