I think all they can give you is gas ex or something like that. Sometimes that only takes the edge off. Usually walking helps a lot to get things moving. I know how painful it can be any pain meds help? How many days post taken down are you? Did you have the NG tube bc of the gas specifically? Or was it for another reason?

So sorry you’re going through this!

Always helped me to stand up bend over to touch my toes til I fell some urgency/pressure, then sit back down.

i just felt the nausea was related to gas - but was not 100% sure.  My surgery was on Thursday, NG tube came out on Saturday - Sunday I was very very bloated. Feel a little better now tho.  Thanks for asking.  I bet I will just take some time.  Bending on the toilet does help.  

That bending over and touching your toes trick worked great for me

Thanks guys

I know drinking water helps my gas. Are you pooping now? Are you feeling better?

Seconding all the folks recommending bending over! I'm one week from my ostomy reversal and sometimes plagued by really painful gas. I sit on the toilet, then bend at the waist and elevate my bum, and when I feel the gas shift to the end of the j-pouch, I quickly sit back down and push very gently. It's helping a lot. Good luck, we're in this together, man!

P.S. File all this under "things I never expected to write on the internet."

Hi Doug,

Hope you are feeling better.

i cringe when i think of the NG tube-it didn't work for me as i have always had sinus issues, and my nose bled when then tried to put it in.

lying in a fetal position helps with gas too, not sure if anyone mentioned this?

take care,

Jean

on your side, at any rate

Doug,

I had the NG Tube as well, and when I had it, it was "one size fits all". I was made to understand that they have a pediatric sized NG tube these days. Not sure if that is right or not. I didn't think they would fit the adult size into my nostril because it's very tiny, and I also have a deviated septum secondary to breaking my nose while playing softball. But they got it down pretty quickly. But it's something you should ask in case you need the dreaded NG tube again, which unfortunately down the road you might, and if it's an emergency down the road due to blockage or whatever you should know what other options are available, sooner rather than later.

Regarding the gas issue, I like the suggestions of  @Jaydog and @Kmiller posted above. It's probably premature for you to be taking anything like Pepto Bismol, which I would recommend further out from takedown as it crushes these kinds of issues but also has a constipating effect. I think having a lot of gas after takedown is somewhat normal. In terms of what you can take orally or medicinally, you should talk to your treating surgeon.

You guys are my hero’s.  Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I bent over and touched the floor - and it worked.  Unreal relief.  It sounded like a bomb went off.  No embarrassment- just joy.

@Doug K posted:

You guys are my hero’s.  Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I bent over and touched the floor - and it worked.  Unreal relief.  It sounded like a bomb went off.  No embarrassment- just joy.

Your welcome, glad you are doing better

Hope you get to go home soon

@Doug K posted:

You guys are my hero’s.  Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I bent over and touched the floor - and it worked.  Unreal relief.  It sounded like a bomb went off.  No embarrassment- just joy.

I was the same way. I was dying and somebody on here I think it was kmiller suggested the bend over method and it worked immediately. What a relief

Gosh - it was a game changer

It's my go to advice So glad it worked!!

I found that yoga child pose would help me pass the gas.

Thanks man.  Touching my toes seems to help also.  I will try out your suggestion.  Thanks so much for responding.  Best Doug

Hi Doug,

I think we had takedown the same day. I too have been suffering from gas.

I thought if I stopped eating by 400 pm by system would shut down and no gas in the middle of night

Wrong!

More gas in middle of night. Sat in toilet for an hour at 300 am to relieve. Bent over touch toes, etc.  Finally got some relief.

then I ate some crackers and got some sleep

so I am trying to figure this all out our new plumbing. I guess everyone will have a new normal that works for them.

Pls everyone keep those thoughts and ideas coming as I will keep everyone updated

I do see surgeon tomorrow for staple removal and will get his thoughts, but as I much I as hate to, we have to keep eating and get healthy and strong again.

@New577 posted:

Hi Doug,

I think we had takedown the same day. I too have been suffering from gas.

I thought if I stopped eating by 400 pm by system would shut down and no gas in the middle of night

Wrong!

More gas in middle of night. Sat in toilet for an hour at 300 am to relieve. Bent over touch toes, etc.  Finally got some relief.

then I ate some crackers and got some sleep

so I am trying to figure this all out our new plumbing. I guess everyone will have a new normal that works for them.

Pls everyone keep those thoughts and ideas coming as I will keep everyone updated

I do see surgeon tomorrow for staple removal and will get his thoughts, but as I much I as hate to, we have to keep eating and get healthy and strong again.

Staple removal? Where are you getting staples removed from? Take down site?

@Doug K posted:

Thanks man.  Touching my toes seems to help also.  I will try out your suggestion.  Thanks so much for responding.  Best Doug

Are you home?

Yes staples being removed from take down site.

no open wound for me. Stoma area pulled tightly  together like it never existed.

Congrats.  I am home also.  I got a nasty case of diversion pouchitis (because I waiting nine months for my takedown).  I had some dehydration problems and blood clots and a massive hernia.  Anyway - I am doing pretty well.  I am back to work,  but still at home due to Covid.  I am running to the toilet a ton, but that could also be due to the pouchitis.  How many times to you stool a day?

Btw 7 and 10 right now

will see surgeon tomorrow for post surgery follow-up

will get info on Imodium/lomotil/fiber etc.

I’m just trying to figure this all out.

everybody says it’s gets better.

I hope so. I (we) made a huge sacrifice to be cancer free so I am looking forward to having many years of a well functioning pouch where we can eat anything.

To us!

Between 7 and 10 is amazing.  Congrats.  I am going about 25 times.  All day and all night.

@Doug K posted:

Congrats.  I am home also.  I got a nasty case of diversion pouchitis (because I waiting nine months for my takedown).  I had some dehydration problems and blood clots and a massive hernia.  Anyway - I am doing pretty well.  I am back to work,  but still at home due to Covid.  I am running to the toilet a ton, but that could also be due to the pouchitis.  How many times to you stool a day?

I did not know you had a hernia, sorry to hear that! And do not worry about your stool. At your stage in takedown, I was going about 40x a day- and now its 14-20X a day. Since your at 25 now, I am thing it will be probably at 10-12 after a while for you.

If your going to be a 9%er in the long run, you have family here that are 9%ers too

@New577 posted:

Btw 7 and 10 right now

will see surgeon tomorrow for post surgery follow-up

will get info on Imodium/lomotil/fiber etc.

I’m just trying to figure this all out.

everybody says it’s gets better.

I hope so. I (we) made a huge sacrifice to be cancer free so I am looking forward to having many years of a well functioning pouch where we can eat anything.

To us!

Let us know how it goes hon

Thanks Lauren.  

@Doug K posted:

Thanks Lauren.  

Your welcome dear