I thought my “Stoma” bottles were over

Hi, due to UC, I had my colon removed in 1984. Through a number of complications and failures, I decided to have a continent ileostomy with a J pouch in 2000. This gave me a much greater quality of life and has performed admirably. After 25 years, I am now having issues. I am told that the best option will be to revert back to a typical ileostomy. Given my age, I am concerned about how this will affect my remaining years, which I hope will be many. Has anyone had similar issues or any comments?

Hi Mad Carpenter, you lasted a lot longer with a j-pouch than I did. I had five not-so-great years with mine and opted for a permanent ostomy ten years ago and have never looked back. The maintenance may be more with an ostomy than a j-pouch, but it has given me my life back. I'm sure you'll get more replies, and I hope they help with your decision, whatever it is.

I only lasted one year; that was enough.

You don't say what problems you're having with your J-pouch, but just as your J-pouch gave you a better quality of life 25 years ago, an ileostomy will do the same again. Now you will be able to do anything and go anywhere without a second thought.

I'm still trying to figure out what a stoma bottle is?🤷‍♂️

My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister

I assumed "battles."

Aaah.. that would work.. "battles"..

It's Friday. And I wasn't wearing my thinking hat. 🤦.

Hi MC, good luck with whatever decision you make.

Sorry, that's my sick sense of humor. I've been dealing with ostomy issues since 1983. What I used to refer to as battles, I eventually decided that it wasn't worth my time worrying about the problem of the day. Now, whenever there's an issue that I used to worry about, I typically have a drink and have a few laughs. Just changed the word from battle to bottle. The one thing everyone with IBD needs the most is a sense of humor, no matter how warped that may be.

I'm glad to hear that you're doing well with an ostomy. My history is pretty complicated; I originally had a K pouch, which eventually was abandoned due to pouchitis. I had a typical ostomy for 13 years but kept developing polyps. After about 5 revisions, I had the older J pouch technology. I was told that there were typical complications but didn't have many options. I have been thrilled that I didn't have any complications for 25 years, and now I'm having issues with both inflammation of the pouch as well as valve problems. Apparently, there are no surgeons that will revise a J pouch any longer as it is old technology.

Brother, join the club of sick sense of humor.

Or is it "sixth sense of humor?"

No matter. I likey. Welcome to the front butt club.