Hello. I had my takedown surgery on June 7th, and have some q's about the new pouch. Is there anything I can take to help with hemorrhoids as well as some anal bleeding (from the hemorrhoids)? It is becoming more and more uncomfortable to pass stool with the burning. Also, did anyone have crampy-like pain when you needed to pass stool? Does that last forever? If not, how long did yours last? I'm having a hard time falling asleep at night because as soon as I lay down and start to get comfortable, I can feel pressure to have to get up and go. Like every 5 minutes. I guess I just thought it would be different. This is almost as bad as my UC symptoms. I'm trying to be patient and give my body time to adjust, but frankly, I'm exhausted. And sore. I'm afraid to go walking because my bottom gets all crampy feeling. I have been sticking to the diet (which is a lot to say, considering I'm a coffee addict, lol). Not eating right before bedtime, so I don't have to get up multiple times during the night (like it helps any though). I'm keeping hydrated. I just don't know what else to do. Any thoughts or suggestions would be a huge help. Thanks!
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How you are feeling is perfectly normal for how early it is in your recovery . I went through the same thing around the same time after my takedown. No need to get paranoid it will get easier as time goes on. I had my takedown March 23rd and now it is a world of difference. You most likely will see your bathroom trips lessen as time goes by and the pressure subside. I still get that uncomfortable pressure sometimes but its mostly now when I have gas. Are you able to pass gas or are you a little to afraid to try? Don't be embarrassed if you are afraid to try I felt the same way but sometimes you gotta just try because the pressure that you are feeling could just be gas. There are people that can pass gas and others that need to run to the bathroom to pass stool before they are able to let gas out. Trust me I've had a couple accidents by playing this game of roulette.
Are you sure you have hemorrhoids because us jpouchers (especially right after takedown) experience what we like to call "butt burn". Not the most pleasant days of our lives. I would invest in baby wipes and calmoseptine which is now sold in Walgreens if you have one near you otherwise you can order it. I personally think that is the best cream to get to keep the skin surrounding the anus healthy. This is only my suggestion of what I like as a soothing butt paste others will also give you suggestions that are different than mine. We are all different and with this you will have to experiment to see what works for you. I haven't had any hemorrhoids post takedown so I can't give you suggestions on that but I would think you would use the normal hemorrhoid ointment. I trying to grasp how you would develop hemmroida because at this point you shouldn't be pushing your stool out that hard to get them.
Diet is probably the number 1 priority when it comes to having a new pouch. This is also going to take some experimenting because we are all different in this aspect. You should read up on some foods that will bulk up your stool for example: potatoes, bananas, etc. I also took a tbsp of Citrucel 3 times a day to help keep somewhat normal formed stool. I also suggest probiotics. Once again everyone has their preference of probiotics I personally use VSL#3 which is supposed to be the best out there although very expensive depending on your insurance. This is going to put the good bacteria back into your system to fight off all the bad bacteria that might cause infections such as (which I'm sure you've heard of) the famous pouch it is. I would highly recommend keeping a food log on what you eat for the next month or so to see how they affect you and then you can alter your diet properly.
Time and patience are the 2 most important things to have while you are recovering. Things are not going to great overnight. This process takes weeks and months to get adjusted to. You are going to have good days and bass days but in the beginning more bad than good. I just want to be completely honest so you have an understanding of what you're in store for. Unfortunately a lot of new Jpouchers have had surgeons that have not thoroughly explained how life is going to be without a colon and that's why there is a website like this for support. Use this site to gain as much knowledge, support, advice, and tips and tricks that any experienced jpoucher has to offer because I did and it helped me tremendously. Good Luck and Congrats on making the decision to not have your life controlled by a diseased colon.
Are you sure you have hemorrhoids because us jpouchers (especially right after takedown) experience what we like to call "butt burn". Not the most pleasant days of our lives. I would invest in baby wipes and calmoseptine which is now sold in Walgreens if you have one near you otherwise you can order it. I personally think that is the best cream to get to keep the skin surrounding the anus healthy. This is only my suggestion of what I like as a soothing butt paste others will also give you suggestions that are different than mine. We are all different and with this you will have to experiment to see what works for you. I haven't had any hemorrhoids post takedown so I can't give you suggestions on that but I would think you would use the normal hemorrhoid ointment. I trying to grasp how you would develop hemmroida because at this point you shouldn't be pushing your stool out that hard to get them.
