I was wondering if anyone out there does any camping and/or hillwalking with a pouch? I used to do a fair bit as a teenager, before I had a pouch, and would like to start doing it again, but camping worries me a bit. Generally speaking, I tend to empty my pouch on waking in the morning, which (although not impossible on a hillside) isn't quite as straightforward as it is for people with working colons!
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Camping and hill walking should be fine. I was a hiking guide for a few years, and that was after my surgeries even. And I also did a fundraiser by hiking the Northville-Placid trail (in NY state) to raise money for the CCFA. At one point I was over 30 miles away from a toilet!
Here are a few tips you may want to take into consideration:
1) Hydration! Drink, drink, drink. The last thing you want is to get dehydrated. If you can by a backpack like a Camelbak, then that would be helpful.
2) Take some Imodium (or lomotil) before your hike, and pack some extra just in case.
3) Pack foods to eat that slow the bowel down. My favorite is a bagel with peanut butter - it doesn't get so smooshed in you backpack like a normal sandwich would.
4) Pack toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a small shovel (like a garden spade). In New York you have to bury your waste at least 6 inches, and be at least 100 feet (I think) from a water source. I usually have to go at least once during any given hike, especially since exercise tends to get my bowels moving too.
5) Bring a buddy! They can help if you feel sick, and also can serve as a good look out if you need to have a bowel movement.
But, yes, rest assured that hiking/walking/camping is a perfectly safe activity for us j-pouchers! Just take it easy and start small, and soon enough you will have the confidence to go on longer trips.
Hope you have a good time!
Here are a few tips you may want to take into consideration:
1) Hydration! Drink, drink, drink. The last thing you want is to get dehydrated. If you can by a backpack like a Camelbak, then that would be helpful.
2) Take some Imodium (or lomotil) before your hike, and pack some extra just in case.
3) Pack foods to eat that slow the bowel down. My favorite is a bagel with peanut butter - it doesn't get so smooshed in you backpack like a normal sandwich would.
4) Pack toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a small shovel (like a garden spade). In New York you have to bury your waste at least 6 inches, and be at least 100 feet (I think) from a water source. I usually have to go at least once during any given hike, especially since exercise tends to get my bowels moving too.
5) Bring a buddy! They can help if you feel sick, and also can serve as a good look out if you need to have a bowel movement.
But, yes, rest assured that hiking/walking/camping is a perfectly safe activity for us j-pouchers! Just take it easy and start small, and soon enough you will have the confidence to go on longer trips.
Hope you have a good time!
I do lots of thru hiking/camping in the California Sierras. My hikes are 6-11 days and anywhere from 60-145 miles. I take Vitalyte for staying hydrated, and take imodium to slow things down since all that exercise tends to increase motility. I also eat foods that have a longer transit time instead of my usual diet. I haven't had anything but positive experiences. Go prepared and enjoy!
Sue
Sue
We do both...although, our hikes are not like Sue's (HOLY HIKING GIRL!!). My pouch certainly doesn't stop me. I too take imodium, eat carbs (they do better in terms of transite time for me) and stay hydrated. I also go when I need to -- there is always a friendly bush to hide behind. 