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13 replies

chia seeds

L loserMember
Hi everyone. Long time no hear. Never thought I could make it past those first couple weeks, months let alone years. To everyone that has had problems I feel for ya. I did luck out not getting abscess or other major problems. I did had one blockage close to beginning thought I was going to have a bag forever. It happen when I ate salad. It took me a long time try it again, I still get scared when I eat stuff that could cause blockage.
My issue today is after 6 years I'm afraid I'm sick again. My back has been hurting and I lost weight (not complaining) and go almost every hr. and really tired. So since I had gain a lot weight back I tried to eat healthier. So I have tried all kinds of things. One currently being "organic chia seeds" so since there is no manuals for us j-pouchers so its been a real hit or miss. So any long timers know is "chia seeds" not good for us? Are they why I have diarrhea and go a lot? They don't make me feel "fuller" like they supposedly say..any feedback??:-\
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Scott FScott FMember
Perhaps you have developed pouchitis. If that's the case a couple of weeks of antibiotics clears it right up for most folks. Best to see your gastroenterologist (ideally one who knows something about J-pouches). Have you ever had a pouchoscopy?

I don't know anything about chia seeds, but I wouldn't expect them to help if it's pouchitis.
Jan DollarJan DollarModerator, RN, retired
Chia seeds are a very good source of source of soluble fiber and omega-3 fatty acid. However, there is nothing under the sun that is great for everyone.

I suspect you have an individual intolerance to chia. The other possibility is that you are using too much. I would suggest you stop it completely for a week or so and see if things don't improve. If you begin to feel better, then you know it was the chia. If not, you may have pouchitis. Fiber supplements can be more irritating if you have pouchitis.

Once things are sorted out and if you want to try chia again, use half or less.

Hope that helps.

Jan Smiler
L loserMember
This for replies. Unfortunately I have been down that rd. with pouchitis. I don't do well with flagyl and cipro only works for a couple days then starts over. I even went thru my share of supporties. If anything my system is immune to the drugs. I thought maybe I was using too many Chias but smoothies/puddings only call for 1\2-1T. of them. I also get my yrly pouchscopy. At least now I do have a doctor that knows abt them more than my surgeon at that time did.
Its just hard to know things that really work for us because what everyday doctor, peers or things you read don't always work for us. I even went to a nutrionist and the things she said I could eat were alot of carbs..think that's what made me heavier..
Take an example: back in the day when I had the bag, they said eat p.b. or marshmallows to slow it down,,,well odd ball me it just either made it worse or no affect at all. Instead I'm hooked on p.b. til this day. So its a wonder there isn't a book out there designed for us..like people eat fish,hot stuff or vegabtables I never heard of(I can't eat that)...thats the trouble I have with eating normal
Jan DollarJan DollarModerator, RN, retired
Well, unfortunately, there is no "j-pouch guide," other than the few months post op. Why? Because each of us have different tolerances and personal tastes. Maybe something is great for your gut, but you don't like it. Foods you like might sabotage your function.

Unless your doc is finding evidence of pouchitis, you may not have it. Even if it was bacterial overgrowth, antibiotics would help. That leaves either food intolerances or IPS (irritable pouch syndrome) or both.

Even if the amount of chia you are using seems small, if you are intolerant of it, it will cause symptoms. If you are very intolerant, the longer you consume it, the worse your symptoms get. The only way to know is to stop the chia seeds. Particularly if you are not getting the desired result, I see no point in eating them. It may not be an issue for you, but if it were me, I'd stop them.

Jan Smiler
L loserMember
Yes. Matter fact I finally got a prescription in for supporities. There again its like cipro for me, after awhile it stops working. Chia seeds sure don't give me energy. Thats why I'm trying to find things to get back on track. Again I'm tired,back hurts and sluggish. So I'm trying to eat healthier again. I'm having trouble w/old habits coming back. So having this discomfort I can't find things that are making my pouch/backside worse.
S Susan 1000Member

Ok, this is years later, and I truly hope your issues are solved by now.  Just in case it might help, I’m including something I posted earlier today:

  Having a JPOUCH means you must learn to manage it, or life is a misery.  Banatrol Plus  and psyllium have really helped me.   The Banatrol Plus comes with a one tablespoon scoop.  What I have learned about my JPouch is that one scoop of Banatrol Plus, and two scoops of original formula KONSYL (psyllium) mixed with about 4-5 ounces  of ice water will control the loose, often acidic  stools and diarrhea that are part of living with a JPOUCH.  DO NOT drink anything for about an hour before and after taking this mixture.  If you do, you’ll defeat the purpose of thickening the stool.  The mixture of Banatrol and KONSYL will be a little thick and lumpy, about like a malt.  Take sips of ice water to help get it down.  This mixture, plus the occasional Imodium AD, makes living with a JPouch almost like “normal.”  (I’ve had mine for over 30 years. If you’ve just gotten one, hang in there.  It does get better.)   Banatrol Plus is an excellent stool thickener if you can take it.   The taste is tolerable but not great.  I think it’s a good value for what it means to my quality of life. This, plus Konsyle, is a game changer with a JPOUCH.  Just remember not to drink much water an hour before and an hour after taking it.  I also eat white rice almost everyday.  

Y ytcrockpotMember
@Susan 1000 posted:

Ok, this is years later, and I truly hope your issues are solved by now.  Just in case it might help, I’m including something I posted earlier today:

  Having a JPOUCH means you must learn to manage it, or life is a misery.  Banatrol Plus  and psyllium have really helped me.   The Banatrol Plus comes with a one tablespoon scoop.  What I have learned about my JPouch is that one scoop of Banatrol Plus, and two scoops of original formula KONSYL (psyllium) mixed with about 4-5 ounces  of ice water will control the loose, often acidic  stools and diarrhea that are part of living with a JPOUCH.  DO NOT drink anything for about an hour before and after taking this mixture.  If you do, you’ll defeat the purpose of thickening the stool.  The mixture of Banatrol and KONSYL will be a little thick and lumpy, about like a malt.  Take sips of ice water to help get it down.  This mixture, plus the occasional Imodium AD, makes living with a JPouch almost like “normal.”  (I’ve had mine for over 30 years. If you’ve just gotten one, hang in there.  It does get better.)   Banatrol Plus is an excellent stool thickener if you can take it.   The taste is tolerable but not great.  I think it’s a good value for what it means to my quality of life. This, plus Konsyle, is a game changer with a JPOUCH.  Just remember not to drink much water an hour before and an hour after taking it.  I also eat white rice almost everyday.  

Thanks for posting this, I’m gonna give it a try. I’ve tried both separately, they work for a while then stop, I’ve been the chia & flax seed route, I feel like I’ve done it all in my 40+ years of j-pouch.

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