I've never felt the need to join a support group for my history with UC and JPouch.  I had UC for 6 years and my got-my-life back J Pouch surgery on October 3, 1995.  TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO!!!  I had the ileostomy for 7 weeks and then the reversal.  I was 28 years old and my reversal was 2 weeks before my 29th birthday. I was determined to not be "sick" when I turned 29!!  I will be 54 in December...  25 years ago!!!! 

I still deal with things that I was told would be "normal"..  occassional leaking at night.  It is very rare now.  I have adhesional pain from time to time (totally normal) and I have high output days....  I try to make sure I stay hydrated on those days. For the most part, I eat whatever I want and when I want it.  I am very careful with making sure I chew broccoli, carrots, mushrooms thoroughly and almost too much before swallowing.  I made a huge mistake a couple of years ago when I made a coconut cake and I ate way too much coconut.  I had a very hard time passing that. I think it formed a snowball of "goo"...  all I know is I struggled with that.. but it sure tasted good!!

The ONLY reason I have joined today is that I have started taking Turmeric for several weeks now, daily.  I have noticed my high output days have decreased tremendously.  And, less water.  As you know, some days are just pure water output.. those days can be tough and I am a user of Vit. A & D ointment on the anal tissue area (it's in the baby care section-). A & D ointment is a staple in my self-care  arsenal.

I do not go to the doctor for my J-pouch unless I have something outside of "my" level of normal.  After 25 years I know my body and I know what is normal for me, and what could be a problem. 

Did I mention that I am a Registered Nurse of 30 years?  My back ground is Critical Care Adult Medicine.  My illness/ surgery has helped so many others believe they will get well and back to living again (trauma patients, abdominal surgery, spine surgery). Not just UC/ Jpouch patients.  I have traveled around the world on mission trips and for pleasure trips, without my surgery, I am sure I would have never been able to do all that.  I have lived with my Jpouch faithfully in tow!

I wanted to tell others who might have the high output issues,  that Turmeric has really helped me.  I hope it will help someone else too.  And, A & D ointment, apply to anal area at night or a light coating for during the day, it helps ease that burning feeling, "down there".  ** I am not prescribing this, I am suggesting due to how much it helps me.

Best Wishes and Pouch-on!

Suzie_B4, RN

North Carolina