BOWEL PROBLEMS

It sounds like a partial obstruction. You should use the forum's search function to look it up, there were several posts about it in the past.

The standard procedure for examining the small intestine is an MRI Sellink, if you want to find narrowed sections. You have to drink about 1 liter of a contrast agent before the scan. The scan works with a magnetic field, not X-ray.

What did your doctor say about your small intestine? Any widened or narrowed portions? Strictures of the small intestine are a typical problem for people with a Crohn's desease. But some j-pouchers also get one at the pouch inlet.

If your stool gets too hard, as a general advice you may try psyllium husk and increase your fluid intake to make it softer.

Steve G thank you. The test that was taken was very through and my pouch is completely healthy. It was a test that I have never gone through before, it can check all areas of the pouch from what I was told.

Thank you so much.

Mikeey, the pouch is only our small replacement for the colon, about 15 cm long. Did you mean they checked to whole ileum (small intestine) which is about 3 m long?

If you do not feel abdominal pain perhaps your digestion is just "too good" and you can take measures to keep your stool softer.

Thank you Steven

My GI doc told me to take miralax daily because I have issues with constipation. He also said when I have the constipation it will cause slight leakage from overflow.

Thank you KMiller

@MIKEEY Hi - I just got out of the hospital for a small bowel obstruction that resolved without surgery, but I came home with a new problem - impacted feces due to a combination of factors - a gastric bleed caused by the NG tube I had in the hospital, the large amount of opioid medication they administered with the pain that kept coming throughout my 4 day hospital stay, and the constipating effect of the contrast study done while I was in the hospital. I am currently taking Miralax daily and alternating days between administering rectal suppository and Fleet enemas to fix the problem. Not Fun - but it's working and it's better than having the problem. Let us know if you find a solution that works well for you.

Hi Seattle Jane- I did respond a few minutes ago but had problems, so don't know if you got my response.  I am so sorry to hear all that you have been through and so hope you are doing much better.

I am holding my own, doing okay.  My doctor wanted me to try a mini catheter that water goes into rectum, I saw it on you tube.  I am very apprehensive about this and don't think I would be able to do it.

Take good care and God Bless, Regards, Mikey

Hi @MIKEEY

Thank you so much for your response. It's good to hear you are holding your own, that's promising, but it doesn't sound as though you are doing great. I have never heard of a mini catheter with water that goes into the rectum, but if it will work to clear things out, and your doctor suggested it, I encourage you to brave and try it if you possibly can manage a solid try. Trust me, I know how rude this stuff is! I had never used a rectal suppository before the day before yesterday, didn't even know such a thing existed, but I summoned up my courage and went for it, and followed up a day later with a Fleet enema. It took both strategies to clear a very stuck problem that would have likely sent me back to the hospital if it hadn't cleared, so as rude as it might have been, I am dang grateful and would do it again in a heartbeat when needed.

Whatever you do, I am rooting for you!

Thank you so much Seattlejane, I so appreciate your kindness and will probably do what he wants me to, inspite of a bad feeling.

Best Regards, Mikey

Mikey, would that be a Foley catheter? Plastic tube with mysterious holes at one end? If so, have a search here – there are a few threads on the topic.

(This didn’t work for me, although other people have had great success with it. I found the catheter blocked up almost instantly.)

Another possibility, which I personally find much easier, is a warm water enema. The easy way to do this is to buy a bottle of Fleet bowel prep, pour out the Fleet liquid, and use the enema bottle with lukewarm water.

It’s a bit of a hassle at first. I find I have to lie on my side, not great on a cold winter morning on the bathroom tiles! Hope you can find something that works for you.

I have found that I go through times when I need the warm water enema and times when I don’t.

Hello Kashami-I don't know I have never seen it.  I am doing better with just adding sweet potatoes to my diet, it seems they help me.  I guess I will see what my doctor wants me to do.  I am not well at all with so many other problems, I am 79 and I cant even believe it.

Thank you so much for reaching out to me.

Best Regards, Michael

After many years I finally got a bidet seat. I can sort of give my self an enema that way, just have to sit in the right position. It helps to clean things out. I installed it myself and didn't need electricity.

Hi Katey- You must be very handy by installing it, that's really great, I cant even hang a picture.

Thanks so much for shearing, have a beautiful day.

Best regards, Mikey