PB can reduce frequency. I use it infrequently and didn't start using it until year 9 or so. I think it's always handy to have around, and give it a try if you like.

Sue

For some people, BP has been helpful in reducing or managing pouchitis symptoms as well. I don't use it often anymore. Be aware, however, that if you are using it regularly, it can interfere with the absorption of some other medications/supplements. It can also cause unusual colourations of the stool which can be alarming if you aren't prepared for it. I've had everything from a rusty colour to greenish to black when I've used Pepto. I recently freaked out because I had maroon coloured stool after using Pepto. I have used it before but not with that particular result. But colour returned to normal after cutting out the PB entirely so I can only finger that as being the cause. But again, something to watch so you know what's going on.

I tried Pepto Bismol years ago. I was disappointed with the outcome and couldn't see any difference in my case with it. The BS tastes horrible anyhow.

Thank you, ladies. I think I'll have some on hand in case I want to give it a try. Take care!

I used it a little but experienced a lot of gas and an uncomfortable feeling of cramps. Perhaps this can be offset by some silmethicone. I am going to give that a try this weekend.

I can see not wanting to use it if you are already down to 4-6 times a day. Really would like to be able to use it without cramping pain because I'm early in and still going 8-10 times.

It helps get rid of painful gas faster than anything else I tried. I need it maybe once every three or four weeks.

I use Pepto Bismol tablets sometimes. They work wonders. I can go 6 hours without using the bathroom sometimes.

Thanks again, all!

ONWISCONSIN- I know you are still early on, but I do hope you find what food, products, meds, and routine work for you soon. Best wishes for your continued recovery!

Runner

I used to take Pepto Bismol for minor pouchitis but haven't used it for some time. While I found it helped but I learned over time "less was more". I would take 2 at a time but only to a maximum of 4 tablets per day. I found taking more actually caused me problems.

Good luck with it.

Lew

I have to agree with Lew; for me, less is also more. Just to further explain my earlier post, I always have PB on hand but I will only use it (and by that I mean 1-2 doses) if I feel something is simmering. A few months ago, I started taking it more regularly. I had come off a course of antibiotics for an unrelated chest infection, and the antibiotics really threw my pouch out of whack (gas, frequency, etc, etc). So I stopped the antibiotics, and then I started taking PB daily for a few weeks to try to stabilize things. Things were fine at first, but after a couple of weeks, I started having the maroon coloured stool I mentioned earlier, which freaked me out because I couldn't tell if it was blood or not. So I "went clean" for a week, ate mostly bland foods and took no Pepto. The stool colour returned to normal after stopping Pepto for just 24 hours, so I can only assume it was Pepto that caused the issue. So now I'm still okay with an isolate dose or two but I won't take it on an ongoing basis.

That is not to say that others will experience the same thing. Many people on this forum use PB regularly and manage quite well; in fact for several people it allows them to function normally. As with anything, the key is to pay attention to your own body, and adjust as needed.

In my case, if I do have watery stools or I'm trying to slow my frequency, 1 or 2 tablets of imodium (usually just 1 tablet) does the trick, with virtually no side effects.

Thank you all for educating me on why and how PB can be helpful, and issues to watch out for when using this product. Hope everyone is having a good week.