Hi-
I hate asking such an embarrassing question, but hoping to get some feedback. I had my colectomy about 12 years ago and am still confused about what is "normal". Is it normal to have formed bowel movements, or is it normal for poop to be loose? I have always gone 15+ times/day, and just found out this is not "normal" even with a j pouch.
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ranilynn, there's no need to be embarrassed, here. We talk about poop all the time!
A typical J-poucher in optimal health has soft, unformed stools, with a consistency something like pudding. Some folks run a little firmer or more liquidy than that, but the real issues are to have no urgency, no leakage, and not to have to strain to defecate.
Yes, there is no one "normal." Just like with people with a colon, there is a wide range of acceptable function.
What matters most is that you feel well. Consistency and frequency varies with each person, their diet, and whether they choose to take medications to control it. Bottom line, if you do not have urgency, cramps/pain, difficulty emptying, or bleeding, and you feel well, then you have nothing to worry about.
Jan 
Hi, I can say 15 x a day isn't normal. Were u checked for c-diff? I recently started going over 7 x a day and a lot of diarrhea and I was checked for c-diff, this is about 3 x I have it. Other than that my stools are in between depends on the day and what I eat a very big part of it. The FODMAP diet really helped. Yoga and PT pelvic floor therapy made a big difference. I feel for ya & all of us who have to battle this day in an day out. Thankful for this website I have received many good tips that the dr's didn't even advised me on. What better way to get advice then the people who live it.
I had an mre on Monday and lots of bloodwork. Going for a pouchoscopy (my first one in 11 years) and endoscopy in 2 weeks. I have recently been having some excruciating pain, but it only lasts a day and then doesn't come back for a couple of months...so weird. I'm actually very afraid of having a pouchoscopy and that's why I have waited so long. I tried to find a dr in New Jersey, but I couldn't, so I am back with my dr. in NYC that I trust, so hopefully I will be all fixed soon!
