I'm 10 years with my pouch and things have been really good. I've had the odd bout of bad diarrhea but can usually self manage and it passes in a day or two. Last Saturday I got hit with something in my guts resulting in diarrhea, I had very low energy and dropped 10 lbs (down to 140) in about 3 days. It's now been a week and I still have it very loose stool. I'm still holding at 140 lbs despite having pretty much zero appetite. Imodium, which usually works great, isn't having much of an impact and metamucil is working only marginally better. A few days ago I started taking a 70 billion count probiotic (2 a day) as I'm getting a bit desperate. I usually don't take probiotics with any great regularity. The output from the pouch is VERY look (watery), I have slight nausea (but no throwing up) but no real urgency. Any thoughts on what this could be??? My hope is it's just a bad stomach flu of some sort and not something more sinister like crohns developing. Any insights are appreciated. In the meantime, I'm going to put an appointment with my GP to start that process. Many thanks...
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I don't know the cause of your symptoms but it does sound like a stomach bug anyone could suffer from and not just pouchee's
Your lack of enegy is probably due to the diarrhea which is causing dehydration.
When dehydrated our bodies lose electrolytes that we need and can't function without.
Ensure to consume plenty of fluids; ideally a rehydration solution diluted in water which will contain and replenish the essential salts and minerals that you're currently losing due to the diarrhea.
Such a solution can be bought from a pharmacy or you can make your own by following the St Mark emix recipe
If you Google St Marks emix solution, you'll easily find the recipe.
You could have a blockage. I've experienced the same issues (minus the weight loss), and I had a partial blockage. I would go to the ER and get it checked out.
So sorry - I agree with both of the above - I've had some blockages over the years and also stomach bugs. Symptoms are hard to figure out. Don't panic(easier to say than do, I know) and either see GP or go to ER and you may be happy how quickly this can be fixed. I usually wait too long and end up in the ER and they say, "why on earth didn't you come in sooner?" 30 years with the pouch...I just don't want to go to the ER - hate it, but sometimes, that's the only option. A solution has always been found. I hope you get help and feel much better soon.
Thank you for the replies. I'm booked in to see my GP next week. Symptoms have improved marginally but things definitely don't feel right. I usually take Metamucil 2x day and it always bulks things up. Ever since this issue has come up Metamucil isn't doing a thing. Still very watery output with zero blood. The other odd thing is even if I have a bit of an appetite I eat half my meal and feel full usually followed by a bit of a nauseous type feeling. I never usually am "burpy" but since this has hit I'm burping way more and 8 hours after a meal I'm getting hints of what I ate. Again, definitely haven't experienced this before. My fingers are crossed that whatever it is ... it's not crohns!
Brooksy, I agree with he suggestion that it could be a blockage, especially with you burping and having no appetite. You burp when gas can't come out the back end and not wanting to eat is your body's way of telling you not to put anything else in because whatever's in there already can't get through. Output gets watery because it builds up behind the blockage. I've had blockages with an ostomy before and the symptoms are the same. While you're waiting for your appointment with your GP, try getting on all fours and moving your hips around. Maybe hot baths and massaging your belly. You might get relief if it's a blockage. Try not to jump to a Crohn's conclusion as of now.