When will I stop pooping

Hi Julia. My name is Fran (Frantic). I just read your story. WOW. You will find this network very supportive. I still have an illesotomy and have not been re-connected. But to answer your question there is another site which might be of help. It is called Shaz's Ostomy support. There are many on there who have other medical issues and you can also post on that site. They are most helpful also. High Fiber diet might help. What about staying away from dairy products??

KathiM said:

I had my resection (removal of rectum and sig colon...12 inches gone) May of 05. I was just starting to get control of my stool, when my second cancer came on board...3 months...chemo again. You are right, chemo REALLY messes it up! Try upping your water. I can tell when I don't drink enough....cramps....I drink about 2 quarts (64 oz) a day.
Here it is, 1 year later...and I have almost complete control over my bowel. That said, I have changed to eating 4-6 smaller meals a day, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegies...low red meat, and very little fried stuff...you WILL see an improvement soon....5-6 months is pretty normal...I couldn't use meds for either constipation or runs...my bowel was just too sensitive...sigh...so it was the natural route for me. Salsa can still send me to the toilet. You will find the foods that work, just like a new baby with starting solid foods....
Hang in there, dearheart!

Hugs, Kathi

Never, I hope...everynight I thank God for all my orfices ..a little Senna Vegetable laxitive from Wal Mart helps to smooth things out when the poop starts lookinglike little cannonballs, and fiber is good..and WATER WATER WATER 64 + OZ A DAY. Wally World sells good water too.. bud

Hi Julia, I first found this site the first week of August/06. I have gotten more information from all of the wonderful people on here than from my doctors. For as much as the docs know--people who have gone through it are much more helpful. I was diagnosed in 09/04, had chemo and radiation, surgery in 01/05 followed by more chemo from 03/05 thru 07/05. By the time I found this site, I was at my wit's end. I was still going alot and the urgency was unbearable. I was afraid to leave my house. I was taking lomotil alot everyday. I ran out of my prescription and it was a few days until I could get out to get it but I had some imodium in the house so I figured I was O.K. Well I felt a different off the lomotil. Not as many bowel movements and definitly less urgency. I am completely amazed that stopping the medication has made me feel better. My Mother used to say I was bass-ackwards and I think I am! I am just happy that I stumbled upon this or I would have continued on the lomotil. There are some days now where I don't have a bowel movement at all and I still have some bad days but the imodium helps then. I really don't have a problem with cramping. And as far as the high fiber, it is a fine line between just right and too much. My doctors said to play around with the dosage and I am doing that currently. It's true what some of the others said that you have to find what works for you--it's like trial and error. I just wanted to pass this along in case you are taking lomotil--try stopping it for a few days. You are still really early in your recovery and time does help, but I know how you feel. You want to be happy that the beast is gone, but nobody wants to revolve their life around going to the bathroom! All I can tell you is keep your chin up and keep trying different tips that everyone gives you. You might want to keep a log of what you eat and how much you go to see if different foods affect you differently. Good luck. It will get better! Mary