Do we have to eat?

I am on Total Parateneal Nutrition (TPN). It's like liquid food/calories that are put directly into your blood stream. It is definitely NOT a replacement for food.

But, the fluid has a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) in it to reduce indigestion/acid reflux from having an empty stomach. Maybe you can try one of those.

You could alternate days of eating with days of drinking high quality protein shakes. I know a jpoucher that swears by Shakeology products.

Sue

This makes me laugh ( although I know a sensitive subject) as I often have the same thoughts. I have found oatmeal in the morn and basically less food intake allows me to visit the bathroom less frequently. I have not tried fasting for a day for the fear of what you mentioned. I think the ideal 3/6 times a day for pouch activity is just that...ideal. Maybe some are lucky enough to experience that with a pouch.

I wouldn't suggest not eating. Skipping meals actually gives me more gas and an almost straight liquid output (I know this from suffering through a few rounds of the clear fluid diet for pouchoscopies).

Instead, you could try a very low residue/low acid/low sugar diet for a few days - oatmeal, applesauce (unsweetened/reduced acid varieties), plain rice, hard cheeses and/or cottage cheese (there is lactose free now!), scrambled eggs, poached or boiled chicken (tasty *LOL*), and almond milk (unsweetened). You can also try broths and liquid shakes to supplement, but avoid anything fibrous or high in sugar.

Doesn't sound very appetizing, but I understand the constant eat/poop cycle can put you off food as well. It's worth a go, rather than swearing off food for days entirely, which, among other things, also runs the risk of messing up your electrolytes and getting you into a whole other pickle you'd probably want to avoid.

Please don't fast. Not only will it wreak havoc with your pouch it is very hard on your body. Everyone needs a basic amount of energy in order to keep all systems working. Without this energy you risk electrolyte imbalance, cardiac stress, low blood sugars, dehydration etc etc etc.
From what I understand pooping 6-8 times a day is normal for a j-pouch.

When I was on my medically managed weight loss diet of less than 1000 calories per day for about 3 months, not only did I see quick weight loss, I had good results with my j-pouch output.

They had seen plenty of folks with IBD in the program, but never had anyone post colectomy, so they were also interested in how I would do.

Since the program focuses on 6 small meals throughout the day, my gut was seldom empty. Not only did this stop hunger pangs, it also kept me from having the "churning gut" I get from fasting before a procedure. I lived on protein shakes and meal bars for those three months, then gradually replaced them with real food.

So, the point is that you can reduce your output and regulate it quite nicely, if you are willing to be bored to death with protein shakes. Way better than a total fast on so many levels.

Jan

I would suggest you to eat less. If you practice it ultimately you would visit bathroom less frequently.
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