does stool output from the j pouch smell as bad as the ileostomy bag output. Sometimes i wake up to empty my bag in the morning and the smell is terrible. even makes me feel like throwing up many times unless i cover my nose. lol.

It depends on what you have eaten. Also, the bag is so sealed that it does make it worse. I am sorry that it is so bad. I think edgepark.com has stuff to put in the bag for that.

my ileostomy output was horrific smelling. my jpouch output has nearly no smell.

Hi Alexis,

Wee Willie (my end ileo) produces very little smell unless I've eaten something like garlic or fish in which case it smells like garlic or fish. Usually most odours are the result of too much bacteria. I take probiotics and eat a lot of live yoghurt which keeps the smell to a minimum.

The thing I have noticed though is that when I do have any odour that it's 10 times worse in the morning and I think that is because it has been sitting in the bag all night producing bacteria.

I believe a lot of folks use peroxide 3% to combat the odour. Just a few drops into your bag after you empty will kill any lingering smells and at that strength it's completely harmless to your stoma.

When I had my j-pouch my output only ever smelled if I had pouchitis which for me was because of baterial overgrowth due to my not being able to empty my j-pouch properly. Once I'd started taking probiotics (VSL#3) the odour problem went away.

Good luck with your takedown.

Shell:

I remember the smell you are talking about. I think the fact that your face is so much closer to the bag. Plus it is all collecting in it.

My ET nurse ordered a large bottle of deodorizer for me to put drops into my bag.
It was covered by my insurance and it lasted a long time. You can get samples from Hollister too.

My ileo output never smelled that bad except for when I ate fish (!!!!!). It usually smelled a bit like whatever I had eaten. I noticed that happened after takedown as well, I assume it's because foods travel so quickly through your system. I don't find an offensive smell with my pouch now. So hopefully things will get better for you after takedown.

My ostomy output was horrible but I did get some deodorizing drops that worked great.

Now my stool from my J-pouch doesn't smell any worse than anyone else's "normal" poop. Sometimes it doesn't smell at all so I guess it is connected to what I eat. I just eat what I want and don't think about it.