Having a really bad toilet issue night

RickMurtagh said:

Diet and more
I have found the best way to manage sever chronic diarrhea is diet. That works, for me in my case, one out of seven days. I supplement diet with Immodium, Lomotil, Metamucil and Tincture of Opium on the other days. With those as well as a restrictive diet aimed at managing loose stools (if you have no colon at all it is not really diarrhea since the output of the small intestine is largely liquid to begin with) I find I am okay for five or six days a week. The other day or two is passed somewhat in misery. But I can function. However, if you have a colonic pouch (I believe you had a resection, no?) then you should have a good chance of a successful outcome.

My reversal was April 20, 2010. I find just now I am beginning to make some measurable progress. I was progressing fine the first two months, then bam, it all went to sh*t. I am still unemployed so I have plenty of time for the effort of maintaining diet and medication to effect a positive outcome. I find that if I stray from watching my diet or then application of medicine when needed it can take a day or two to get things back on track.

You might want to talk to your doctor about the possibility of having pouchitis if you have not already. Pouchitis can normally be alleviated by a round of antibiotics, but for some even that does no good. I will wait patiently for two years and if by that time I have not come to a reasonable (reasonable by my own estimation) quality of life, I shall seek a permanent ileostomy. I had such a struggle with my ileostomy for the first seven months that I have a major aversion to going back to it. However, since the last two months of having an ileo had proceeded satisfactorily, I believe I could live quite a normal life if I was required to have one permanently, if ever one could consider pooping out your abdomen normal.

Another thought is that your pouch might require some stretching to allow it to contain more poo before causing undue urgency. I myself have not gotten much beyond the cheese doodle stage and hope for a better outcome (should be outgo, no?) soon.

There is the possibility that there has been significant enough damage so as to render the anus incapable of managing anything close to normal bowel movements regardless of what you do. I believe the only way to find out if that is the case is to have a frank discussion with your doctor about it.

I wish you all the best in finding something that works. My biggest encouragement to you would to be patient. It takes a great deal of patience to find out what works for you and even more difficult to find what does not. If I even look at a tomato I crap my pants (I love tomatoes). Also, remember just because something works once does not mean it will work the next time and if you eat small meals throughout the day you might find yourself going more controllably throughout the day as you will probably have less gas and less urgency throughout the day.

Rick

PS - I have found that though Percoset does nothing for me as far as pain is concerned it does shut down any urgencies I have for three or four hours and make air travel possible for me. The only alternative I have found that works for me is to stop eating one and a half days before a trip, but at makes me really cranky and my wife prefers me drugged.

I've been wondering how your bowel issues have been doing
I remember you posting before trying the tincture of opium and was wondering whether it was doing the job or not. Sounds like you are getting SOME relief at least, and starting to get a handle on management. I find that the use of narcotic pain pills do a job on slowing the intestinal track down as well, but hyoscyamine, or Levsin, does a better job and for a longer period of time, have you tried it? I'm really glad to hear you are getting some relief.
mary