You are still so early into your recovery that things will most likely change for you on a daily basis. I remember after takedown I constantly felt the need to go to the bathroom usually with very little coming out and a sore bottom. Myself and others on this site have had to get in different positions at times to empty the pouch. Sometimes I lean way back on the toilet and kind of push out , not very hard because don't want to irritate your tush or cause any more issues but just try different positions while on the toilet. It may not be constipation but that strange feeling that you always have to poop. It does get better in time. Hope this helps.

Thanks, Holly! This was quite helpful. I'll do a bit of gymnastics next time I am on the toilet. That just might do the trick! I hope it gets resolved on its own soon!!

You're eating very thickening foods. Maybe ease up on them a wee bit, and try slowly introducing other things that aren't so starchy. Some cooked soft veggies, like carrots or something like that might help, or balance out your meal with the rice, the cooked veggie, and a small piece of bland meat. You'll have to test your own body and introduce things. Eventually I was able to pretty much eat anything I wanted, just go slow, but I'd say ease up on all of that thickening food slowly to see if that helps.

Oh and drink a lot of water! Foods that normally got me going we're things like salads and stuff like that, but you may not feel ready for that yet. My go-to in recent years has been draught beer (lol) when I need to blow stuff out of there, though it's been less helpful lately. But I needed draught only; cans and bottles don't work as well.

The pouch only holds about a pint max in the beginning, but it generally gets better, and is able to hold more and more over time. I remember going 14-20X a day at first, which gave me a sore tush (and many trials with every butt paste known to man!), but it improved over the first year. Now I range about 3-6X a day... though I've had some issues lately that have messed me up a bit.

I also have to strike a pose on the loo to get something out from time to time.

Thanks, Rachel! I am now eating a little more variety of foods so I am hoping it gets better. I am not even two weeks from takedown but I am only going 7-8times in a day and buttburn has not been an issue so far. It's just tat I am not pooping much when I go each time and when I am done I still feel I have to go again. It reminds me of te feeling of incontinence during the UC days! I am hoping that this just a part of the adjustment and soon it will be resolved!

I am yet to discover my strike pose, bt I am exploring

Oh I remember the first few weeks after getting my JPouch! Went through the same thing as you. Actually took a good 6 months to a year before I was fully adjusted. It's such a shock to your system that it takes awhile to become normal/regular.

And I second the pooping positions. I'm a gold medalist on the throne.

I cannot take Immodium as it constipated me and sucked all the moisture out of my body. Metameucil made me sick, so that was out too. I agree on drinking lots of water. Also, for me, the constant going and/or urge was definitely part of the adjustment. As my body adjusted, I lost the non stop urge and was able to hold it when I did feel the need to go. This will all pass and in no time you'll be giving the advice.