About three weeks ago I noticed I have been feeling slightly off. My fatigue was a major problem once again and having stomach/intestinal pain off and on. One night, I was up basically all night just so uncomfortable with either being in pain or using the bathroom (probably got up at least 6 times). The next day, I was facing major nausea and fatigue as well. I even had to leave class early due to feeling like I was going to throw up in class.
I talked with my doctor and we both figured that I might have Pouchitis.
I know I have talked about Pouchitis in many of my posts before because I knew it could potentially be an issue after getting my last J-Pouch surgery.
Pouchitis is .... "the inflammation of the lining of a pouch that is surgically created in the treatment of ulcerative colitis or certain other diseases. Many people with serious ulcerative colitis end up having their diseased colon removed and the bowel reconnected with this procedure, called ileoanal anastomosis (IPAA) or J-pouch surgery. Surgeons use the end of the small intestine (ileum) to create a pouch shaped like the letter J. The pouch is attached internally to the area just above the anus to hold waste before it's eliminated. Pouchitis is a complication of IPAA that occurs in 23 to 46 percent of people who have the procedure. Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal pain and joint pain, cramps, fever, increased number of bowel movements, nighttime fecal seepage, fecal incontinence, and a strong feeling of the need to have a bowel movement."
Thankfully, I was very aware that this complication was possible and I knew the symptoms to look out for since the way beginning of my surgeries.
Once again, here is a picture of what MY instestines look like since my surgeries. The part that is connected to the "anus" is called the "J-Pouch" due to the way it is sewed together. That is the part that was re-inflamed.
I got a hold of my doctor and she thankfully prescribed me antibiotics to help to treat this problem. I was prescribed ciprofloxacin (Cipro) to take twice a day for 14 days. After taking two doses of this antibiotic, I felt completely back to normal.
Things are once again, back to normal and I am doing great. This episode that I had was a great reminder to me though. Even though I got my surgeries to get rid of my colitis, I will always have symptoms with IBD and sometimes I forget about that. Having IBD complications, in one way or another, is something I will have to face throughout my entire life. I was thankful that I was educated enough about my symptoms in order to catch my problem in time.
Other than that, I am so happy to announce that I am currently waiting to hear back from a Nursing Intern position at Swedish Covenant Hospital for this summer. I am so hopeful that I will get this position. I am also so happy that I am eligible to apply for a scholarship from Abbvie for college students who have Crohn's or colitis. The application is due March 25th and they pick 15 winners to receieve $15,000 for the next school year. Fingers crossed.
Until next time.
xoxo
--JKL
