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!