1970,
Yup, it could be the sugar or just your digestive system/pouch maturing and digesting things faster or differently as it matures...start eating earlier (at least 5 hrs before bedtime) so that you have had a chance to empty your pouch before you go to sleep and for now, at least, put down a blue pad so you don't have to change your sheets and wear something protective on your body (nothing like waking up in a mess to destroy the morale)...
Try different meals like only protiens or only carbs to see if that makes a difference to you...I found with my k pouch (very different results needed, we want our output liquidy) that protien for dinner was best because it was low residue. You may need higher fiber/residue to make things better (fiber wafers, lomotil...)
It could also be that you are finally getting into a deep sleep cycle and your pouch doesn't wake you up anymore...your brain has told you that sleeping is safe now and that you are no longer in danger...try setting an alarm clock for a few nights and emptying out 3hrs after falling asleep...it should help.
And keep up those kiegels...they are your best friends
Sharon

Yes this is normal in the beginning. It should get better, but for some people it never completely goes away. Some people use incontinence or menstral pads to deal with small amounts of occassional leakage. Alcohol and/or prescription pain meds can make it worse too and the runnier the stool is, the harder it will be to hold-day or night.
I know most people swear by stopping food so many hours before bedtime to stop leakage or to eliminate getting up in the middle of the night. It definitely doesn't hurt to try. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it doesn't matter for me. I am going to get up twice no matter what, so I eat whatever and whenever I want. On the rare occassion I have really runny stool I may use a pad at bedtime as a just in case.

I've had a couple of instances too these first two weeks,
just a bit of minor leakage at night. Both times I think the
pain meds had something to do with it. Just too sleepy and
groggy to wake up in time to catch it.

I am having trouble with this as well at about 1 month, and one week post takedown. First few weeks I had no leakage at all, but I actually think that the pain meds I was taking also slowed things down and I did not experience leakage because of that.

For three nights in a row recently I woke up about a second too late, Each time it was just a little but really demoralizing just the same. After the first night I wore a pad and the spotting only got on the pad and no where else. I was having some bad days those days as well, lots of bile, liquid, and butt burn. Since then I have still been wearing the pad just in case, but I have had just the smallest little spotting over the past few nights. I'm sure this will be an off and on struggle, but it is really demoralizing to be 26 years old and have to wear a diaper-like protection to make sure I don't mess up the bed. it demoralizes me when my wife wants to engage in sexual activity too, but I'm already wearing the pad, It just feels sucky and I have been shying away from her advances because I feel emasculated wearing one. It's not my fault, and I know that, but it still wears on me.

im pre takedown and definitely notice my pouch is way more active with mucus if i eat anything with sugar. im passing way more mucus and noticeably having to hold it in more. no sugar practically no mucus so im sure that plays a part. that mucus is some slippery stuff...

1970 - I'm pre-take-down right now, so I'm glad you are posting the question for people like me who are getting ready to embark on life with a j-pouch. I hope things get better for you soon.

skn69 - Thanks for all of the tips you suggested. You mentioned a couple of things I either had thought of, or read about in managing night time soiling. It even helps me prepare for my take-down.

Wisconsin - I hope things better soon for you, too. I know I'm struggling a little bit with the idea of night time soiling, and possibly having to do things like wear Depends. My hope for you, me, and really every one who is dealing with this is to be able to find just the right routine, foods, and possibly meds to reduce or eliminate night time soiling.

Good luck, everyone!

hey wisconsin....i completely understand. i think over time this issue will clear for us as we adapt and find out what our routine needs to be. be strong brother. your wife loves you regardless and trust what she tells you. i had the same feelings and my wife insisted on not worrying about it. i finally started trusting her and we have great intimacy regardless of if i am wearing my depends or not. we joke about it and that tends to help.

runner....good luck with your takedown! i truly hope all goes well for you.

patience is key! which, incidently, is very hard for me!! i keep forgetting i am only 2.5 weeks post-op. i want things resolved now!! lol. 3-6 months seems like an eternity right now! :O) but in the end, i know my faith will pull me through this as well as the support of my family. at least i am totally pain free from the surgery and my poo is consistently a paste like solid! so i am trending in the right direction.

peace,
mark