Its been 7 months since my takedown and I am still completely incontinent overnight. No matter what I do or if I set my alarm periodically to go to the bathroom I end up with the same result. I usually go through at least 2 depends at night. I have very negative image of myself that is hammer home every time I have to change my diaper. I feel worthless and disgusting. I wish there was some way to stop this vicious cycle. I already have chaged my diet, take pills and potions, fiber and try biofeedback and InterStim. I guess life is cruel and this is what my life has become.

I would ask your dr if it would be ok to stop taking fiber and stick to immodium, lomotil etc. Whenever I have taken fiber it gives me gas and I have accidents. I have heard others say the same. I don't want to go around a drs. advice, but see if you can give fiber a break. It sounds like the other things you are doing should help. Bio Feedback etc. I had a lot of success with accupuncture as well. I think the key ultimately is calming down your mind and hence your bowel. I have had UC/pouch problems my entire life and nothing quite works like being calm and quiet inside. Mind and body. Also antibiotic/probiotic therapy.

Most importantly don't let accidents define who you are or rather how you feel about yourself. I know it's easier said than done but it's not your fault!! It is a total bummer but you are not worthless. If anything I think people like us tend to be quite the opposite. Most I know are really wonderful and special people that are strong and endure this hideous deisease with grace and treat others better than people that are well and take good health for granted. I am confidentthis is true about you and therefore you should give yourself a break!

Take care and best of luck turning this thing around.

Hang in there... I am 5 years post takedown. The first year, my pouch functioned well at night. Then, for no obvious reason, I go thru what you do every night for the last few years. I don't wear depends, just pads and layers of TP on top of that. Sometimes it is just a pure mess and I hate dealing with the cleanup, the embarrasement, the worry, etc. I've tried Kegels, fiber, no fiber, not eating, eating, etc.... like you, still looking for an answer. Hang in there...

Oh Poo...I am sorry terribly sorry that you are going through all of this...I usderstand exactly what you are living through and how horrible it is on the morale...it is a real killer...it destroys your sleep, you morale and your life...nothing like going back to the primal basics to make us all feel like helpless children again...
I hate being out of control...I agree with Nys that it doesn't and shouldn't define you but I know in my heart that it hurts so terribly.
Has anyone looked into nerve damage? They sympathetic nerve???? there are all sorts of nerves responsible for control (and yes, acupuncture can help to stimulate them) but so can chiropractic, osteopahty and a bunch of other alternative medicines...
Have there been tests for abscesses? Nerve damage? Hershsprungs disease? (a loss of muscle/nerve control in the colon/rectum)...Incontinence is NOT normal...and if biofeedback hasn't help and other sorts of control exercises then there is something else going on that should be dealt with...they should not be leaving you like this....
The worst case senario there are implants that 'plump up' the sphincter to give it more resistance and control (they are little silicon pillows implanted around the edge of the sphincter)...some people to regain some control that way...
There can also be dietary defficiencies responsible for the problem...please have your B vit levels checked as well as a full mineral pallet...
I am sure that a lot of others will have ideas for you as well but please do NOT give up.
Sharon

First of all: this is completely normal. Yes, it makes us feel yucky and worthless, but it will go away. It took me so long to stop leaking at night that I'd forgotten what it was like NOT to, and I'd accepted leakages as normal! It will stop happening to you some day, it might even be a few more years, but when it does you'll look back and realise it's all part of the healing process.

My small intestine had to be connected quite low to my rectum.....that is where my disease mostly resided. I was told by my second surgeon that is difficult to have control as a result. I given up hope every imagining that one day I will be able to just wear a pair of panties to bed. I know I have no choice but try to deal with this, but I am having so much troulbe. I just want some semblance of normalcy. Thank the lord my husband has been wonderful.
I recenly ask my surgeon about an annual plug wihile I sleep. He is going to look into it. From what I read on the internet they may be hard to place correctly and that they may be uncomfortable. Has anyone every used one?

Oh Poo,
I am going to suggest something that you may not have considered or wish to hear....why not check out the K pouch???? (or BCIR)...I was fully incontinent from age 10 on following a lot of unsuccessful sphincter surgery...they tried everything including 2 gracilis muscle flaps (1 worked for 2yrs)...by 18 I just couldn't take it any more...no life at all, day or night. When they finally offered me the option of the k pouch instead of an outside bag I jumped on it...I just couldn't imagine an outside bag at 18 (call me vain but it just wasn't for me)...so they did the k pouch...it was rough, it took 3 tries to get it right (I needed a 2 step but had complications) and ended up living the life of my dreams! Freedom from incontinence...freedom from embarassement...a real life.
You already have a j pouch that works, your problem is not the pouch but the sphincter control/rectal control...it makes it a MUCH easier surgery because you already have a pouch...they need to create a valve and then connect it to the abdomen (still open surgery but shorter)...and of course close up your 'downstairs'.
It may just be worth looking into in order for you to get your life back.
Sharon

Just another, "I can totally relate" moments for you. I also had the worst of my disease, (UC) at the very bottom. Did you have accidents when you had UC? I did. I think it does take time for that area,( I guess it's the cuff )to adjust to the surgery. I know it really sucks waking up with an accident. Have you double checked that you don't have pouchitis or cuffitis? Sometimes doing a treatment for those can help with control issues. As I said before, I am sorry this makes you feel bad about yourself but you very likely will adjust in time. Most of us do. And then on occasion you have a slip. It is tricky when the sick part of your colon is still there, believe me I know. But I rarely have accidents at night anymore and I am sure everyone knows I have to be super careful if I need to fart. It sounds stupid but my husband will say, "good job" if I let a big fart. It is a sign of a healthy pouch. Oye!! What a weird life!