hi all. i had my takedown about 3 years ago. i have been doing "ok". but i still go between 8-12 times a day. and theres a good deal of gas too. i recently changed my diet to a high protein/low carb to lose weight. (its working!). but i want to see if there is something i can do to help. i already take 6 imodium a day and chewable pepto if things get really bad. should i try a fiber powder to add to my water?? i tried some probiotics a long time ago and saw no change. help!
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I take it you have tried Lomotil? the magic little white pill?
If you need to slow things down that will do it. It does it for me. Even before surgery that is about the only medication that ever worked for me. And it still works.
I take fewer now than I used to and some day I'd like to stop altogether.... but it seems to stop the cramping, spasms that send to me to the restroom....... I still take 4 a day.......
If you need to slow things down that will do it. It does it for me. Even before surgery that is about the only medication that ever worked for me. And it still works.
I take fewer now than I used to and some day I'd like to stop altogether.... but it seems to stop the cramping, spasms that send to me to the restroom....... I still take 4 a day.......
One tip I can offer is do not skip meals. I find I get grassier if I don't eat anything. I second the Beano. It works for me on helping with the gas.
Hi fishgirl, welcome to the site. My suggestion would be Beano or Gas X -- if you haven't already tried them. And, I'm sure after three years, you know experimentation is the key in terms of weight and gas. I'd also suggest that you stop counting your trips to the bathroom. For me, once I just accepted that I am going to be going more, suddenly it became a non-issue. It was just my new normal. Again, in terms of gas pain -- try everything you think you should (fiber powder in your water, etc.) -- you have nothing to lose. I'm glad you found us! Let us know how you make out.
Welcome Ted Silver. Sorry that you find losing weight is a problem. I disagree that "most diet foods are not pouch friendly". I eat all the fruits and vegies I want and know many people here that can do the same. I think diet is a very personal issue for pouchers and it's important to state that when giving advice. I see you've had your pouch since 2000 so I'm sure you've experimented with many different foods and I'm sorry that fruits and vegies don't work well for you. What foods do work for you? What do you do for gas? Fishgirl may benefit from that information considering you're a veteran of 12 years.
Welcome Ted Silver. Sorry that you find losing weight is a problem. I disagree that "most diet foods are not pouch friendly". I eat all the fruits and vegies I want and know many people here that can do the same. I think diet is a very personal issue for pouchers and it's important to state that when giving advice. I see you've had your pouch since 2000 so I'm sure you've experimented with many different foods and I'm sorry that fruits and vegies don't work well for you. What foods do work for you? What do you do for gas? Fishgirl may benefit from that information considering you're a veteran of 12 years.
Frequency seems to be a really individual thing. I've tried lomotil, immodium, metamucil, eating less (which caused gas) and a few other things. I couldn't find a link between medication, eating habits and frequency.
I still take metamucil. I normally have 8 to 10 BMs a day. There are times when I only go 4 to 6 times a day to the bathroom.
When I started adapting to my new system, I couldn't eat vegetables or fruits. It brought to me cramping and excessive gas. But meanwhile I can and do eat regularly diffenent kinds of vegetables for lunch and it works fine for me. So, I can't give you an advice how to successfully and deterministically reduce your frequency. For me frequency is not predictable and honestly I really don't care.
Concerning loosing wheigt. I've lost nearly 25 pounds last year by altering my diet (more vegetables, less sweets, more or less no alcohol).
Paul
I still take metamucil. I normally have 8 to 10 BMs a day. There are times when I only go 4 to 6 times a day to the bathroom.
When I started adapting to my new system, I couldn't eat vegetables or fruits. It brought to me cramping and excessive gas. But meanwhile I can and do eat regularly diffenent kinds of vegetables for lunch and it works fine for me. So, I can't give you an advice how to successfully and deterministically reduce your frequency. For me frequency is not predictable and honestly I really don't care.
Concerning loosing wheigt. I've lost nearly 25 pounds last year by altering my diet (more vegetables, less sweets, more or less no alcohol).
Paul