Your vid could not have popped up at a better time. I had just finished a good ole cry sesh given how crazy life's been, and seeing this made me feel a bit better knowing that I'm not the only one with bad days. I'm 21 and have had my pouch for 8 months after watching your vids for years with an ileostomy. It hasn't been smooth sailing due to strictures, leaking, pouchitis. It's gotten better but bad days are still there. I give myself some grace, reminding myself that I don't have a colon. Again, it's nice to see a familiar face while this time rocking a new clean cut.
Sorry you’re going through such a tough time man but keep your chin up. We’re a lot better off than what we used to be, and remember tough times don’t last, tough people do. Stick with it Kevan
Three year j pouch guy here. For the people that are new to this, It’s tough in the beginning but once you get use to your routine every day life gets easier. You learn your body after a while again. I recommend Metamucil Powder once or twice a day. It bulks up the stool and actually gives you energy. I got used to going about 4 or 5 times a day but thank god I can at least hold it until I go. With UC I couldn’t hold it. That was tough. But I’m glad your posting again brother. It’s nice to know there’s a community out there that we can all reach out too.
I've researched the metamucil but I can find that it's used for constipation? So how is bulking up the stool helping people with constipation? I've had my J pouch for 3 years as well and for me it's perfect. I only suffer from the health anxiety as well. Have difficulty travellingf because of it. Avoid travelling all the time. Kinda sucks with 2 toddlers.
Great comment, Ron. I am 18 months in to my J-Pouch life. The first 4 weeks I would say were rough (trying to remember how long) as my body adapted (lets be honest- your body wasn't designed to use your small bowel for that function). But I went from going 15, 20+ times a day with immense social anxiety, constantly worried I wouldn't have access to a restroom, to living nearly worry free. Occasionally I get glimpses of the anxiety, but I remind myself that since my body settled into its new norm, I've never once been in a situation where I could not calmly get to (or wait) for a restroom. No more contingency planning in my head. As my colorectal surgeon told me before surgery, living with a J-Pouch "isn't awesome... having a normal functioning colon is awesome. But this is not a bad alternative compared to the UC I battled for 10 years". I appreciated that honest insight. This is 100x better than I had it before. (of course still a little jealous of all those normies with normal functioning colons 😉)
@@SMASHesportsgg Metamucil acts as a binding agent by absorbing the water in your stool (as a colon does) but if you have to much it backs you up and can be uncomfortable. It’s all about finding that balance and what works for your pouch. I hate flying to, very very anxious flyer since surgery.
Life with the pouch ain't always easy, but honestly for the most part life is good. It is a million times better than having a bag. Your info and help has made my journey so much better and easier and you've given me better advice, than my surgeons and doctors. So much respect to you for helping me and so many people. This video is spot on. You're a great guy. Such an honor too, to call you a friend and a brother.
@@metalgeniusjoe5602 100% Joe! That’s the reality of it dude, life is better, just take the good days with the bad man, as long as there’s more good then bad, we are winning 🏆 Absolutely dude, a bond like no other mate 🍻👊🤝
MY CLOSE FRIEND IS A WELL KNOWN ARTIST❤ HE HAS HAD CROHENS 🎉..SO SOMEHOW I WAS INTRODUCED TO YOUR CHANNEL 🎉..YOU ARE RIGHT ON..I RESPECT YOUR HINESTY..NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS...HOLISTIC FOODS..HOW TO EAT IS HELPING MANY...IT HITS OUT OF NOWHERE...🎉 I HAVE BEEN WITH MY FRIEND IN HOSPITALS..ER SITUATIONS... YOUR CHANNEL SHOULD BE MORE VISIBLE...AS YOU ARE HELPING OTHERE.I TRY TO COMMENT TO HELP THE ALGORITHMS.... SORRY ABOUT YOUR GOLF GAME😢 IT HAPPENS.. BUT YOUR HONESTY IS VERY IMPORTANT...I HOPE YOU STABILIZE AND FEEL BETTER..ONLY GOOD WISHES FROM CALIFORNIA 🎉
Could you say how it's better than a bag please bud? I'm seriously in two minds between. permanent bag or j-pouch. The only plus I see with the j-pouch is a physical thing, ie not having the bag.
@@maxdavids5445 to be honest bro it’s all personal preference. I didn’t mind the bag at all, but it interferes with my lifestyle, bjj, Muay Thai, surfing, you know? Once I slow down on those activities, I wouldn’t mind having the bag bag when I’m older, but then on the other hand, I might just keep the pouch. They both have pros and cons dude, but it’s a very personal decision mate.
I always appreciate hearing another's experience with having one. my J-pouch is 16 years old. It gave me my life back and I spent probably 12 out of those 16 years back to 'normal' life. Now in my 30's I have more health issues and have to be much stricter with what I eat and such but I am still happy for what it has given to me
Glad to hear your pouch gave you 12 good years. Sorry to hear about the new health issues, good to see you’re not giving up and still happy with life 🙂 good trekking 🤛🏽🤛🏽
Good work j-pouch king, hehe. You've been there since the beginning of my j-pouch journey. I have health anxiety too, It's terrible, I need medication for it. Once I feel a little pain I get so scared because I had 2 years of going to the ER monthly due to blockages. Turned out my intestines were twisted, a surgery helped. 10 years without a colon and still rollin'. Thanks for your 11 years of work and info.
