New Pouch Adjustment Question

I remember in the beginning it being quite dependent on what I ate as to how often I could go. But from the get-go, the one thing different with it vs. with UC was that I could defer going. I didn't have that OMG I have to run! feeling all the time. Now I can defer two hours, sometimes even more (at work, I'm a critical care nurse, and sometimes I have no choice but to wait).

I remember going home and going b/w 10-14 times a day, but over the first month, it probably went down to 6-8... and I lost the need to go in the night within the first year, but if I ate late, like after 9pm, I would be guaranteed one trip to the bathroom at night, for a long time (one continent trip). I haven't had an accident at night in YEARS, can't even remember the last time (I'm 22 years in), but I do know that at first, I would sometimes have some seepage... not full on accidents, but enough to make me wear a pad. It would wake me before things got bad. Now, foods I ate back then that would have increased my output rarely do... my bowels do a much better job at extracting fluid, things are about the consistency of porridge to oatmeal... it definitely got better over time. I go roundabout 3-5 times a day, lately more like 2-4. I've never needed Metamucil or antidiarrheals. I tried them in the beginning, and they made me much worse and made it actually difficult to go, so I quit them. I'm not on anything at the moment. I've gone YEARS without anything. Only recently did I take some meds for a low-level pouchitis.

So my answer to your question is that there probably won't be a really distinct pattern for awhile, but slowly, you should be seeing patterns begin to emerge, especially over the first year. But honestly, I still see things change, from time to time, even this far in.

The main thing to know during adaptation (and even long after for some), is that you need to get used to some unpredictability. I would not worry about periods of relative quiet in your gut, unless they last the whole day or you develop pain or abdominal distention. Sometimes you just absorb more or are eating something that slows the gut more than others. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to it.

The main constant is that if you feel good, you probably are good, so hang on that, because it is pretty much all you can count on.

After three months or so, you will get more into a pattern, more or less.

Jan

Rachel, thanks for you response. That is just what I was looking for. I have the same kind of seepage you mentioned. Does it just go away or is there something you did to control that?

As far as being able to hold it, that is definitely better than with UC but still can not hold it that long although I think part of my problem is gas and not being able to pass gas without going to the bathroom. Is that normal for the first while, and how long before you can break that routine?

Jan, thanks for your supportive comments, I have read many of your posts and you are great.

Thanks again,

mike

I think you are doing great for being a week out, even a couple of months out. I was taking more Imodium and metamucil. Keep asking when you have questions.

Hi Playin Hooky.
Sorry I don,t know your proper name.
Wiht your pouch it may take a while to settle down and you will find out after a while what foods your pouch likes and I have found that after haveing a pouch for 30+years that no two pouches are the same,From what you say I think you are not going too bad so far.
I have a food list on my fridge of foods which my pouch does not like and I try and stick to it and it seems to work.
I have found one of the best things to do is to keep your self occupied to take your mind off your pouch and I have found it works for me.
As regards passing gas I can if Lying down and I think that if I could stand on my head it would be even easier,only people with pouches would understand this.
If you keep a bit a of a food diary at this point in time Ithink you will be ok.
Best Regards from Australia.
John.

I Kegel'd like a champeen in the beginning. Sphincters of Steel.

Oh, and after surgery, I have never farted when standing up, ever again. I can only pass gas lying down, sitting down, or on the toilet.

17 years later and I will only pass gas on the toilet. Not because I cannot do it standing up, laying down or whatever, but because I do not want to be buying new underwear all the time ....

Jan