Intro:
I am in the Canadian Military and first noticed symptoms while on exercise. I play a lot of sports and workout daily.
Current Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis:
I currently have no UC symptoms.
Lewis’s J Pouch Story:
I just had my first surgery of three. I am having a J-Pouch created over three surgeries.
I was sick of being on meds and the risks of the medications, I felt personally were outweighing the risks of surgery for me.
I feel a thousand times better ever since I had my first surgery and got off all meds. I am very glad with the decision I made.
A week after the surgery I was working out with light weights again. I was not even in the hospital for 72 hours and was sent home. I was feeling great.
The recovery wasn’t that bad at all. And seeing my stoma didn’t matter to me none either. It was so much better than being sick that I didn’t care about any of that.
I have had no problems with the bag and find it just became a part of my regular routine right away. I empty it about 5 times a day I would say and change the bag and flange once a week min to twice a week at most. There has been no problems with it sticking to my skin, no rashes, etc. It does get a bit itchy having something covering that part of my stomach all the time, but not that bad at all.
It has been so nice to be able to eat again. I have gained 35 pounds since surgery as I was really sick. I had to have an emergency colon removal, that’s how bad it had gotten. Glad I did, weirdly enough, now.
My wife makes things super easy too.
I was wondering what to expect about the second surgery, where the J pouch is created. I also was wondering how anybody who has had it done, if they experienced any problems with sex, etc afterwards.
Medication Experiences:
I have been on lots of pred, aza and others.
written by Lewis G
submitted in the colitis venting area
My name is Lewis. I am from Ontario Canada. I first saw signs of UC in March 2013. I was diagnosed with UC in Dec 13.
