Has anyone had a problem where they have to rush to the bathroom and barely make it? I've had a J-pouch since 2014 - I had this problem when I had ulcerative colitis, but this has started recently with my J-pouch. I'm wondering if maybe I have pouchitis? If this has been a problem for anyone, what has helped with this?
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I eat organic psyllium, fine ground, before every meal. Well, actually, I drink it by adding it to water. Usually a heaping teaspoon of powder to 8 oz water. This firms up the stools and decreases urgency for me. I also have started taking digestive enzymes, which help reduce the watery texture because the food is better digested and moves more slowly through the system. As I have aged, I don't seem to be producing enough enzymes. It's pretty common, especially in people who have reconstructed and missing guts.
Some people mention that probiotics help. Do you have any other symptoms that could indicate pouchitis, such as fever, tiredness, aches, tender groin, etc.?
Thank you for your quick reply. My gut hurts once in awhile, but if I lay on my stomach I think it is just gas build-up because I feel better once I get up. What kind of digestive enzymes do you take? I've never taken them, but would like to try to see if they help. I'm wondering if Metamucil would work if I drank that before meals. I may try that. Thank you, so much, once again.
Metamucil is mostly psyllium, it just is not organic and isn't as finely ground as what I like, so it's a bit harder on the way out...and I seem to have a very sensitive anus. I also don't want the extra ingredients in Metamucil. Plain psyllium is good. Tastes good too.
The enzymes I take are the generic form of "Beano" when I'm having cruciferous veggies, beans, peas, or peanuts (legumes). I take "Plant Enzymes" from "NOW" when I eat things like grains, fat, walnuts, etc. Also, I take an expensive enzyme called "FODZYME" when I eat dairy or stuff with garlic/onions. I tried one for wheat but the jury is out. I just mostly avoid wheat. I would like to get back into at least some nice, whole grain wheat experiments but I'm waiting for a while to try again. I'd start with the plant enzymes (pretty much with every meal) and the fake beano with your kale and etc. Fake beano is cheaper and you can get it at your grocery or drug store. Usually the generic doesn't have sugar, a bonus, and it's cheaper. Here's a link for "plant enzymes", but you don't have to get them online. Any grocery store worth a darn should have them. If not there, then certainly a food coop or natural grocery store would have them. https://www.swansonvitamins.co...aps?otherSize=NWF082
Another thing to keep an eye on, and you probably already know this, is electrolytes and water intake. Drinking lots of water seems to help with lots of issues. And whenever you do that (and especially if your stools are watery), you have to supplement with more electrolytes, much more than your average colon owner. Electrolytes can help me feel more energetic and help all my muscles function better, including those peristaltic ones (in the guts). It's something I forget about sometimes. I'm like, "why am I feeling so blah?" and then I ask myself, "have you been having your waters and salts?"
Developing urgency after 10 years of good pouch function sure sounds like pouchitis to me. 10-14 days of Cipro or Flagyl would probably clear that up easily. I won’t argue against psyllium if the stool consistency isn’t ideal.
@Papa posted:Has anyone had a problem where they have to rush to the bathroom and barely make it? I've had a J-pouch since 2014 - I had this problem when I had ulcerative colitis, but this has started recently with my J-pouch. I'm wondering if maybe I have pouchitis? If this has been a problem for anyone, what has helped with this?
Yes- urgency, increased frequency, incomplete evacuation, and loose or watery stools are all signs of pouchitis. You need a course of Cipro and Flagyl as mentioned above. If things are better 48 hours after starting the antibiotics, you have your answer.
Thanks to both Scott and Sara. Yes, I'm thinking possibly pouchitis also. I might give Cipro or Flagyl a try to see if that'll help. Otherwise I may see my GI doctor to see what's going on. The urgency is what concerns me.
@Papa posted:Thanks to both Scott and Sara. Yes, I'm thinking possibly pouchitis also. I might give Cipro or Flagyl a try to see if that'll help. Otherwise I may see my GI doctor to see what's going on. The urgency is what concerns me.
A pouchoscopy would be informative if you can get one quickly!
Thanks to everyone for your responses. We'll take advise and also make an appt. with GI doctor about pouchitis. Thanks again!
