It has been three years since my J-pouch anastomosis. I had been suffering from Crohns for years and three years ago developed a cancerous mass. I have been having 20 or more BMs since the surgery and all the food suggestions have not helped. I am allergic to bananas so that is out of the question. My GI guys and GI surgeon have suggested the BRATT diet, red licorise, coconut, etc and nothing has helped. Has anyone else had a similar issue that could shed some light on some help. I am exhausted from being basically locked in the bathroom for years on end.
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Have you tried medication like imodium or lomotil? Have you tried fiber? If you have gone through all of those there is always tincture of opium or codeine. Diet may not be enough to reduce your frequency.
Sue
Sue
It may also be time to consider a permanent ostomy if things do not improve long term. It is not great to hear, but having no colon plus crohns and the frequency may mean life is easier with a permanent ostomy. Obviously you and your doctors will know what to do and when to discuss that option, but there are plenty of people who handle a permanent ostomy and life is just fine.
Imodium and lomotil have not helped me at all. I was starting to get the bad side effects from lomotil and have been keeping away from using it again. I have tried fiber also, but I get different directions from the doctors on how much to use.
I am still at 20 times per day. I personally am not going to consider a permanent ostomy because of the problems I had with the bag during the J-pouch process.
I am interested in reading what dietary suggestions people have come across along with the type/brands/amount of fiber they are using.
I have had one doctor tell me to use the prescribed amount of fiber/water ratio on the label and another saying to use half the liquid to fiber.
All information is welcome.
I am still at 20 times per day. I personally am not going to consider a permanent ostomy because of the problems I had with the bag during the J-pouch process.
I am interested in reading what dietary suggestions people have come across along with the type/brands/amount of fiber they are using.
I have had one doctor tell me to use the prescribed amount of fiber/water ratio on the label and another saying to use half the liquid to fiber.
All information is welcome.
What about codeine or other opiates to slow things down? I'm sorry, but when things are really bad, I don't think that you can control it by diet alone.
With the fiber, the type of fiber can make a difference. Some people are sensitive to psyllium fiber and it has a mild purgative effect and causes excess gas. In that case, maybe methylcellulose (Citrucel) or wheat dextrin (Benefiber) might suit you better. Another option is chia seeds. For me, fiber supplements might have thickened things, but did not reduce the frequency, so I stopped them.
Another option if you are at the end of your rope is Sandostatin. It is an injection of a hormone, usually used for cancer related diarrhea, but it works. Might be worth looking into.
Jan
With the fiber, the type of fiber can make a difference. Some people are sensitive to psyllium fiber and it has a mild purgative effect and causes excess gas. In that case, maybe methylcellulose (Citrucel) or wheat dextrin (Benefiber) might suit you better. Another option is chia seeds. For me, fiber supplements might have thickened things, but did not reduce the frequency, so I stopped them.
Another option if you are at the end of your rope is Sandostatin. It is an injection of a hormone, usually used for cancer related diarrhea, but it works. Might be worth looking into.
Jan