Fluids, fluids, fluids, salt, salt, salt...no joke and no secret...the shorter the gut, the faster the transit and the more you need to pump fluids to be able to absorb sufficiently...I tend to make a homemade lemonaide with fresh mint leaves...I just squeeze 3-4 lemons,throw the skins in too, add enough fake sugar for it not to be bitter (you can use real sugar if you like) and a handful of crushed mint leaves (fennel root works well too for a non sugary flavour)...I keep a jug in the fridge at all times and drink some throughout the day...keeps the elctrolytes up too and you can mix up flavours like lemons/limes/oranges etc...beware of the grapefruits because they interact with meds...the more concentrated the urine the more you need to be drinking...don't forget that we also loose hydration through our skin (sweat), our mouths during respiration etc...so you really have to keep it up constantly...start and finish your days with 2 large glasses of fluids and then drink a glass ever hour or two.
Sharon

I can't agree more with Sharon. Drink, drink, drink. Believe me when I say that you lose A LOT of fluid through your loop ileo, and chronic dehydration can lead to kidney problems including poor kidney function and kidney stones, as well as bladder and/or kidney infections. Sharon makes some great suggestions. I would add, based on your symptoms and what my dietician told me, that with the loop, you need to be drinking at least 1 glass of water per hour, ON TOP of what you would normally drink. This would include other sources of fluid, such as soup or the juices you naturally get from eating fruits and veggies. Ideally, your urine should be pale yellow to clear. If it is very dark yellow, thick, or wine coloured, you are definitely not getting enough fluid. Keep drinking until the colour and consistency of your urine improves. However, if you you continue to pass "sludge" you may need to go to the hospital for IV hydration.

its already getting clearer. thank you so much. did anyone ever cure uc by drinking more or am i just torturing myself? also, does clariton affect us with ileos or j-pouches. florida is kicking my butt with allergies? i need my new york back also, if you read some peoples recipe for success with our issues they say never drink without eating or it will go right through you. i cant possible eat every hour. i think they are wrong and misleading. they say never drink at night or youll be emptying your bag all night. i bought into it. dang it...

chasingtime,

You are probably reading too much into things! I've had my pouch for 4.5 years. I have no problems whatsoever drinking without eating something, and it doesn't go right through me. The key is to listen to your body, which you are already doing, it seems, since you are drinking more and your urine is improving. Keep taking cues from your body and self adjust as needed. Obviously if you are peeing too much, cut back on your fluids, if you aren't peeing enough or it is dark, drink more. Also, your fluid needs may vary day to day so do pay attention to your thirst levels and urine output. But overall, take a deep breath and keep doing what you are doing! You are doing fine.

As for Clariton, plenty of pouchers use allergy medication without having it affect pouch function. Your biggest concern, since you are having frequent BMs, is that you may not fully absorb the meds. In that case, you should take the Clariton with food, as you have a better chance of getting the most benefit from it.

Alcohol and coffee will go right through me if I don't have food in my system, so I always try to bulk with fiber/immodium as well as eat something starchy/sticky if I drink coffee or alcohol, but I have never had any other issues with drinking lots of other fluids, and Ieven have a damaged sphincter.

I was always told that if I feel thirsty, I am not drinking enough.

you guys are GREAT!!!

Actually, from what I have read (and personal experience), the opposite is true. You should NOT drink when eating because that tends to move your food through too fast. Then you don't absorb enough nutrients.

I think the key is not to drink large quantities at a time, but sip all day long. Avoid sugared drinks, and caffeine if you are sensitive to it.

And bottom line, don't listen to THEM or even US, if the advice does not work for you. That is why you will keep hearing over and over, this is largely trial and error. What works for one does not work for all. Even what worked for you a week ago, may not work this week. You have to be willing to change and adapt.

Having dilute urine is the major way to tell what your hydration level is. Way more sensitive than thirst. Some people do not get thirsty soon enough.

Jan

If you're not taking it already, you could try immodium. Supposedly one of its affects is improving fluid uptake.

You always drink and eat at least 30 minutes in between eachother not together. I had a gastrectomy so I learned all about eating and drinking together. I am usually too full to drink up to 2 hours after I eat. Always a daily battle.

I hear ya on New York though! My pouch does it's best up there. I have pouch issues that I think are allergy related since when I am out of town I do 100% better. I come back to Texas and have to go on antibiotics again and have crazy stoma output. In Florid recently I didn't even have to cover my stoma, little mucus.