For many a little Imodium or Lomotil can slow things down very well.  First I would test it out on some shorter practice hikes to see how it goes.

Thanks, I will try that 👍

Tav, what have you tried so far? Have you been too concerned bout Imodium to take any? How about psyllium (Metamucil)? Have you tried delaying any of those bathroom trips to see what happens?

If the BMs come in rapid bursts after meals one after the other, it's a motility issue easily fixed with antispasmodics like donnatal, bentyl or levsin taken 45 minutes before meals. I had this issue after takedown, it's easily fixed if that is what it is.

I sometimes at night try to hold it until I get up, sometimes it works, other’s doesn’t, I did take Metamucil when I’m constipated, also I take probiotics and colace every morning, my dr told me to try not to eat after 5;30-6-00 PM or two hours before going to bed, also, I am kind of big, although I lost 55 lb since three months before the surgery, I’m still 220 lb and very active, so my body ask me for “fuel” constantly, so, it is a question of slowing down (don’t want to go this route) and perhaps won’t require that much food, or just keep going and let my body gradually adapt, it may take some more time, I hope.

Thanks CT,

are donnatal, bentyl or levsin over the counter medication?

No all prescriptions. Donnatal has the least side effects. These drugs can make you feel a little loopy.

I would definitely not recommend to hold it in if there is a bathroom around. Holding it in can have consequences in the long run, definitely try to go when you need to. I would try low doses of loperamide and see what happens.

Sounds like you are a 9 percenter like me. 9% of the J-pouch Community goes over 13X a day. So if you have to go at night on your trip, I would just go honestly but not too far from other people. Try to stay close as possible. If some people are up at that time, take someone with you.

Thanks, that’s the idea, stay close to other people and to a safe place to “evacuate “.

I also have experience 4 blockages in my gut, matter in fact, I am in the hospital right now since Saturday, I have besides the blockage something they said is anastomosis in the lower right quadrant with interval resolution of “extraluminal  gas and adjacent Ill defined fluid , they tell me I may have to have another surgery to redo the conexión of the intestin to the the J Pouch, if some one experienced blockages, please let me know your thoughts, thanks.

@Tavofl61 The Colace could potentially be loosening things up too much, and if you’re taking the wrong one (Colace 2-in-1), or any stool softener that includes a stimulant laxative that could cause all kinds of trouble. I’d suggest you double check, since the packages look very similar. Are you on the Colace to try to prevent future blockages, or for some other reason? Very few J-pouchers need stool softener, and it could be increasing the number of bowel movements. It would be especially strange to take both Imodium (which you said you were planning to try) and Colace.

“Extraluminal gas and adjacent ill-defined fluid” could be a significant problem. That means that there was gas and fluid in your abdomen but *outside* the intestine. The most common way for that to happen to a J-poucher is with a leak at the anastomosis, where the pouch is attached to the rectal cuff. On the other hand, “interval resolution” generally means that it has gotten better (gone away, really) since the last time they looked, The story is a bit confusing, but perhaps you had a leak that has gotten better?

@Tavofl61 posted:

Thanks, that’s the idea, stay close to other people and to a safe place to “evacuate “.

I also have experience 4 blockages in my gut, matter in fact, I am in the hospital right now since Saturday, I have besides the blockage something they said is anastomosis in the lower right quadrant with interval resolution of “extraluminal  gas and adjacent Ill defined fluid , they tell me I may have to have another surgery to redo the conexión of the intestin to the the J Pouch, if some one experienced blockages, please let me know your thoughts, thanks.

Exactly!!! Stay safe!

I am sorry to hear that! I hope things get better!

I have only experienced blockages with my ostomy not J-pouch so far. I got blockages with my ostomy because my abdomen is very muscular and tight so it caused many blockages unfortunately, that is not a too common reason though. I hope you never get a blockage again and I hope you do better