@@wanderotter4667 sucks to hear you have health anxiety to , glad you’re doing your best to be on top of it, 10 years WOW, congratulations 🙌🏽 Thanks for sharing, good to hear from you again 🙂
I had my JPouch surgery 10 years ago and my life is 90% back to normal. All my life I was a foodie, and for me I had to embrace sugar is the devil, so is fried foods, spicy, and high fiber, raw veggies and beans. The biggest thing that made my life normal was taking psyllium husk powder in am and pm , it allows you to work out , take walks, and do sports. Hang in there everyone it really does get better. It’s all about the food , don’t let the dr. Tell you otherwise.
Lovely words and I couldn’t agree more about the husk, stuff’s a game changer don’t it. So glad your life’s back on track and you can do and eat all the things you love 🫶🏻
I recently had a j pouch surgery and its been so hard trying to get used to it and controlling when i use the bathroom and i have health anxiety too. Im doing a lot better now thankfully though. I had my surgery on august the 7th last month. I wore a bag for 4 years before i had it reversed and i had my colon taken out because of ulcerlative colitus
Health anxiety sucks! Let me know if you need any extra support, I can always add you to my WhatsApp group, I have loads of nice people in there dealing with the same thing as you, all at different stages of reversal. 😊
@@jpouchboy-lifewithaj-pouch5105 thank you brother and your videos have really helped me just knowing there are people out there going through the same thing. You seem like a cool dude and you have a really good attitude about and i i do too but its just been hard i geuss just trying to get used to it but i know it will get better over time
I also have good days and bad days. Sleep is an issue I get about 6 hours at best before I got to get up. I still sleep in diaper just in case lol I'm curious do you get up at night or can you sleep all the the way thru?
Great question, I still get up once a night usually, if I’m on track with diet and routine I’ll be able to sleep until about 4:30-5:30am then I need to go. But some days are worse than others and I’ll be up 3/4 times, that’s rare but it happens.
Your vid could not have popped up at a better time. I had just finished a good ole cry sesh given how crazy life's been, and seeing this made me feel a bit better knowing that I'm not the only one with bad days. I'm 21 and have had my pouch for 8 months after watching your vids for years with an ileostomy. It hasn't been smooth sailing due to strictures, leaking, pouchitis. It's gotten better but bad days are still there. I give myself some grace, reminding myself that I don't have a colon. Again, it's nice to see a familiar face while this time rocking a new clean cut.
Sorry you’re going through such a tough time man but keep your chin up. We’re a lot better off than what we used to be, and remember tough times don’t last, tough people do. Stick with it Kevan
Btw this is Jake , I’m just on my iPad 😊
Three year j pouch guy here. For the people that are new to this, It’s tough in the beginning but once you get use to your routine every day life gets easier. You learn your body after a while again. I recommend Metamucil Powder once or twice a day. It bulks up the stool and actually gives you energy. I got used to going about 4 or 5 times a day but thank god I can at least hold it until I go. With UC I couldn’t hold it. That was tough. But I’m glad your posting again brother. It’s nice to know there’s a community out there that we can all reach out too.
Wonderful words there Ron, couldn’t have said it better myself, thanks for sharing bro, and glad your enjoying life to the fullest now mate ❤
I've researched the metamucil but I can find that it's used for constipation? So how is bulking up the stool helping people with constipation? I've had my J pouch for 3 years as well and for me it's perfect. I only suffer from the health anxiety as well. Have difficulty travellingf because of it. Avoid travelling all the time. Kinda sucks with 2 toddlers.
Great comment, Ron. I am 18 months in to my J-Pouch life. The first 4 weeks I would say were rough (trying to remember how long) as my body adapted (lets be honest- your body wasn't designed to use your small bowel for that function). But I went from going 15, 20+ times a day with immense social anxiety, constantly worried I wouldn't have access to a restroom, to living nearly worry free. Occasionally I get glimpses of the anxiety, but I remind myself that since my body settled into its new norm, I've never once been in a situation where I could not calmly get to (or wait) for a restroom. No more contingency planning in my head. As my colorectal surgeon told me before surgery, living with a J-Pouch "isn't awesome... having a normal functioning colon is awesome. But this is not a bad alternative compared to the UC I battled for 10 years". I appreciated that honest insight. This is 100x better than I had it before. (of course still a little jealous of all those normies with normal functioning colons 😉)
@@ryan_abraham couldn’t agree more , thanks for sharing that Ryan! And glad to hear you’re doing well mate.
@@SMASHesportsgg Metamucil acts as a binding agent by absorbing the water in your stool (as a colon does) but if you have to much it backs you up and can be uncomfortable. It’s all about finding that balance and what works for your pouch. I hate flying to, very very anxious flyer since surgery.
Very much appreciate you sharing this with us, hope you get back on track
❤ thank you
Thanks for sharing ! I still have a dang bag but hopefully getting the reversal surgery in coming months.
