Takedown tomorrow!

thanks for the comments regarding the water. That was really bugging me. I really do not see the j pouch as a viable long term solution if I cannot drink water when needed!

My constipation issues have passed. I am now 100% sure it was the Endone that I was taking for pain. I have my first two surgeries done via keyhole so I was finding the pain associated with the stoma site hard to deal with, hence a lot of pain meds.

I ate a soup at 7:30pm last night. I had a BM at 9:30, another at 11:30, then all hell broke loose this morning. I think I have gotten up 5/6 times. Thats a total of 7 BMs in 14 hours . The last 4/5 have been straight water, not really sure why its coming out of me to be honest.

Very dehydrated, tired and stressed. Props to all of you that have been through this. Much respect.

I'm off to have some brekky, water and hopefully a snooze.

Can anyone think why my body would be going gangbusters all of a sudden?

Thanks for your help so far. As lame as this sounds I don't really know where to turn for help. I called my surgeon last night who pretty much told me to suck it up.

I only did the butt cream for about a month.

Now, the only thing necessary for me, is to fold the toilet paper (about 12 pieces) into a nice smooth pad.

No messing around with bidets, creams, etc. and I am just fine - no butt burn.

I think it's because you stopped the Endone 7 BMs in 14 hours is pretty normal for this early in the healing process. Not fun but this too shall pass!

Depending on what was in the soup that might have set you off as well -- careful with anything like cream, fibrous or gas producing veggies (e.g. broccoli soup), etc. Hot liquid in general will make you digest faster but like the plain water thing you really only need to worry about stuff like that if you have serious diarrhea.

I started on psyllium fiber (Metamucil) right at the beginning, on the advice of my surgeon, and it has worked for me for a long time. It helps keep the consistency reasonable. I also worked on holding back a bit (within reason) to get the hang of it, and perhaps slowly stretch/condition the pouch.

how do you take it Scott? Do you feel bloated after taking it?

I agree with Scott. My surgeon had me on Metamucil 3 times a day with food and on Imodium 4 times a day 3 with food and 1 at bedtime - to begin with, we are all different.

Metamucil to bulk up and Imodium is to slow things down. I took Metamucil caplets, clear you can see the metamucil inside, 5 = 1 dose of the powder you stir into water and they make wafers to eat as well.

(I never felt bloated, but I took the caplets as the stir in stuff makes me gag.)

It sounds like the medication was holding everything back. Your j-pouch is learning it's new job. There will be sleepless nights. Your surgeon wasn't nice when he told you to suck it up but there is nothing else you can do. I've fallen asleep on the toilet before and slept on the floor of the bathroom with a blanket and pillow so please give yourself some time and don't schedule anything to do outside of the home. The stress alone can drive you bonkers.

You can do it, your pouch will learn it's new job after it gets all of this practice.

so after a crazy night i'm constipated again. Feeling bloated and don't feel like eating. I took a dose of Metamucil this morning, must be that.

See how tomorrow goes metamucil free.

Some of these things take a while to adjust to. Whatever you try, you may want to give it a bit more time to see how it's working.

I take the Metamucil powder - a rounded tablespoon with breakfast and dinner. I should probably add a lunchtime dose, but I haven't bothered. Its purpose is to give the stool some substance, without making it hard - indeed it will also help prevent constipation. I found the capsules didn't work well for me (they didn't mix in adequately), but the wafers were fine (my wife and I call them "nasty biscuits"). Good luck!

Sorry, I don't think it's the metamucil either. Please drink water.

Scott, that is a good one "nasty biscuits".

Yep. my previous post was only suggesting what works for me. The Prevacid, Powerade Zero were suggested from the get go by my team of Dr's.. When I had water it actally went straight to my bag within minutes and for some reason the powerade does not go through me as fast. There must be something to the Prevacid too. Guys all I know is that I had my takedown and three days later I felt normal again without one single issue. The prevacid, powerade zero, GI soft diet only and very little sugar has worked for me. I am only 2 weeks post takedown today and I am going to the bathroom about every 4.5 to 5 hours now and can still hold it if needed until I can get to a toilet. Still no butt burn and or leakage at night. I know everone is different but I never thought it would have been this easy. (knocking on wood as I say this).

