Help!!! with Indiana Pouch

Lil' Poppa · Post by **Lil' Poppa** » 2006-04-24 17:51:22

I had surgery 4 weeks ago - I received an Indiana Pouch. For the first 2 weeks, I was able to have daily bile movements (bm) with no problems. Now, I can't seem to have a bm without the help of a suppository - I try waiting 2 days or so until, I have pains and/or I feel backed up. Within 10 minutes of taking the suppository I have a significant bm. (by the way - I don't have any problems passing gas).

Last Thursday my doctor told me to go high fiber, so I did starting yesterday, but today I had the same problem.

Does anyone have any idea what is going on with my system, will it pass, does anyone have any guidance??!! I'm worried that after almost 2 years, we've fixed my bladder issue, but I now seem to have an intestinal issue. Please help!!!!

Marvin

lesson · Post by **lesson** » 2006-04-24 19:40:21

I don't know if I will be much help. I have a pouch for an ileostomy. Are you drinking alot of fluids? Try drinking some grape juice or a little prune juice daily and see if that helps. Maybe Squid will be by ..she had an Indiana pouch. Can you change the subject of your post to include the words Indiana pouch to get her attention?

Lil' Poppa · Post by **Lil' Poppa** » 2006-04-24 20:27:10

Thanks for your reply - I changed the subject. I started drinking grape juice just yesterday. I also drink other liquids including water and OJ - my wife and I just learned grape juice is good for the bowels. Again, thank you!!

squid56 · Post by **squid56** » 2006-04-25 20:39:42

Here I am Marvin! Yes, I too have trouble and my surgery was 13 years ago. I try to drink lots of fluids which is good for the kidneys and I try to eat lots of fruit and veggies. I am bad about fiber foods like cereals and whole wheat things- I think they are YUKKY! Just remember that your surgery was only a month ago. It really does take lots of time for things to settle down. Your GI tract is readjusting to all the changes. Grape juice is good, and even though you have started to add fiber, it takes time- it does not happen overnight. I need to take senna on a regular basis to go, but that is on my doctor's orders. Just keep your doctor apprised of what is happening. It may be wise to keep a food diary and chart of how often you are going and what you take or do to make yourself go. If it takes of itself then you have no worries. If not, at least you have something written down so your doctor will know what to do. Otherwise how are you doing with your pouch? Judith

Lil' Poppa · Post by **Lil' Poppa** » 2006-05-02 14:09:03

Hi Judith - thanks for your reply. I have to admit, I was scared; however, things begin to get better within a few days - as you can imagine, I could have done back flips. I think I am doing well with my pouch - I started on a 2 hour empty schedule and am currently on a 3 hour schedule until I see my doctor at the end of May. How often do you empty? Waking up in the middle of the night is not what I choose for entertainment, but hey, it's better than being strapped to a catheter and leg or night bag - I did that almost for 18 months. I feel free.

Yesterday, I had my first leak - I drank quite a bit of diet coke (my [former?!] drink of choice] for the first time since before surgery. I think that increases my urine output. Anyway, I went to a movie, which put me at 3.5 hours since my last empty. I was driving away from the theater, thinking I had some time to get to the store before I emptied. I leaked pretty heavily (and again later that night while I was sleeping). I seem to be back on schedule. I'd been using sections of panty liners to protect me; however, after this "real" leak, I ordered some stoma covers from ampatch. I plan to start work again next week and can't walk around with a wet, stinky shirt

Any advice you've learned over your 13 years will be greatly appreciated. Again, thanks.

Marvin

squid56 · Post by **squid56** » 2006-05-03 19:34:06

Sounds like you are doing amazing well- Good for you!I usually cath myself about 4-6 times a day. It depends on how much fluid I have drunk or if I had to take a diuretic for another health issue I have. I sleep through the night

I too occaisionally leak, though I did leak lots more in the the first year until things settled down and my body adjusted. When I have an infection I do tend to leak more. I use gauze and tape to cover my stoma or the AM patches. It is distressing to say the least when you have a leak! I keep extra stoma covers with me at work and I tend to wear shirts that go over my pants- I do not tuck in my shirts. What sort of work do you do?

Imustpee · Post by **Imustpee** » 2006-05-05 22:25:28

Hi Judith!!!! Thanks for this site link...
L.P...I am 4 1/2 months post op.....I was able to sleep over 6 hours before getting up to cath twice this week alone...I go 3 - 4 hours during the day and 4 - 5 at night..Somedays I seem to leak a little more and I too use mini pads stuck to my undies...it sure beats gauze and tape and all that...if I don't cath in time I will " Backup"...What a mess that is...I didn't know I could run to the bathroom that fast anymore..hahaha..the B.M's will become more regular and firm...it seems like I had the runs for months...hahhaha