UOAA Discussion Board

So, I'm trying really hard to figure out what works for me in terms of keeping the output the right consistancy. How thick is to thick?? I currently take 1 immodium before bed and I'm still up at least 3-5 times a night. Then the first half of the mornings I feel like I live in the bathroom. I'm terrified of taking to much immodium and ending up with constipation, which my doctors tell me is the number 1 thing I DO NOT want to have happen. And what about the metamucil wafers? Do they really thicken things up? I know it's different for everyone but I'm just trying to get some ideas.

I don't post on this forum much, usually on YODDA, but as some of you know I have been having the terrible pain in the tailbone/rectal area. I have to take Lortabs everyday and sometimes dilauded. So I'm also concerned about using to much bulking agents when I'm taking so much narcotics - althoug they don't seem to bind me up.

Sometimes I have urgency, not terrible, but a little bit. And then sometimes I feel like I'm pushing so hard and feeling like there is something in the pouch, but cannot get anything out. Could these be signs of Pouchitis? I did have a scope with my surgeon a couple weeks ago and she thought it was maybe muscle spasms...but the meds she gave me for those don't help at all. I'm just wondering if a course of Flagyll or Cipro would clear all this up.

Thanks for any advice in advance!!

~Beth~

Beth -

It could be some pouchitis, usually if I start to have symptoms of "urgencey" that means my pouch isn't happy and a few days of flagyl is all that is needed (things tend to get really watery as well).

I think Brian had similar problems and a prescription of flagyl/cipro helped tremendously. I'd ask your doc if you could just try it.

As for the "how thick" question, when I'm doing really good its like a thick milkshake, normally it's like a milk shake that's been sitting out for a while...... and when I'm not doing good it's like a I'm pouring a pitcher of water into the toilet.

I don't do the Metamucil thing so I can't comment, and when I take Imodium I don't think it really makes it "thicker"....it just calms the urgency. I only take it if I know I'll be away from a bathroom for more then 5+ hours.

Thanks Paul! I have a call into the surgeon to see if I can just try Flagyl. Her nurse said she will want a MRI done soon too. So we'll see I guess....always takes them so long to call back!

Keebz,

I take 2 Metamucils in the AM when I wake up and depending on the consistency I might take 1-2 more during the day. Most of the time though I just stick to 2 a day. I noticed that if it's thick enough then it is easier to empty the pouch and I go less- it's just finding the right consistency that takes time. I occasionally use Immodium and I take 1/2 a pill at a time- especially if I know I'm going out and might be consuming foods/drinks that would make me watery. I still get up about once a night and have not figured out a way to sleep through the night consistently, especially without the fear of a leak.

I've heard that the Metamucil wafers help bind better than the capsules, but I haven't tried them.