I'm new to this site and have read a lot of these forums. They seem to be giving some good advice and a lot of reassurance that there are others out there going through the same thing.

My son has had his J Pouch for 3 years this month (2 1/2 from the last take down surgery). Although he feels 110% better than he ever did in remission with his UC, he stills battles with leaking at night. It's not all the time, but seems to flare up now and then. I'm not sure what to do to help him. He has had more issues in the last few weeks (since school let out). I try to tie it to something he eats or drinks but haven't had much success except that I've have limited his soda thinking maybe the caffeine doesn't help. Any suggestions?

I would tend to think it has more to do with how deeply he is sleeping than what he is or isn't eating. The deeper he is sleeping, the less likely he is to awaken when his sphincters relax to let gas escape during sleep. You may want to try giving him Imodium a few hours before bedtime, since it increases sphincter tone.

Reducing or eliminating sodas is a good idea on many levels. Caffeine is a stimulant to the gut as well as the brain. The carbonation just adds to the gas in the gut that has to be relieved later. Plus, the carbolic acid in sodas (even diet ones) are tough on tooth enamel. He should avoid sugary drinks before bedtime too, including juices, since sugars can increase diarrhea.

Jan

My son is now 17 and is about 10 years post op J-pouch - things were rough in the beginning but SLOWLY the nightime issues have slowed down.., Nick is big - 6 feet 4 and weighs about 230 pounds - he takes 3 Loperamides at night and try to limit his eating after 9:00.., in the beginning Metamucil wafers also helped firm his stools., he does still have occasional leakage at night and still wears a small pad..., compared to where he was things are great - good luck with your son..,

I am almost two months post takedown. After doing some reading on this site of other's eating Metamucil (2 tablespoons) and ground up Salba (1 tablespoon) just before my two biggest meals of the day, I really noticed a huge improvement in my stools. I no longer have butt burn, and I have no leakage. I even ate a salad tonight, and had no problems with it rushing out of me. I did notice when I went out with friends on St Patrick's Day, I had a coke for the first time, and boy that really bothers my pouch, like it stimulated it too much. I also ingest liquid Immodium just before bed time, and this really helps to slow things down. But out of all I have learned, the Salba mixed with the Metamucil is honestly the best thing I have tried.

Warm Hugs,

Kbear.

There was just a new post about thickening up..mentioning Silba...so that would help but he can get some phisiotherapy to reeducate his anal sphincter as well...good idea to do it while he is young and keep practicing all his life..the stronger the sphincter and the bulkier the stool the better...by the way there is a little trick to digestions (again my love affair with 'fit for life') by eating only protien and veggies or carbs and veggies your digestion speeds up, (fruits alone are an express train to the exit!), by mixing both together, protien and carbs, it slows right down..so for you son, meat and potatoes, chicken and rice etc... is good..just don't let him eat the meat without the bun or the coldcuts with just a pickle...they will rush out and burn at the exit...
Sharon