It's nearly 3 months since my sub-total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. I'm doing fairly well - some days better than others - but I have a lot of gas much of the time, and the smell is just awful. How can one tell exactly what is causing this? Will it get any better with time, or is this going to be a permanent problem? It's peach season here and I've been eating them peeled a few times a day. Peaches should be okay for me, although I'm wondering if it's too much, too soon. Would appreciate any help.
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The gas sounds normal. The odor not so much so. One of the positive outcomes for me is almost odorless B.M.s and gas. So, I'm interested on why you are experiencing the opposite. Gas helps to move effluent through our revised elimination system. I call it my duct cleaner and I welcome its presence!
The sugar might be the cause of both. Try not eating any fruit & sugary foods for a day & see if that helps. Sugar has been a problem for me.
When I get gas and have stool that smells I know I bacteria overgrowth in the small intestine. Antibiotics clear it up.
Just a little trick...rub peppermint oil on the souls of your feet...it enters the whole system that way and 'perfumes' your stoll minty 
Sharon
Sharon
Thank you all for your help. BarbieG, I'll try cutting down on any fresh fruit and "sweet stuff" and see if this helps. Sharon, not sure where one gets peppermint oil. I'm in Toronto - would I try the local natural food and health store?
Most drug stores/pharmacies have peppermint oil. Stores with baking and candy making supplies often do too.
How are you doing?! I've been wondering about you for months and have not been here at all. It's good to read you, so I take that as a good sign for the most part.
How are you doing?! I've been wondering about you for months and have not been here at all. It's good to read you, so I take that as a good sign for the most part.
How is it going??? Has there been any relief?
Sharon
Sharon
Hi Sharon and Black Diamond - thanks for your replies and ideas. Must admit that I haven't tried the peppermint oil yet - am wondering if peppermint extract would do? I have it in my cupboard for baking! I'm now almost 4 months post-op and am doing pretty well. The bloating has subsided and the gas has subsided somewhat, but hasn't completely gone. I read on this forum about trying Beano and Pepto-Bismol, and have been experimenting with those. I've had success with Pepto-Bismol and have found that even with half of one dose (one pill), it seems to plug me up for a while, and I don't have to worry about urgency or frequency, if out for the evening. I've just taken my first trip since surgery - five days to Ottawa. It was a relaxing trip with my husband and we were on our own, for the most part, although spent two evenings with friends, and things went fine. One thing that I noticed - when we travel, I'm usually not eating as many fruits or vegetables as when I'm at home. This makes things somewhat easier, and in fact, I used to notice the same thing while travelling, even before I had surgery. I'm seeing both my surgeon and gastroenterologist in a few weeks. My surgeon mentioned that she could start me on Lomotil (I think that was the drug she mentioned?) if I was anxious about urgency when out for the whole day, but now am thinking that maybe I can just stick with Pepto-Bismol if it seems to help.
Sounds like you are learning how your pouch functions on your own...and it is a learning experience...you will figure it out as you go...but most of us know that sugars cause gas and removing them and fruits helps...although I do not reccomend avoiding fruits in your diet unless diabetic or allergic...just moderate and cut down...have fun learning the ropes and try keeping a food journal.
Sharon
Sharon