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J-pouch- fissure question


Sat, January 09, 2016 2:42 PM

Hi everyone,

I have had a j-pouch since 2013. Since the surgeries, I have been dealing with abscesses, fistulas and other peri-anal issues leading to a Crohn's debate that remains officially unsolved, although I think we work on the theory of Crohns as a diagnosis. 

I am currently on Cimzia (as Humira failed me before surgery, I built up antibodies to Remicade and Imuran did nothing for my GI symptoms). I recently went back onto Imuran as well as combination therapy to help with autoimmune arthritis.

Cimzia has been helping to some degree, but I continue to have occasional abscesses, and more recently other symptoms are popping back up, like mouth ulcers and adhesion pain (all of which calmed down for a couple of months).

For the last few days, I had experienced pain in the pouch again, like it was inflamed. Yesterday, I experienced what feels to be a fissure. I had a very painful bowel movement with a decent amount of blood. Each bowel movement since, I have had blood. Given that I have a pouch and ongoing issue, I go 10+ times a day, and it is never solid (never has been since surgery).

I decided to play out the weekend and see if it eases up on it's own, but want to be cautious, as infection can't be a good thing with the anatomy I have. I don't want to do anything to put my pouch at risk.

Has anyone had any similar experiences? Does anyone know if it is ok to let it play out, or should I be more concerned and visit the GI? I am sure I am not the only one who hates that damn endoscopy bed and doesn't want to go through an exam for no reason :)

Thanks for any advice you have.

FPO laura4164
Joined Jul 31, 2008

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