Eating triggers the need to go for me too but it did before my surgeries too. It just didn't happen so soon after eating then. That is one of the reasons I don't like eating out unless we are coming home right afterwards. I can hold it so much longer than before so it doesn't bother me, lol.

I have a problem with eating the first time of the day as that is when my pain begins. It's when my GI system wakes up and the food starts winding through my intestines that are surrounded by adhesions or whatever the problem is. I've had small bowel studies and according to those results I have no problems. Which means there is no mechanical obstruction for barium water flowing through. The interesting thing about those results is it takes 2.5 hours versus a half an hour for the barium water to make it through my small intestines now than it did 2 years ago. According to the radiologist and my surgeon that change in time does not mean anything. I always wonder how they would feel about it if the tables were turned and they were he patient.

I take still take Loperamide 3 years after surgery, mainly to ward off IPS and especially before bed. I'm usually more active in the late afternoon and then after my evening meal. I have at least 8 movements daily and many more with my cuffitis and/or IPS is active. I seldom sleep more than 4 hours straight.

It is not your imagination. There is something called the gastro colic reflex, where the presence of food in the stomach stimulates peristalsis.

Another reflex is the "ileal brake." This is where the presence of fat in the gut slows peristalsis, because fat takes longer to digest. So besides being an essential nutrient, some fat in your diet helps slow things down. This is the theory behind the recommendation of a small, fatty snack, like cheese, before bed. Of course, go overboard with a bunch of deep fried food, and it just becomes an irritant and a cause of indigestion and diarrhea.

Jan

jan i think you hit it on the head! but why does it happen say to me and not you for example..jan how might i apply the second reflex..since the peristolsis reflex happens after i eat anything..

by the way how are you doing?had some serious things going on a bit ago...

I think it affects pretty much everyone, but some more than others. It is pretty consistent for me, but over time, it improved some. Plus, I use Imodium daily.

The ileal brake thing basically just means that if you include some fat with every meal, it should slow things. Otherwise, time is what causes the most change. They say adaptation occurs over the first year, but I noticed changes for over a decade.

The point? You can try to analyze and control things, but things will change no matter what you do. It does not mean you should give up, but just don't be discouraged when things change as soon as you figure it all out.

Jan

P.S. I'm fine, just mostly dealing with arthritis that likes to move around every few months.

HI Rebecca I have been following your post lately on or removing carbohydrates from our diet,which I am trying to do read the book you recommended.i was hoping that doing this would relieve the symptoms you are talking about severe cramping spasms and loud noises when I eat.had a scope yesterday and found inflammation but the doctor said no signs of pouchitus, so have arranged to see a dietician to help maybe the fodmap way have an appointment in a few weeks. I do have problems with blockages and adhesions went to hospital four times the last twelve months, you sound a lot like my symptoms have had my pouch for five years now was hoping your surges tigons would be an answer for me thanks Jan for your info sound interesting will discuss this with my doctor.

The gastrocolic reflex ought to be markedly reduced for most of us, since it chiefly affects the colon. I'd be surprised if anyone understands why some of us still have an effect - perhaps the rectal cuff?

sudie..glad you read book i think if you start to follow my suggestions from scd remove all starchy carbs and simple sugar even before seeing dietician you will know in a months time or before if it helps your most severe symptoms..as you can see i am now asking questions about the less severe issues i still have because of diet without a doubt..i never took test for bacteria overgrowth dr. shen based it on the facts that presented themselves to him..but you might want to request the test for it..if it is related in large part to bacteria overgrowth you should get some sort of positive relif from removing affending foods i think..however,as with me it does not put me in lala land of those that just seem to sail along after there jpouch operation to feeling almost or even normal..but for me and i think others who might try diet it might eliminate some of the more severe issues we have..wishing you the best!

scott and jan thanks for your input.. yes have no idea why my gastrocolic reflex is much more pronounced after having this surgery 7 years ago with no change for the better..do you know of anything one can take to perhaps counter this reflex itself?sometimes it begins in middle of my meal which is most annoying..

While the gastrocolic reflex is primary in the colon, the small intestine is also stimulated to increase peristalsis. So, no, it is not about the rectal cuff. They say that if you have IBS, you may have an exaggerated gastrocolic reflex. I suppose you could say the same for IPS. Some people have a slower gut, others faster and more sensitive. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrocolic_reflex

For me, it is bowel slowers that made the difference, and time, lots of time. Perhaps after nearly 20 years, my brain had just adapted more and I don't find it bothersome anymore, just part of life.

If you suspect IPS, ask your doc about antispasmodics and/or low dose tricyclic antidepressants. Many people get good results from IPS symptoms with those meds.

Jan

Makes sense to me Jan. I have IPS, had IBS, and GERD along with my chronic cuffitis. My IPS treatment plan includes taking up to 8 Loperamide daily, Norco pain medication daily for abdominal pain, a PPI for GERD, an antispasmodic as needed. I am also on antidepressants. When my IPS gets out of control, 15+ watery daily BM's, I take an antibiotic. This treatment plan was prescribed by my Mayo GI. Dr. Shen at CC has a published study that shows antibiotics help IPS. The reason why isn't clear to me.

I believe the theory behind the concept that antibiotics may help with IBS/IPS, is that there is a growing trend/belief/acceptance that many with IBS may also have bacterial overgrowth. It is also why probiotics are useful for many with IBS.
http://www.webmd.com/ibs/news/...therapy-relieves-ibs

I think that we need to understand that most of these issues are not "stand alone," but interconnected with overlapping symptoms. So, you need to look at your gut health as a whole.

Jan

Thanks Jan. I take heavy duty probiotics too. I've wondered about SBO too. I just got over a week of antibiotics and the last time I needed to take them was in November. I think I'll email my GI and inquire about SBO testing.

REBE0505 - I followed the link Jan posted about gastrocolic response and it notes that seratonin induces the response. For the last two days I have cut avocados and bananas out of my son's diet as those foods are high in seratonin ( along with chocolate, pineapple, walnuts, kiwi, tomatoes) and his bms have deceased slightly and he has not rushed from the table to the bathroom. (He was already not eating the other foods.)

hmmboysmom interesting findings..my serotonin levels already been adjusted for years i guess take prozac 20 years now..prozac works on the serotonin receptors.. but i eliminate all simple carbs now and most dairy(sibo) but do eat a lot of bananas as well as alvocados..so maybe ..it just might be more complex for me but thanks for info..