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I had my ileostomy reversed and J pouch hooked up 2 weeks ago. My stool is still very liquidy, adding to feelings of urgency and many bathroom trips (15-20 per day.) My surgeon has suggested: immodium, pepto bismol, probiotics, and now he is trying me on colestipol (a cholesterol medication that is also used as stool thickener after surgeries.)

I can't see anything has made a difference. In my 35 years with UC, I took metamucil and probiotics and they helped. During my 7 months with the ileo , I took Immodium, but never thought it made much of a difference (not as much difference as eating a small container of applesauce, for instance!) i have no prior experience with p. bismol. It's turning my stools dark, but that's about all, as far as I can tell.

Any other ideas on what I should be trying? Also, I used to find Gas-X helpful; do J pouchers find it helpful?

Also - I am just now branching off a very conservative, low-residue diet; potatoes, rice, pasta, chicken, fish, eggs...

Thanks!

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I’m seeing a lot of posts from new J-pouchers who have been discouraged from taking anything (psyllium, Imodium, etc.) by their surgeons. My surgeon suggested both for me immediately. I’m guessing that they want folks to find their unmedicated baselines before embarking on treatments that might be an unnecessary nuisance. Unfortunately like a lot of medical advice it can persist long past when it was intended to “expire” or be readjusted. At a minimum it’s worth making sure you understand 1) why your surgeon might be advising against psyllium (or whatever), and 2) under what circumstances the surgeon might change that advice (passage of time, unacceptable stool texture, whatever). Since you might not see the surgeon for a long time you need some information about future contingencies.

Personally, I prefer liquidy BMs because I feel empty sooner rather than later.  Fortunately, I have excellent control and rarely have any leakage or seepage.  When I want to thicken things up I use Metamucil or regular oatmeal.  I've had my J-pouch for 16 years.  I think that learning about what is normal for you over time will help.  We are experiencing "new normals".  Best wishes!

Thanks for your helpful comments!  I may start Metamucil today (tiny dose a first, to acclimate.) Marsh Chap, I agree - the original course was what I liked for my 35 years of UC.

Scott, my surgeon gave me the ok to try Metamucil this past week, but I think you're right - he wanted me to add things slowly, maybe to see what my body will do on its own.

C.CEEEE - Thanks for the perspective on looseness.  I just want enough firmness that I can hold it to get to the bathroom when I mistakenly think it's gas I can let out and then find out otherwise....!

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