Not sure what's going on

shk2jMember

Hi Everyone:

I apologize in advance for the graphicness of this post. :-)

So--two years ago, I had adhesion removal surgery followed by a sphincterotomy (after 4 attempts to dilate). Back when I had the sphincterotomy---I was having to strain to the use the bathroom and it was painful, like glass shards. Ive been doing really well since until about a month ago.

Recently (for about a month), I have been constipated to the point that I push---nothing comes---but then all of a sudden, it will explode out and I will feel like I am empty. (Sorry, TMI!). Other times, it will feel a dire need to go to the bathroom---will try to--it won't come--and then finally after sitting on the toilet for a long time--some comes, but I'm not empty. It is not painful or have that glass shard feeling. But it definitely feels off and it's always a bad sign when one has to "push."

Does this sound like anything? A sphincter issue? Bowel adhesion? Pouchitis? I've had my J pouch since 1998.

Thanks a ton in advance for your advice!

SHK2j

11/5/146:41 PM

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Scott FMember

I think we actually need a bit *more* information. What the consistency of what's coming out (liquid/soft/formed)? Are you taking anything that might change stool consistency or bowel motility? Have you been examined in the last two years?

11/5/146:48 PM

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Jan DollarModerator, RN, retired

I have an older pouch too, but did not have the sphincerotomy. Still, I have episodes of feeling backed up, urgency without being able to relax the sphincters or maybe things getting hung up on a kink somewhere in there, etc. If it goes on long enough, I wind up with gas cramps and urgency with leakage. I treat it assuming it is bacterial overgrowth and take Flagyl for 7-10 days. This takes care of it. But the older I get (and my pouch), the more sluggish things seem, even though my stools are loose. So, I am not constipated. My scopes are generally good, I am due for one in the next couple of months, so we will see.

I do think I have some adhesions, but not enough to send me packing to the ER (had enough of that, thank you!).

How long since you saw your doc? Maybe time for a checkup or at least a phone call?

Jan

11/5/146:54 PM

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shk2jMember

:-)

It fluctuates between soft loose and liquid. I rarely ever have formed stool.

I am not taking any new meds, however, for about two years, I limited my gluten intake (no allergy, just wanted to try it) and recently added it back as a regular part of my diet two months ago.

I was examined about a year ago and my surgeon said my rectum looked the best it ever has since '98. All of it was removed during the original surgery. However, he has said in the past that I am adhesion prone.

Thanks for your help!
Sana

11/5/146:57 PM

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Jan DollarModerator, RN, retired

I would not be surprised if you do have a gluten intolerance, or at least a sensitivity. Maybe dial it back again and see if things improve. I know that for me, less grain and sugar carbs in general, the better. I notice a difference with more bread or candy, even though my mouth loves them!

Jan

11/5/148:28 PM

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Scott FMember

I'd echo Jan's suggested experiment. You changed your diet in a significant (and easy to reproduce!) way, and then your bowel function deteriorated a few weeks later. That doesn't prove gluten is the culprit, but it sure makes it a "substance of interest." I hope it turns out to be a relatively simple fix like that.

11/5/149:30 PM

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