J-Pouch to ileostomy

[DKinMN]

I was diagnosed with Familial Polyposis in 2002 and given a j-pouch at the Mayo Clinic.  I was excited to find I wouldn't need a temporary ileostomy and was never told about possible future complications.  My first indication of a problem came six months after surgery.  I went to the doctor not feeling well and found I was two numbers away from a blood transfusion, because what I thought was just a different color in stool once in awhile was blood I had been losing.  I was diagnosed with pouchitis and ciproflaxacin and have never been off of it since.  My doctors agreed that my pouchitis is post-operative, for some reason, and they just don't know why, but my blood vessels in the pouch didn't survive the surgery.  A year ago I had two episodes of what felt like a food blockage and seven procedures later found out it was a narrowing just above my pouch that was only open 3mm allowing my food to pass through.  A balloon procedure was successful, but my doctor isn't sure how long it will last.  I usually take two motrin every night before bed and it takes any soarness I have on my insides and butt away so I can sleep.  My doctor has suggested, for the second time, that I would have a much better quality of life if I would just give up my j-pouch and go for an ileostomy.  There is no chance of my pouch ever healing and I can't live without the cipro and 6 imodium (immodium) a day.  There are several reasons to say it's time to pull the plug and few to say no, but I am scared and need convincing that it's a good option.

[worried878]

sounds as tho the j-pouch is not working for u..pouchitis is common and complications do occur..it is one of the reasons they usually give someone an ilestomy in the first place   if the j pouch works it is a great thing..but ileostomies are not horrible..the stool have very little if any odor..little gas if any  and i u get a good stoma no one will ever know u have it...let me know if u need any help.i am an ostomy nurse and help people with their pouches etc all the time

[DKinMN]

Thanks for the advice.  I finally got to meet someone, for the first time last week, that actually has an ileostomy.  I have an appt. at the Mayo on Friday with a surgeon and I am nervous, but I know there is no fixing my j-pouch and I just keep prolonging the inevitable.  I will take you up on your offer for help if I keep the courage to follow through with surgery this summer.
Darla
DKinMN