It would seem that perhaps you are another victim of SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). The symptoms are the same as pouchitis but there is no evidence of pouchitis on endoscopy. The treatment is the same however, antibiotics. For many with SIBO, probiotics seem to make it worse. I suppose it depends on which ones you are taking. If you do a search here for bacterial overgrowth or SIBO, you will find many posts.

Jan

While pouchitis might be treated with a couple of weeks of antibiotics, SIBO is often treated for a few months.

Cezanne,

I have had similar symptoms that you are describiing. I have also had severe pouchitis from time to time and now I have Bacterial Overgrowth and am being treated with Xifixan for a month. I am still on the meds for at least another 5 days or so but my symptoms have not gone away.

I have constant diarrhea with watery stools, gas, bloating and so forth. After I eat I am bloated. Yesterday, I must have went to the bathroom more than a dozen times. Its worse after I eat that I am afraid to eat.

I took the liquid Imodium 4 times yesterday and had at least 6 oz of this stuff with no relief. I also took Pepto Bismol too.

I see my GI this Monday. At first they wanted to schedule me for an Endoscopic Ultrasound but I requested instead another two week meds of Xifaxan. So now I know that drug is not working so I will have to have the Ultrasound.

Rocket

Rocket -- have you been tested for C. diff?

Pluot,

No I haven't been tested for C.diff. But thanks for bringing that up so I can bring that to the doctor's attention.

I might also ask him about having a fecal transplant. I don't care how disgusting that sounds so long as it brings me relief. I am so tired of this.

I just hope my appt does not get cancelled due to this rotten, stinking snow. I see you live in NY so you know what I am talking about.

Rocket

Rocket, I think c.diff that you can't get rid of is one of the few reasons that qualifies you for a fecal transplant. You can get tested for it by your regular GP. If you are on antibiotics the test will give you a false negative reading so it's not worth taking unless you've been off of antibiotics for 14 days. This was a problem when I had c.diff as I kept having it so rather than waiting until I could take another test they just put me back on antibiotics until I quit having it. I was so glad the last time I tested negative. I take s.boulardii probiotic daily specifically to keep c.diff away. Just in case you want to add something else to your daily routine.

I feel bad you are not feeling better yet. I heard the NY area was getting another foot of snow too! We just got a few inches. Just enough to make everything look pretty and clean

I take DSL # 3. But you're right. If you are taking antibioctics or Probiotic it will give you a false reading.

I was tested for bacteria overgrowth in 2011 but that doctor or the directions said nothing about not taking Probioctic or the antibioctics so my results came out negative.

This time, I did not take any of that stuff for 14 days and the results were positive.

Now today, compared to yesterday, I am not having the same problems with diarreha.

Yesterday, for Breakfast I had Cream of Rice (1/3 of a cup with water), one egg and 2 strips of bacon.

For Lunch I had a Burger with some fried onions and roasted peppers on a bun and for Dinner I had Glueten Free Pasta with Meatballs and a little grated cheese.

My diarreha began after breakfast. Today I just had Cream of Rice and an Orange. For Lunch I had some Fish with Green Beans and White Rice.

Maybe I should just stick to a bland diet which to me is gross.

But I wonder if my diet is the culprit in all of this.

Definitely do the C. diff test. I had watery diarrhea with lots of gas and bloating for about a month and have turned around significantly on my first two days of vancomycin and Florastor.

Pluot,

I notice that you are not currently on any Meds acording to your profile. Gosh what is that like?

Many times I have to run to the bathroom just to pass gas and it sounds like an explosion. Some stool comes out but that is it.

Consequently, even though I go to the bathroom, and nothing more will come out even if I try to force it out, I am back in the bathroom within an hour.

In your opinion, do you think a poor diet is the culprit?

Rocket

I take VSL#3DS and added the s.boulardii after my c.diff infections that would not go away. I tested positive for c.diff while taking VSL#3. So I take both probiotics daily. The 2nd is not expensive at all. I refrigerate it after I get it but it's not required. The bottle says it will extend it's life if you refrigerate it. So that is the rest of the story.

I also have the explosive gas but think that is normal. Mine comes after I empty my pouch and sometimes I bend over several times to get more gas out. Isn't having gas normal? If I don't pass it I have pain. I have so many different pains I don't need gas pain too!

I took Flagyl over and over again. If I ever get it again I am going to ask for vancomycin, I don't care how much it costs! Get it over with and don't let it hang around like it did for me.

You eat more and better than I do Rocket. I am not out and about like you are so can't eat as many calories. If I eat meat it's baked chicken, hamburger, white fish or cold cuts at dinner time. I also like pasta including filled pastas with white or red sauces. I can't eat anything heavy like steak anymore. It is not appealing. I usually eat a fruit/veggie PlantFusion protein smoothie daily and several Greek yogurts. I eat too many rice krispie treats and gram crackers. I don't know why I have this thing for graham crackers since the surgeries but I do. I like to eat something every time I take medication so instead of saltines I started eating graham crackers. I eat other foods but not that big of variety. No fresh veggies, greasy, or really spicy foods. I also don't eat heavy meats like steak any more. It just feels like a rock once it gets inside me.

I didn't see anything wrong with your diet.

Everyone has gas. I don't mean all j-pouchers, but all people. The difference is that most people can fart without loose stool coming out too. The average person passes flatus 13-21 times a day. Most gas is caused by bacterial action on undigested carbs, so that is why we are always talking about reducing carbs and improving the gut flora.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gas/

Jan