over a month with j pouch

[Jeffrey5]

I am not a stranger to this board but I am kinda new to dealling with my J pouch.

Can I take to much imodium, and if so how much is to much? I am already taking more then the box says, I take about four at a time and I might take that two, three or more times a day.

I have been having very bad cramps and I know it would make since that it might be from the imodium. I don't feel I have any other choice because even with all the imodium and a very carful diet I am still going 12 to 18 times a day.

Their is no blood or direct pain so I don't think it is pouchitis. the way pouchitis was discribed to me is that the pain is like the pain of uc and the pain is very differant.
plus I hope it is not pouchitis already.


any advise or help or general info

Thank you
Jeffrey5

[lesson]

Hi Jeffrey
I am a Kock pouch person and never have had a Jpouch. It is possible that the Imodium is causing the cramps. If you are taking more than recommended to get the results you are looking for than I would suggest talking to your doctor. There may be other meds or dietary supplements that you can experiment with.

Also, check out www.jpouch.org if you haven't.

[mjyokell]

I have a bcir and when I get pouchitis it is very crampy and sometime I get a little fever. I usually take CIPRO or the generic for 5 or 6 days until it's gone. It might be worth a try to get rid of the discomfort.

Mark

[Lynne]

Jeffrey,

I just sent you an email.

Lynne
CDN Chair

[Paully's5.0]

Jeff-

Your cramps are definitely from the Immodium. When I take it, I tend to get really gassy, and that is the cause of the cramps for me. Try taking the Immodium Advanced, it helps cut down the gas, try some gas-x too. Take as much as you need in a day, it shouldn't hurt you. I just would advise against taking 3+ at any one time!!!

A month out, 12 - 18 times a day isn't surprising. Just keep giving it time, and keep HOLDING it! As long as you feel you have CONTROL, things are going well. For me, when my "urge" suddenly increases thats when I know pouchitis is starting to act up.

Something that I do, when I have to pee....I just drop a duce at the sam time, the beauty of the jpouch is that you can empty it anytime you want with a good "push", kill two birds with one stone

Keep your chin up!

[jpoucher]

Hi Jeffery,

I am fairly new to the Jpouch scene as well. I had my surgery in May and things are starting to settle down now. I still go quiet often during the day but the night time is getting better and usually I am up only once through the night.

I find that if I eat three meal a day rather than 6 small meals a day my trips to the bathroom are less. As well, you will start to learn which foods make you go more. For me it is dairy products, fresh fruits and sugar.

I eat A LOT of foods high in carbs and starch (potatoes, rice, pasta) and they seem too help with thickening up things and reducing the urge to go.

My surgeon also told me to take metamucil to thicken things up, you could try that. I have heard some people take one or two metamucil waffers once a day at night.

As Paully's5.0 said, holding it for as long as you can will help the pouch stretch and increase the amount it can hold.

Here is a link that might help you a bit:
http://ibdcrohns.about.com/od/ulcerativ ... chdiet.htm

[SugaAngel4u]

if immodium isn't working for you, try lomotil. its stronger and you can take up to 8 a day. i take 4 a day, sometimes 5 and typically dont have any problems. immodium just doesn't work for some ppl