I just had my takedown about two weeks ago. However, I'm going to the bathroom 15 to 20 times a day! I'm treating the BB with ILex and Calmoseptine. I also am taking FloraQ probiotic. But the frequency is a killer. The worst time is at night after dinner and up to 3am. The doctor said that I need to ride this out for up to 6 weeks until the pouch and intestine begin to self-regulate. He also sees no sign of infection or pouchitis. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone has as to how to reduce the frequency other than to stop completely eating.

First, don't panic. This is not extremely unusual.
Check out the dietary tips on our site.
Also, are you taking any meds to slow the bowel? Lomotil, immodium, tincture of opium, motofen?
Bill

I'm taking imodium occassionally. However, the doctor has discouraged it since he believes it will impede a return to normal function. But frankly, I don't see how I can function without it.

Yep...what Bill said.

Did the doc tell you to try to hold it as long as you can, to stretch out your pouch?

Im a week out out of takedown.
I havent expieremented with many foods but i have been eating mashed potatoes and pasta a lot. Ive tried not to eat past 6/7pm but i had a little snack because i got hungry.
I still seem to go alot but i find that im usually done going by midnight, when i go to bed.
I also ate a banana the other day and it seemed to do the exact opposite of thickening. I was running to the bathroom almost every 5 mintues

After I had surgery, I was going 20-25 times a day! As soon as I would leave the toilet and walk to the living room or lay down, I would get another bathroom urge! The first two months were quite bad. I am now down to around 5-8 a day. (much better!)

Yes, evenings are the worst! I would try eating as much as your can early in the day.

I took lots of lomotil and ate BRAT diet - but honestly not sure if it really made a difference.

Keith

For the first couple of months after my TD I felt like I was living in the bathroom again but this is very normal.

My doctor told me to try metamucil to help thicken things up a bit. If you do try the metamucil, only drink about half of what they say on the package or it will just go right through you.

Again, try holding things as long as possible to stretch the pouch. Things will get better with time, I only go about 5-8 times a day if I watch what I eat.

Keep a journal of what you are eating and how it effects you. Milk and dairy products seem to go right through me as do fruit and juices. I try not to eat anything after supper except if I am hungry I'll have a piece of toast with peanut butter as that seems to slow things down a bit.

Unfortunately what works for others won't always work for you...

Just know that this is temporary and things will get better.

The trick with Metamucil is to eat it with your meal so it mixes with the food. I have not had any problems drinking a lot as long as I eat with food. Also, others who have tried the powder and wafers say the wafers are more effective.

Also, sometimes early on the fiber won't make things better. If everything is running through because your body is simply adjusting, you will just have to wait until things normalize some before it will really help.

I feel your pain. Post-takedown is a pain in the butt.

my Dr told me to take Imodium after I go at least 4 times frequently to slow it down. He said the goal was 4 times a day with out it though. Either way it seems to be much better than the long nights I had with a UC flare up. If I have 4 frequent movements I take the imodium to slow it down really seems to help and my Dr recommended it. We all are different though.

Hi Kwolf,
It's been 9 weeks post takedown. I started averaging 13 trips to the bathroom and now down to 3. I think a big part of it is having a good surgeon. The best in the Bay area situated in Concord CA by the name of Dr Samuel Oommen. He's bio speaks for itself...guys look him up in the internet.
Anyways, I recommend bland diet mostly white meat chicken. Carbs like pasta that are hard to digest take beano with it. Yogurt particularly Dannon "Activia" one in the morning and after dinner, drink lots of water at least 4 bottled water because lacking in water can cause diahrea, eat a small meal at night and lastly probiotics althought I stopped mine (refrigerated one) may be because I feel like I don't have a need for it. I take Imodium when needed maybe every 3 or 4 days. With one tablet I won't go for 24 hours depends on what I eat too. I still pound on Activia. There are days I go only ones like normal or twice. The most was like 5 if I had a buritto. It will get better. It may take some time but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Feel free to ask anything. I'm not someone who checks his email everyday but look it up from time to time.

God bless,
highroller

Since your surgery was done in 2 steps, your pouch should be all healed and it should be safe to hold on for a little when you first feel the urge. I could certainly could go pretty frequently but I hold on each time to the point of a little discomfort before I go. This 'training' seems to be working as I go less and less and now holding on is pretty easy and I hardly notice that I could go if I want. Not yet 2 months from takedown and I'm averaging 4 to 5 times in 24 hours (only 3 a couple times) - although like I said I probably could go 8 times if I tried. Another advantage if you start 'training' yourself this way is you'll have way less butt burn. I've only had buttburn once since takedown (and I eat everything including very hot/spicy food) - and that was when I let myself go to the bathroom within only 2 hours of the time before.

I agree with AShkloff, i ate potatoes potatoes and more potatoes right after take down. I am now 16 months after postdown and have about 6 bm 's a day. I drink a chocolate fiber drink after i eat and it tends to help a lot to soak up liquid. It is from citrucel and it taste sort of like chocolate milk, not bad at all. You could also try chia seeds they really seemed to help me. You just have to try different things until you find something thats right for you. Good luck and stay in there