J-pouch and possible radiation damage to my BM issues

A recommendation that was made to me...
I didn't have the same surgery as you - I had 2 parts of my colon resected (no bag) but found that I had intestinal issues for well over a year post-op.

An Integrative Med MD recommended that I use a product "GI Revive" daily for 30 days to help my intestinal mucosa to regenerate and heal. In addition, he recommended that I take 40 billion cells probiotic daily (combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidum).

It helped; my surgeon is surprised that my gut functions so well now (better than before surgery).

Something to consider...

Good luck with all of this.

I'll pit my bowel against anyone's...even non-cancer survivors!
I had my rectum and sigmoid colon removed, and a pouch made from descending colon.

I won't be coy, it wasn't easy at the beginning...

The colon is used to process water out of the waste, removing it, and sending the solid on it's way. The sig colon is the propulsion unit. The rectum is the storage, until it fills, and sends a message to the sigmoid colon, sphincter and the anus to open and 'let it all hang out'. At least that is the way it was explained to me, 5 years ago. So, removing my propulsion unit, and making a process organ into a storage organ is no small feat.

The first 2 years were trial and error, getting to know the foods I could and could not tollerate, sort of like a baby...I needed to try things one at a time. I found I had become lactose intollerant, and a large part of my trouble eased when I stopped eating dairy.

I stayed VERY hydrated (still try to) so that my stool stays on the soft side of 'play dough'. I don't use drugs to control the flow, unless I get diarrhea constant for more than 8 hours. I DO have a few 'everyone into the pool' parties on occasion, but it usually follows eating some 'sin' food.

Things improved, but slowly. I eat healthier now than before cancer, but nothing major...the 4 food groups...well, 5---chocolate IS a group, right??????

I have been able to maintain a weight that is, according to the BMI tables, 'the perfect number' for my height. I truly believe this is easier because of the decrease in dairy, and also I eat beef only 2 or 3 times a month (it's hard to digest). I eat bright colored fruits and vegies. Fresh, when at all possible.

I just celebrated 5 years since diagnosis in December. Since my J-pouch, May was 5 years. I have very few troubles, and can OCCASIONALLY eat ice cream, or cheese, as long as it is not too much in one day. As my subject line says, I have better toilet performance that many of my non-cancer friends (they all seem to have varying degrees of IBS...).

My advice is 'a tincture of time'. And learn what foods you need to stop eating, at least for awhile. If things get to out of control, the BRAT diet always works for me (Banannas, Rice, Applesauce, and Tea).

Hugs, Kathi

KathiM said:

I'll pit my bowel against anyone's...even non-cancer survivors!
I had my rectum and sigmoid colon removed, and a pouch made from descending colon.

I won't be coy, it wasn't easy at the beginning...

The colon is used to process water out of the waste, removing it, and sending the solid on it's way. The sig colon is the propulsion unit. The rectum is the storage, until it fills, and sends a message to the sigmoid colon, sphincter and the anus to open and 'let it all hang out'. At least that is the way it was explained to me, 5 years ago. So, removing my propulsion unit, and making a process organ into a storage organ is no small feat.

The first 2 years were trial and error, getting to know the foods I could and could not tollerate, sort of like a baby...I needed to try things one at a time. I found I had become lactose intollerant, and a large part of my trouble eased when I stopped eating dairy.

I stayed VERY hydrated (still try to) so that my stool stays on the soft side of 'play dough'. I don't use drugs to control the flow, unless I get diarrhea constant for more than 8 hours. I DO have a few 'everyone into the pool' parties on occasion, but it usually follows eating some 'sin' food.

Things improved, but slowly. I eat healthier now than before cancer, but nothing major...the 4 food groups...well, 5---chocolate IS a group, right??????

I have been able to maintain a weight that is, according to the BMI tables, 'the perfect number' for my height. I truly believe this is easier because of the decrease in dairy, and also I eat beef only 2 or 3 times a month (it's hard to digest). I eat bright colored fruits and vegies. Fresh, when at all possible.

I just celebrated 5 years since diagnosis in December. Since my J-pouch, May was 5 years. I have very few troubles, and can OCCASIONALLY eat ice cream, or cheese, as long as it is not too much in one day. As my subject line says, I have better toilet performance that many of my non-cancer friends (they all seem to have varying degrees of IBS...).

My advice is 'a tincture of time'. And learn what foods you need to stop eating, at least for awhile. If things get to out of control, the BRAT diet always works for me (Banannas, Rice, Applesauce, and Tea).

Hugs, Kathi

T
I always thought the t was toast.

KathiM said:

Hummmmm, maybe.....
But I always drank Tea...maybe I did it wrong...lol! But it works for me!!

Hugs, Kathi

No J-pouch
My son has no J-pouch - no room for it. He has tried everything and stool sits in his rectum all the time. It is a stright pipe according to the doctor. He stays raw most of the time as he can't empty his colon. He stays up at night and sits in sitz baths ans uses "butt paste."
What can he do and how does tea help. He is doing so well if he could find a way to keep the stool out of sitting just at the openng of the anus. Any suggestions. His doctor has been very little help. His stools are sometime just pieces as it comes down the pipe and just sits right at the opening. If he is going somewhere he just doesn't eat. He is doing well if he could find an answer to this problem. I am praying constantly. Thank you. Nana

KathiM said:

I would get a second opinion.....from another doctor
My first surgeon gave me a 50% chance of an external bag.

My second (the one I went with) gave me 3%...with a J-pouch as the alternative.

I do not know where you live, but this is something for an expert gastric surgeon, trained in this stuff. Mine is a UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange County, California. He specializes in low bowel resections...that is what you need to find. I can't say what can be done now, but an expert would know...

The 'tea' was part of the BRAT diet....Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Tea. This is a very mild diet, with a good track record of 'getting back to basics' to give the bowel a rest. It is also hydrating, to push the solid thru...

I, too, am missing my propulsion unit...so, as I said, I try to stay away from constipation...by eating non-constipating stuff. Dairy products and beef are culprits for me.

I am sending hugs for your son...sigh...it's miserable when you have pain there...he could try giving himself a low enema, nothing strong...maybe just with a water solution....but find another gastric doctor...they should have ideas...

HUgs, Kathi

Markman I had radiation
Merkman I had radiation issue I had the same thing blockade
maybe you should see a surgeon I had major surgery and the Dr
took 20" of my small intestine out I was very sick if you
had radiation for colon or rectal cancer then please see a
DR. he will do a CT scan to see if you have and thing wrong
with your intestine,.