Hi Seffy,

It's called Buscopan. Here's a link to some info about the drug.

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100000395.html

Shell

So, do I understand correctly that some of you slept better while being treated with antibiotics, even though there was no other indication of pouchitis?

What ARE typical indications of a pouchitis anyway?

As for spasms, I've tried Buscopane, but it really didn't help much.

I would feel a little worried about taking antibiotics for a longer period of time- I've been through that during my UC time, and I didn't like it too much (do you all keep to the recommended diet?)

Alex

Another question: has anyone of you tried any gall-acid binding medication? I'm presently attempting colyestramine, and I'm not exactly sure if this is good or bad- seems like building a wall that is sooner or later run over by unbelievable amounts of stool. I'm presently wondering if I should stick to it or better take my hands off.

Greetings,

Alex

I have not been on antibiotics, so I can't answer your sleep question from experience. However, it seems in reading many posts, that many people experience better pouch function day and night while on antibiotics (cipro/flagyl). So, yes, I would think they would do better while on them. Some people have to stay on them long-term and don't seem to have problems with that.

Do a 'Find' on the work pouchitis and you will find a wealth of information. Plus, there is another forum dedicated to pouchitis posts. You will find symptoms posted there.

I would also note that this early after takedown, you are probably not suffering from pouchitis (could be - but probably aren't). You are just still adjusting to things and healing.

I can't remember ever reading anyone post about taking any gall-bladder acid binding medications. I think most people approach the acid problem by eating bulking foods or fiber.

Hi - it is called Buscopan, so you were close. Another antispasmodic is primperan and motilium. Best to ask a doc first though - Buscopan should not be taken by anyone with UC as it dilates everything including the colon. Best, gillian

Alex,
This is my 15th month post surgury. I still suffer from bad nights. It does get better with time for sure. I have very bad leakage at night still. I am still experiencing with differnt solutions, however. Todd is definetly right about the white rice. thats practically all i ate for the first few months and baked potatoes. As far as the fiber wafers would try it and see if it helps. It helped me a lot with absorbing liquid. The probiotics really helped me too. Definetly try them. Hope things get better.

I find that oat-bran cereal really helps to bulk up, since it is a great source of soluable fibre.

I did not have any good sleep until I stopped taking anything in the day, except maybe pain meds as needed, and going with a couple lomotil and a couple immodium just before bed. That really seemed to cork things up for a few hours of good sleep.

Update: things have not gotten better at night- while the days tend to be good (well, sometimes) with only about 3 to 5 trips until 6pm, I sometimes get a "6pm-crisis", which means bathroom trips with no end (could build a camp there).

No matter if there is a 6pm-crisis or not, the trouble still starts as soon as I lay down to sleep. It's just one trip after another, and getting thinner and thinner (and more painful) each time.

I have found that a little bag of metamucil orange powder can be a way to induce peace, but ususally no earlier that 1 or 2am. So, I'm suffering from too little sleep at the moment.

I just started trying the "TN-system" ("take nothing") during the day, and have so far been save from too many urge attacks, as I wrote, unil 6pm.

I should mention that I am 9 weeks past 1-step, and that I also have a direct ileum-rectum-connection instead of an actual J-Pouch (I hope I will still be allowed here).

Today I'm going to see another doctor because of my depressed moods- anyone else here who has had a similar problem?

And, I had a "pouch" examination yesterday, revealing that I have no sign of pouchitis, so no AB indicated.

I've read that most people here are doing at least "kind of" well during the nights. So, will this torture ever stop?

Alex

Alex,

I know there are a few people here with an illeal-rectal connection. I hope they respond to you. I think I remember reading the average # of BMs per day is about 7-8? And someone also said that the stool may always seem pretty loose with this surgery.

Sorry to hear you are still suffering from sleepless nights. Again, they are still recent enough in my mind to remember all too well. It will get better.

One other thing I have noticed in reading around here. It seems like those who have 1-step procedures often take a little longer to adjust.

And yes, as for the depressed moods - I suffered from them and so have many others. It's hard not to feel depressed when you are overtired and dealing with a nightly struggle like you are. It's easy to feel trapped and to begin to wonder if this will be the "new normal" for you for the rest of your life. Accepting that means losing the freedom and rest you once had - and that, to me, is what is depressing. Loss of anything can throw us into depression - especially when it's something oppressive causing it.

Hang in there and try to sleep when you can.

Steve

Steve,

well, it's interesting that my experiences so far seem to differ just slightly from the J-Pouchers'.

As for consistency (during the day!), I really have no reason to complain- since I'm just trying the "take as little as you can"-way, I'm down to 1 or 2 loperamid a day. I presently use metamucile only as an "emergency brake" at night, when the horses have gone wild. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Since yesterday I'm starting with anti-depressants (very smoothly). It seems there is what we call a "Teufelskreis" in Germany: a devil's circle: if you feel hopeless because you are ill, you will be even more ill and feel even more hopeless. Maybe the meds will show me a way out of this.

As for the rampages at night: it seems like all I can do is wait and hope that it will get better.

I think in some other thread bowel reflexes were mentioned (related to eating). Seems like my reflexes are attached to "night sleep" like a dog to his flute. I really hope things will work out someday.

Sigh,

Alex

Hey Alex,

Just for fun: can you explain the "dog to his flute" analogy. We don't say that here and I'm thinking there must be some history behind it in Germany or something. Any idea?

Well, it's just a metaphor for classical conditioning. Whenever a dog hears his whistle (not flute, sorry), he will react because he is conditioned to do so.

And obviously my body reacts in the same way- it goes wild the second I lay down to sleep.

Greetings,

Alex (and his dog)