Hello all,

I had my surgery on April 14, 2008 and I was released from the hospital on April 25, 2008. I had a few trials but I am rebuilding my strength. Thank you to all for your support. Special shout out to those who have had this surgery.

LaLa

Congrats LaLa! Sorry you had some issues, but it sounds like things have turned around now...I hope you'll soon be back to living your life as you want!

Hi LaLa,

So glad I checked in this evening. It's good to see an update from you. I'm glad you're doing well and rebuilding your strength. It takes a while but you will get there. We're all here to cheer you on.

Take care

Shell

Dear Shell, I gather you're in the same boat as me ie. permanent ileostomy following removal of J-pouch. I'm hoping you might be able to tell me whether you regularly take dietary supplements,vitanims etc, or do you get on OK without them? Also do you get very hungry very frequently? Would really appreciate your input, thanks, Edward

Hi Edward, how are you doing?

Yes, I've had my perminent buddy Wee Willie (my end ileo) for 4 years now.

I do take dietary suppliments daily. I take high strength cod liver oil, a multivitamin, calcium + vitamin D and a high strength probiotic.

I have been taking the chewable vitamins and calcium because they were on special offer, but don't have any problems with the usual pills. My transit time is normally pretty slow though so I think it's in my gut long enough to do the job.

The probiotics help my Fibromyalgia and keep any fungal infections at bay. The calcium is because I have early stage osteoporosis and the cod liver oil is for my joints.

I try to eat regular healthy meals and do get hungry if I miss a meal. For breakfast I have cerial or porridge. I love porridge because it stops me feeling hungry all morning. I usually have a sandwich at lunchtime and then a balanced meal of fresh veg or salad with either chicken or fish or occasionally beef. I snack on yoghurts and soft fruits such as strawberries, peaches, melon etc and occasionally a banana. I have only just recently been able to tolerate bananas which is great because I really love them and had missed them these last 12 years.

If there's anything else I can help with just ask.

Take care.

Shell

Hi LaLa, it's good to hear from you. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Ed, sorry to hear that you have not been feeling well. Have you had blood tests since your surgery?

Dear Shell, Thanks very much for your response. I'm confused about supplements and am trying to find a doctor of nutrition to help me. For example, you say you have a multi-vitamin and cod liver oil - but couldn't that lead to an excess of Vit. A which in turn can lead to osteoporosis (they're now finding). I've been reading up on Vit.A and realising that I'm getting too much, from supplements plus normal diet.
Shell, do you suffer from dehydration - wake up with dry mouth and hands? I do since losing the J-pouch. The hydration issue is really tricky - I found I was washing out the electrolytes with too much water. But how to know exactly what's right?

Nikki, As you can see I am battling. I wonder if I'll ever feel any good again. I hope you're doing fine.

Dear Nikki, I forgot to say that blood tests showed anemia initially, then low iron (ie. no stores), and following a period of supplementation, tomorrow I'm being tested again. It would be lovely to think that all my problems were related to iron, but sadly I doubt it.

Edward, I try to keep drinking throughout the day and recently have been able to tolerate bananas again (after years of them giving me obstructions) which help to keep my potasium levels up.

I asked my pharmacist about the Vitimin A and he said that it is in such a small quantity with the doses that I take that it wouldn't be harmful.

I also forgot to mention that I have to have B12 injections every 3 months. This is because I have lost my terminal ileum which is where B12 is absorbed so I don't have the means to ingest it through suppliments or diet any more. B12 deficiency can cause anaemia so I would ask your doctor about that because you too could be deficient. It can take 4-5 years for your body to become depleted of it's stores of B12 but something that you should be aware of now.

Hope this helps.

Shell