How long does a j-pouch last?

Since surgery is looking more and more like my only option, I have been coming up with some questions for the j-pouchers and more knowledgeable folks here.

The big question that I haven't been able to find through a lot of searching of various forums is how long does the j-pouch actually last? I am only 27 years old and, if I am lucky enough, I would need it to hold up for 40-50 years. Is that even possible? Has the j-pouch even been around long enough to see if it can last?

Any extra information would be much appreciated!

-Deleuze
UC Pancolitis flare since April 2007.
Colazal, Probiotics, Multi-vitamin, Imuran, Rowasa as needed, and starting a new prednisone taper and first remicade treatment soon.

Thanks Sue.

I figured it hadn't been around long enough to see if it will be stable for 40-50 years. I hate not knowing for sure, but I guess that's my own issue!

You make a good point that it isn't synthetic but organic, but it is still an artificially created apparatus. That is what concerns me that maybe after a certain period of time it just gives out.

The reality is I don't have any other options though, so a j-pouch is inevitable.

-Deleuze

Remember too that surgeries are perfected over the years. If in 30 years you should have a problem with your jpouch there most likely would be a surgical fix for it. Knowledge improves, techniques improve and the result is that we will be the recipient of those improvements.

Sue

It'll last as long as you do. :)

I considered the surgery to be painful but hey, what surgery isn't? The hospital always does a great job keeping people comfortable with the pain meds.

" although a JPOUCH presents a change in lifestyle"

Why does it have to be a change in lifestyle. What did that mean for you. Why can't we have a normal lifestyle?

"Cuz we're screwed dude. A jpouch may, undoubtedly improve one's quality but there is no going back to the pre-uc days."

why, I want old pre-uc days.

Somedude said...
" although a JPOUCH presents a change in lifestyle"

Why does it have to be a change in lifestyle. What did that mean for you. Why can't we have a normal lifestyle?

I haven't changed my lifestyle by having a j pouch. Not sure what that's supposed to mean.

Anyway, I just realized the beginning of this thread was from 2008. I wasn't paying attention.

I think the biggest issue is that we are not taught my the medical system to care for our pouch properly.

I have had a pouch for 13 years and it took me 8 years after having my op to realise for myself what damage I was causing my pouch.

For a start, getting pouchitis and then taking antibiotics is a cycle you don't want to get caught in… that will be your life… Taking antibiotics wiped your good bacteria which you need in order to keep your whole digestive tract and most importantly your pouch, clean and clear. If you do take antibiotics, you MUST supplement with a good 3 month course of probiotics.

I think we should be on constant probiotics anyways - all with a pouch - its just always keeping you on the safe side. And to be honest, with the excessive amount of carbs generally eaten by the peculation, we should probably all be on probiotics all the time.

The key is really to prevent yourself from ever getting infections - pouchitis. The more you get this over your lifetime, the more your push degrades. So eating a diet that is tailored to someone with a pouch is paramount.

I've actually gone back to school to study to be a Naturopathic Nutritionist because I believe so much we need to be educating people of the world how and what to eat.

Safe pouch diet to keep your pouch for as long as possible…

CUT OUT
Gluten (zoulin in gluten damages gut cell tight junctions creating a permeable gut = leaky gut)
Sugar ferments in the gut and causes gut dysbiosis - overproduction of bad bacteria that excretes waste in your gut and stops the good bacteria from doing its job aka digesting food, trapping invaders like heavy metals, nasties etc)
Red meat doesn't digest well and rots in your stomach creating inflammation and infection
LIMIT TO A MINIMUM
Starchy flours and veggies that break down into sugar - see above
Dairy (cows) which is hard to digest as we don't have lactose - sheep and goat products are ok but should still be kept as a treat
Alcohol breaks down as sugar see above and also damages gut cells
Grains could damage gut wall cells if you have leaky gut
Simple carbohydrates - again pasta, rice etc all break down into sugar see above

WHAT TO EAT??

Fish
Veggies
Herbs
Plants
Flowers
Nuts and Seeds preferably soaked for 24 hours to prevent them from damaging the gut wall, nut butters are AMAZING
Pulses and legumes soaked for 24 hours also see above

So how do you treat yourself??

There are amazing products out there, you just have to look and find them…

Cashew nut ice cream in different flavours
Sweet potato chocolate cakes
Xylitol substitute for sugar
Coconut flour bread
Cornbread
Frozen banana coated in raw cacao sauce then frozen
ETC ETC

The worst thing you could do is to keep behaving and eating the same things as you did pre-op… Keep your pouch for life by making the corrections to your diet you need to keep your gut inflammation free!

PS - I have not had pouchitis for 3 years now due to changing my diet and hopefully I never will get it ever again!
WITH BIG LOVE