Pouchitis

[Shaz]

Pouchitis:

Pouchitis is an inflammation inside the pouch. Although the cause is not fully understood, research is continuing in this area. It appears to be prevalent in those who previosly suffered from u/c, suggesting the underlying cause may be a change in the auto-immune system. Few FAP patients, if any, appear to get pouchitis with a J pouch.
10-20 % of patients may be affected at various times and in varying degrees. Some people may never have an episode of pouchitis whilst other have several.

Symptoms of pouchitis include:

Diarrhoea
Bleeding
Occasional joint pains
Fever
Tiredness
Occasionally abdominal cramps
A general feeling of being unwell.

This may sound all too familiar for those who have had u/c, but rest assured that pouchitis is only rarely anything other than short lived and less severe. Indeed, if recognised quickly, which it usually is, you may experience only some of the symptoms and these are but shadows of those from u/c. In severe cases which are relatively severe, pouchitis is not happy experience and in very serious, long term cases which do not respond to treatment can result in the failure of the J Pouch; however, do please remember that this is a relatively rare scenario where j pouches are concerned as a whole.

Diagnosis:

A biopsy of the pouch lining may be necessary whilst in outpatients dept. which will also give a further understanding of it. However this isn?t always necessary.
Treatment consists of a short course (1 to 2 weeks) of antibiotics, usually flagyl or in cases that are more persistent, ciprofloxin. If inflammation still persists, other antibiotics may be followed by steroids usually in the form of suppositories so that the inflamed area can be treated locally.

~ Ali