Very very hard stool.

When things got rough for me, it was because of narrowing. I was tending towards thicker stool at that time, mostly because a little of the looser would pass, then the "thick" stuff got left behind,and wouldn't come out, and that was making things too hard to pass. Drinking a glass of grape juice a day helped. I'm sure you've probably tried that, though.

I have found that Cipro makes things way too thick for me, when I've taken it for pouchitis symptoms (which isn't too common for me; been more random). I was taking OTC Prevacid for GERD symptoms, and since quitting that, things are back to porridgey for me, again. Prevacid has a side effect of constipation. Are you on any meds right now that could be contributing to making things harder? Just curious, because most of my issues were related to med side effects when I had them.

I can see how this is extremely frustrating because I have had this happen several times. Yes, I would much rather it be NOT solid and free flowing. If I ever took an Imodium like most j pouchers do I think I would explode.

It really isn't normal for you to have hard stool all the time with a j pouch. You have to make your doctor listen to you so it can get checked out. It also puzzling that you said you have chronic pouchitis. Usually that would mean very loose stools all the time. Have you tried eating some prunes or prune juice? That works for me every time. Hope you can get some relief.

Well they said my pain symptoms sounds like chronic pouchitis, they scoped and saw nothing. I'm talking cipro and metronidazole daily at 500mg each. If I miss a day or 2 the nightmare of pain and constant pressure and urgency begins. I can't get off them, I've tried many times can't get past 3 days with no meds. Lots of people with chronic pouchitis seem to have watery stools, are they wrong? I see Doctor Cohen in Toronto they say he's the best. I'm gonna try the prune juice. Well I'm off to Cuba next week sure that will take care of the problem for a little while. (looking forward to traveler's diarrhea!...sick

Antibiotics certainly can be constipating. Even if you don't have chronic pouchitis, it could be you suffer from chronic bacterial overgrowth (same symptoms as pouchitis, but no pouch inflammation). By chance, have you been tested for C. difficile?

Anyway, fruit juices could help. If they are not effective, try Miralax, as it is safe for regular use. You probably know that straining is not good, and can lead to structural damage.

Jan

I mentioned C. difficile, but again he just shock his head " no we would have seen it". Maybe I should get a second opinion. Maybe I'll look in to Hamilton Doc's at McMaster.

It wouldn't hurt to send for C Diff, it's just a lab test. I never understand when doctors just don't even want to send a lab test like that... I mean, if it's negative, then great, but if it's positive, then there's your issue.

Milk of Magnesia works well for constipation without the cramping associated with laxatives. I've only had brief and extremely rare instances where I needed to use something, and MoM was the only thing that worked without making me miserable.

Thanks for all the help guys, just back today from family Doctor. Blood work came back tested positive for Lupus. Oh well.