got out of hospital yesterday (Friday) and of course that's when things start to get wild. Started solid foods Thursday. All of a sudden, my bowel movements seem sudden and hard to control without clinching butt hard. Gone to the bathroom 14 times (watery to loose bowel movements). Know I was told to sit for a while to ensure everything cleared out of pouch but frankly it hurts the rectal area. So much so that I believe it is a hemorrhoid that has developed. I am not sure that I was told to expect this and frankly don't know what to expect. Everything seemed to be going ok since my operation before release. Should I be taking Metamucil? Were you all told to do that upon your discharge from hospital? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Want to call hospital but with it being the weekend not sure I will get anyone who can advise.
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Here are some thoughts (others will have more):
1) Use a barrier cream after every BM
2) It's okay (good, even) to clinch your butt hard. Think of it as exercise
3) I used Metamucil from the beginning. Surgeons give variable instructions on this.
4) I used Lomotil from the beginning. Surgeons vary in their preferences.
5) Gently experiment with delaying BMs. This is sometimes called "stretching the pouch."
6) Be patient with yourself and your pouch. You're climbing a steep hill, and the only way up is one step at a time.
I just left the hospital from takedown two hours ago. I was given no instructions for barrier cream, Metamucil or lomotil. I hope you find better results.
Hi there!
So, wow... yeah, This was the hardest time for me. I was not prepared for how difficult the "hardening off" period was, or the regulation of the bowel.
So, as dumb as it may sound, the first thing that I would recommend is to talk to your body. You just went through a trauma for it, and tell it that you know it's been rough and that you are going to take care of it as best as you can. That you are on its side. Then ask it to be on your side and help you figure out what you need to do.
The big thing is to pay attention, and don't be in any hurry. You will be in this transition longer than you want to. This is a train station, a dirty gross pit stop on the way to St. Peters Cathedral, so it's important to remember what is going on right now is merely a stopping point. But you gotta be here and work this part thoroughly so you can leave. It will be important find ways to control stress (meet with friends, take up breath work or yoga, or gardening). Whatever your thing is that makes you relax the muscles and let go and say everything is going to be okay. This will allow your body to come out of fight or flight mode and start rebuilding your body.
Then from there, take an Imodium in the morning and I would eat plain foods like a baby would, like potatoes, rice, yams, sweet potatoes, toast, pastas, etc. I would really recommend staying away from dairy. That tends to form bacteria in the pouch. After you get some continence, look into an anti-inflammation diet, it made a huge difference for me. (but I would wait a bit, because this stage is hard)
Drink enough water to stay hydrated, I drink about 3 liters a day now, but I had to work up to it.
Don't push on the rectum... it really does make things worse... holding it in is a good idea. it stretches the pouch. It is not true that you will be where you are in 2 years, I actually went about 8 years before I leveled out. I am at the point where it's pretty good and I can hold it if I need to for up to half an hour when my body says it's time.
During the day I out the cotton roll down there to give my skin a break, and to offer a dryness to the damp ache that comes with this.
Oh wow! I thought I was doing well and then a blast of uncontrollable watery bm that had me covered by the time I took 4 steps to the bathroom. Help. I did take stool softener with pain pills this morning. Anyone know about this? Just part of the healing? Or what the new normal will be like?
Hi Sharon,
absolutely happened with me as well the last couple of days since I've been home. I was going up to 14 times on the weekend and it was hard to handle. Took site bath to cool anal area. Sacred the hell out of me. I went ahead last night and took Metamucil. I also reached out to my surgeon to ensure its ok because while I had it on the handout I received upon discharge, I am told every surgeon is different in what they may want you to apply. So far today has been better. A little more bulk to stool and doesn't kill coming out. Not sure that a stool softener is need in your current state.
Dont hesitate to to contact your surgeon or nurses for their advice as well. I'm waiting to hear from mine.