Fingers crossed for you mate, keep us updated 🙌🏽
Appreciate your vulnerability in this video mate. What your doing is helping so many people
Thanks for the love brother ❤
Life with the pouch ain't always easy, but honestly for the most part life is good. It is a million times better than having a bag. Your info and help has made my journey so much better and easier and you've given me better advice, than my surgeons and doctors. So much respect to you for helping me and so many people. This video is spot on. You're a great guy. Such an honor too, to call you a friend and a brother.
@@metalgeniusjoe5602 100% Joe! That’s the reality of it dude, life is better, just take the good days with the bad man, as long as there’s more good then bad, we are winning 🏆
Absolutely dude, a bond like no other mate 🍻👊🤝
MY CLOSE FRIEND IS A WELL KNOWN ARTIST❤ HE HAS HAD CROHENS 🎉..SO SOMEHOW I WAS INTRODUCED TO YOUR CHANNEL 🎉..YOU ARE RIGHT ON..I RESPECT YOUR HINESTY..NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS...HOLISTIC FOODS..HOW TO EAT IS HELPING MANY...IT HITS OUT OF NOWHERE...🎉 I HAVE BEEN WITH MY FRIEND IN HOSPITALS..ER SITUATIONS... YOUR CHANNEL SHOULD BE MORE VISIBLE...AS YOU ARE HELPING OTHERE.I TRY TO COMMENT TO HELP THE ALGORITHMS.... SORRY ABOUT YOUR GOLF GAME😢 IT HAPPENS.. BUT YOUR HONESTY IS VERY IMPORTANT...I HOPE YOU STABILIZE AND FEEL BETTER..ONLY GOOD WISHES FROM CALIFORNIA 🎉
Could you say how it's better than a bag please bud? I'm seriously in two minds between. permanent bag or j-pouch. The only plus I see with the j-pouch is a physical thing, ie not having the bag.
@@maxdavids5445 to be honest bro it’s all personal preference. I didn’t mind the bag at all, but it interferes with my lifestyle, bjj, Muay Thai, surfing, you know? Once I slow down on those activities, I wouldn’t mind having the bag bag when I’m older, but then on the other hand, I might just keep the pouch. They both have pros and cons dude, but it’s a very personal decision mate.
I always appreciate hearing another's experience with having one. my J-pouch is 16 years old. It gave me my life back and I spent probably 12 out of those 16 years back to 'normal' life. Now in my 30's I have more health issues and have to be much stricter with what I eat and such but I am still happy for what it has given to me
Glad to hear your pouch gave you 12 good years. Sorry to hear about the new health issues, good to see you’re not giving up and still happy with life 🙂 good trekking 🤛🏽🤛🏽
Good work j-pouch king, hehe. You've been there since the beginning of my j-pouch journey. I have health anxiety too, It's terrible, I need medication for it. Once I feel a little pain I get so scared because I had 2 years of going to the ER monthly due to blockages. Turned out my intestines were twisted, a surgery helped. 10 years without a colon and still rollin'. Thanks for your 11 years of work and info.
@@wanderotter4667 sucks to hear you have health anxiety to , glad you’re doing your best to be on top of it, 10 years WOW, congratulations 🙌🏽
Thanks for sharing, good to hear from you again 🙂
I had my JPouch surgery 10 years ago and my life is 90% back to normal. All my life I was a foodie, and for me I had to embrace sugar is the devil, so is fried foods, spicy, and high fiber, raw veggies and beans. The biggest thing that made my life normal was taking psyllium husk powder in am and pm , it allows you to work out , take walks, and do sports. Hang in there everyone it really does get better. It’s all about the food , don’t let the dr. Tell you otherwise.
Hi, do your pouch tolerate nuts well?
@@AkoTheEliteI don’t 😢
Lovely words and I couldn’t agree more about the husk, stuff’s a game changer don’t it. So glad your life’s back on track and you can do and eat all the things you love 🫶🏻
I recently had a j pouch surgery and its been so hard trying to get used to it and controlling when i use the bathroom and i have health anxiety too. Im doing a lot better now thankfully though. I had my surgery on august the 7th last month. I wore a bag for 4 years before i had it reversed and i had my colon taken out because of ulcerlative colitus
Health anxiety sucks! Let me know if you need any extra support, I can always add you to my WhatsApp group, I have loads of nice people in there dealing with the same thing as you, all at different stages of reversal. 😊
@@jpouchboy-lifewithaj-pouch5105 thank you brother and your videos have really helped me just knowing there are people out there going through the same thing. You seem like a cool dude and you have a really good attitude about and i i do too but its just been hard i geuss just trying to get used to it but i know it will get better over time
I also have good days and bad days. Sleep is an issue I get about 6 hours at best before I got to get up. I still sleep in diaper just in case lol I'm curious do you get up at night or can you sleep all the the way thru?
Great question, I still get up once a night usually, if I’m on track with diet and routine I’ll be able to sleep until about 4:30-5:30am then I need to go. But some days are worse than others and I’ll be up 3/4 times, that’s rare but it happens.