I have had my pouch for 22 years now and found that often I must lay on my belly to pass gas. I see that this is an experience that is shared by some others. Does anyone understand why this happens? Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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Since a J-poucher's stool usually is unformed, it's not well separated from the gas, and a "clean fart" may not be reliable. I generally only pass gas on the toilet. If I have a substantial amount of gas, and simple measures don't help, I tend to get treated for SIBO.
I have to lay down on mt stomach as well. Otherwise the pressure is unbearable!
Well, the issue is more that if I lay down, it is possible for me to pass gas without passing stool and I am wondering why this would be. This doesn't seem to be a side effect that the MD's mention.
It is physics. Gas rises. Liquids and solids settle by gravity. Your position will determine which comes out first. For most, it is not worth the bother to lay down just to fart, when you can sit on the pot and fully empty your pouch. Plus, for me, I wouldn't even trust it when laying down.
Jan
I find this too and on the toilet at the end of each expulsion, particularly if I strain a little there is a marvelous explosion of the gas with a detonation that can be heard all over the house. In bed I can often pass a rumble of non odorous gas, sometimes in my sleep that awakens me to greet the dawn. As others have noted it's due to the behaviour of gases; like gases generated in a murky slime pond that arise from the deep with a plop, the gas rises whilst standing or sitting, but bypass the contents whilst lying. I can tell the difference between the stools demand in whatever state, and the desire for a deadly release whilst lying down.
Hmmm, the physics part makes sense in most ways except that I actually often have difficulty passing gas when sitting up, so maybe that is the part that is unusual, does any one else experience this?
Sitting compresses the bottom and the anal outlet to prevent any sort of escape. I can sit for ages but as soon as I stand up I have to make a dash for it!
Plus, when sitting up, your anus is down, and pouch is up. Gas rises.
Jan
I get down on my knees and then prop one leg against something, a wall, a piece of
Furniture. I learned tbis technique from a nurse.
Hm, ok cool well it sounds like its not that unusual of an issue. Sort of odd though. I definitely don't feel like this is a side effect my MD's mentioned (hehe).
I taught children with severe disabilities for many years. One little girl would not relax enough to have a B.M. in the toilet. One day I kept her on the toilet for about 5 minutes. Then, I told her we were finished. I stood her up in front of the toilet and in a minute or so plopped her back down on the toilet. Success every time. Well, when I had my takedown I had a bashful sphincter which refused to relax enough to let me expel stool. I tried the same trick on myself. I'd sit on the toilet for a few minutes, stand up and almost immediately sit back down on the toilet. Success!
For years I've been posting that 90% of the time in order to pass gas I have to lie down on my side. As Jan says, anus down, pouch up, gas rises but to me it's like a game. I can feel the gas moving around as I roll from side to side, it's almost like I'm steering it through the maze of my intestines. I guess we're all different inside depending on how our surgeons layed things out before they closed us up. I wonder if it matters if the surgeon is left handed or right handed?
My pouch must be really screwed up then. I can't really pass gas while laying on my stomach. The rare times I can get away wit it, it's usually on my back. I wish I could get away with it while lying on my stomach, if that was the case, maybe I wouldn't wake up so much in the middle of my sleep since I usually fall asleep on my stomach.
It happens to me when I am on m side.
I just remembered a humorous incident I had while still in the hospital after my takedown. My surgeon entered my room to find me in bed on my knees with my butt up in the air. He asked what I was doing and I explained very simply that I was taking advantage of gas rising! I've since learned I can lie down on my right side with my knees drawn up and get the same results. Fortunately, I have several choices to take advantage of! It is a journey of discovery!
I find that laying on my left side only helps to pass gas and break up a small blockage.
I don't know why on the left, but it has always been like that for me since my takedown
it's all good����
I find lying on one side and then the other moves the gas to freedom. I will on occassion actually pass gas confidently while standing up and that my friends is a victory , a triumph and cause for the greatest of celebration. Ah yes Mr. Stinky, you've escaped, you're free, fly with the wind and bless you for leaving.