Diet is probably the number 1 priority when it comes to having a new pouch. This is also going to take some experimenting because we are all different in this aspect. You should read up on some foods that will bulk up your stool for example: potatoes, bananas, etc. I also took a tbsp of Citrucel 3 times a day to help keep somewhat normal formed stool. I also suggest probiotics. Once again everyone has their preference of probiotics I personally use VSL#3 which is supposed to be the best out there although very expensive depending on your insurance. This is going to put the good bacteria back into your system to fight off all the bad bacteria that might cause infections such as (which I'm sure you've heard of) the famous pouch it is. I would highly recommend keeping a food log on what you eat for the next month or so to see how they affect you and then you can alter your diet properly.
Time and patience are the 2 most important things to have while you are recovering. Things are not going to great overnight. This process takes weeks and months to get adjusted to. You are going to have good days and bass days but in the beginning more bad than good. I just want to be completely honest so you have an understanding of what you're in store for. Unfortunately a lot of new Jpouchers have had surgeons that have not thoroughly explained how life is going to be without a colon and that's why there is a website like this for support. Use this site to gain as much knowledge, support, advice, and tips and tricks that any experienced jpoucher has to offer because I did and it helped me tremendously. Good Luck and Congrats on making the decision to not have your life controlled by a diseased colon.
That was supposed to say pouchitis not pouch it is. Stupid autocorrect
If you don't have a bidet I'd suggest getting a bidet sprayer. I have one and wish I'd had it from day one. I ordered mine from Diabeties.com for less than $50 and my husband installed it in 10 minutes. It is basically an old time kitchen sprayer attached to the water supply to your toilet. Each BM I spray myself clean then dab dry with ultra soft or ultra strong charmin.
Calmoseptine is #1 with me too. You can order cheaper 3 at a time on Amazon, but you only save about $1 each tube.
Also have plenty of baby wipes that have no alcahol in them. I use Walgreens generic brand some people have favorite brands.
You can also order bidet spray bottles from Amazon.com that are good to take on overnight trips or vacations.
For now get in the shower or tub as often as you can. You have 30% more bile acid than before coming out, you are going more and you have not been using your rear while you had your stoma. Your skin is under attack.
You can try to put prep H ointment or suppositories in but it will probably hurt more, I tried. I also bought their wipes, not better. I did buy plain Witch Hazel by the bottle, which is what prep H's main ingredient is and apply it by dabbing a saturated cotton ball on the area and it was soothing and cheap. The blood could still be from healing or broken skin.
I used generic metamucil filled caplets vs mixing it with fluid. I found it easier to swallow - plus we are to take with less fluid so it will swell up more once inside. We are still to drink plenty of fluid - just not with the fiber. I also used generic imodium. My surgeon wrote a schedule out for me and I used the fiber caplets before each meal along with imodium with each meal and before bed. This is really important to slow everything down and get rest. You can take 8 a day. I suggest you save 2 for before bed time.
I was afraid I'd leak and didn't want to take a sleeping pill until someone on here encouraged me to take a sleeping pill anyway. I did and slept on a pad, I didn't leak and woke up when I had to go. I didn't sleep too long but got 3-4 hours and found it easier to go to sleep again. I kept sleeping on a pad, so I wouldn't worry and only had a few small problems.
I feel for you. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again and wish I'd done it sooner...Good Luck
Calmoseptine is #1 with me too. You can order cheaper 3 at a time on Amazon, but you only save about $1 each tube.
Also have plenty of baby wipes that have no alcahol in them. I use Walgreens generic brand some people have favorite brands.
You can also order bidet spray bottles from Amazon.com that are good to take on overnight trips or vacations.
For now get in the shower or tub as often as you can. You have 30% more bile acid than before coming out, you are going more and you have not been using your rear while you had your stoma. Your skin is under attack.
You can try to put prep H ointment or suppositories in but it will probably hurt more, I tried. I also bought their wipes, not better. I did buy plain Witch Hazel by the bottle, which is what prep H's main ingredient is and apply it by dabbing a saturated cotton ball on the area and it was soothing and cheap. The blood could still be from healing or broken skin.
I used generic metamucil filled caplets vs mixing it with fluid. I found it easier to swallow - plus we are to take with less fluid so it will swell up more once inside. We are still to drink plenty of fluid - just not with the fiber. I also used generic imodium. My surgeon wrote a schedule out for me and I used the fiber caplets before each meal along with imodium with each meal and before bed. This is really important to slow everything down and get rest. You can take 8 a day. I suggest you save 2 for before bed time.
I was afraid I'd leak and didn't want to take a sleeping pill until someone on here encouraged me to take a sleeping pill anyway. I did and slept on a pad, I didn't leak and woke up when I had to go. I didn't sleep too long but got 3-4 hours and found it easier to go to sleep again. I kept sleeping on a pad, so I wouldn't worry and only had a few small problems.
I feel for you. Been there, done that, don't want to do it again and wish I'd done it sooner...Good Luck