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11 replies

J pouch not emptying

J JW280Member
I'm two days out of takedown and I just had a few questions....

The urges to go have come on stronger now that my system has woke up even more, to the point where I feel it coming and it's go time!!!

It doesn't feel as if I'm emptying all the way? Does this get better over time?

I'm also having a BM about every 45 min or hour throughout the day, little more spaced apart at night.. This will get less? Correct?

I'm trying not to strain but I have to a little to keep the bowel moving.....

And the but burn is real bad sometimes, I've been using cream but it still stings bad!!!

I was just looking for some feedback so I might have a better understanding of what's to come....
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P phonix2gMember
I agree it is perfectly normal this is all brand new to you and what is now your digestive system. Things slow down over time. Don't be afraid to continue to ask questions this site is a great support site it got me through alot of tough times. I am now almost a year from my takedown and still learning a little more everyday. Patience is the best quality you could have right now. Oh and the butt burn was one of the worst things at first but it is non-existent in my life now. Load up on the Calmoseptine it's a life saver.
S samlc25Member
The first couple weeks were very tough on me as well. It doesn't sound like what you are going through is abnormal. Some people are fortunate enough to have it easier but most not.

I ended up having pouchitis and waited too long to finally have it checked (around 3 months.)

I would give it 3 weeks to see if it gets better before doing anything but do what you feel you need to do. It was my toughest time by far of the entire process.
M MarkGregoryMember
It could be just a normal recovery, or it could be thats there a problem. I had difficulty emptying initially, and as i recovered, it got worse. For some reason with me, things get blocked off with pressure in the pouch. So I ended up having to use a catheter to eliminate that problem. If things for you continue to get worse, dont hesitate to try a catheter to eliminate. It is much better than straining and possibly damaging something.
mgmt10mgmt10Member
My surgeon explained to me that since having the ileostomy for a while, your muscles down there have to re learn going to the bathroom again because they weren't used for a while. On another thought, you can develop a stricture (scar tissue) at the anastomosis site that makes emptying difficult. I had that happen to me after takedown. You probably have a follow up appt soon with your surgeon so just make sure you tell him/her everything you're feeling. I do think this is all normal healing stuff though.
mgmt10mgmt10Member
I do hope your surgeon warned you that the first few weeks can be a bit crazy. That bugs me because many times it seems they don't tell their patients what to expect. I've been on this forum a while now and so many people come here after takedown and seem surprised that they are using the bathroom so much. It's like they weren't filled in.

It does get better....hang in there!
J JW280Member
My main concern right now is I really thought from what I have read and told by my surgeon that I would have better control over my bowel movements. It's such a foreign feeling at this point when I have "to go". It takes over my body and my thoughts.. And each time it's only a little bit of stool. I wish my pouch would fill like its intended to before I have to go.

Once again, I reminds me of the days with UC. It had that same control on me.. I'm trying to go through my new daily routine the best I can. With knowing that it will only get better with time.

I hope!!!!!
Jan DollarJan DollarModerator, RN, retired
The pouch capacity is very small in the beginning. Plus, it is very sensitive/irritated and not used to it's new function. Add to that the pressure that gas creates, and you are bound to have frequency and urgency. Each week you should see some progress, both in your ability to delay a bowel movement, and your ability to sense what is going on.

The best medicine for this is tincture of time. Most of us would rather have some sort of way to short cut this process, but it takes what it takes to get the adaptation done. I was on maximum Imodium dose right out of the gate and it did not seem to slow me that much.

Jan Smiler

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