I'm delighted that things are going so smoothly for you, Mike. Glucose (sugar) is the magic ingredient in oral rehydration solutions used for diarrhea, so that may be helping. OTOH having sugar with all your fluid might increase the risk of pouchitis and could be an issue for folks struggling with excess body weight. It might also cause people to drink less than they should. Things you experience when your pouch is new (e.g. not tolerating plain water) are likely to change over time. The Prevacid may be helping you, but make sure that if your docs consider it a temporary measure they don't fail to discuss that with you (that's a common screw-up with things intended for a few months). Lots of people don't get butt burn (I didn't), and not all of them are on Prevacid.

I was already on a PPI for GERD when I had my take down, like prevacid, and I wish it would have helped. That's why I said to discuss it with your doctor. Maybe since I needed it for another problem it didn't help with the extra bile. I'm glad your recovery is going so well Mike!

I was amazed after take down that I could hold it, even though I felt I needed to go. I never had the urgency I had with UC and have never had a problem getting to a restroom on time. In the beginning I would be in my favorite store, Walgreens, and get the urge and would just stand still and stare at whatever shelf I was looking at. In around 10 seconds the urge would go away. I did all of my shopping there, even purchased new underwear and socks there after my surgeries. It is smaller and I was there picking up medications plus it was closer to the exit than a big box store. Baby steps....

FYI I use NUUN electrolyte replacement tabs versus gatorade or powerade. I order directly from them on-line if anyone is interested. They come in tab form, think alka-seltzer without the fiz, and you use your own water. They are made with an artificial sweetner, I forget which one but it agrees with me. An avid bike rider on here suggested them several years ago. I believe they are running a free fall shipping promotion now. I have no financial interest in the company, I just like their product.

so last night and this morning I've taken endone without the Metamucil. On the past two occasions I took them together so I wasn't sure which was making me constipated.

Turns out it was the Metamucil. Not sure why it had such a dramatic effect.

I feel like I have to go most of the day, sometimes when I do only a small amount comes out. Does this sensation cool down after awhile?

More to the point (and specific to you): what happens if you ignore the sensation for a while?

BTW, there are different schools of thought here about how much water to use with the Metamucil. Some folks have been told to use very little water, but I think plenty of water works just fine, and is a bit safer.

Scott's saying it better but that's what I was saying about just standing, or sitting or whatever you are doing when the urge hits you - just quit moving and be still. Wait and many times the urge will pass in just 10 seconds or so. If it doesn't you still will make it to the bathroom ok.

Right after take down I'd say take metamucil with plenty of water. Down the road you can cut it down some on the water if you want to.

If the pain medication is slowing things down enough by it's self you don't need the metamucil as pain management comes first in my treatment plans always!

I wont take either today and see how I go

I had a decent day yesterday, only went at 7:30, small amount at 12:30 before I went to the shops, 2:40, but then had a bad evening/night. Went at 5:40, 6:50, 8:30 all in a row and just felt like I couldnt get empty. Was bloated and didn't feel like eating dinner. I was only up twice later in the night though so maybe I should stop complaining! I guess the good comes with the bad early on?

This surgery has really reduced my appetite. Did anyone else experience this?

I can ignore the sensation and hold on, I just find it a little uncomfortable at times, especially say when I'm eating etc.

I suggest you take it day to day. It may take a couple months before you start to feel anywhere near mormal again. Go to the ihaveuc.com website. It is moreinformative with curent real life stories that ill help you so yu do not have to post here all the time. Rela and stop trying to borrow trouble or you will get it. Stress is not good.

and yes I typed that really fast without spell check lol

There are some good u-tube videos by a guy named Denis about the whole experience too. He chronicled his experiences from after surgery forward, including butt burn. Somehow through watching his videos I found this site in a search.