Having a really bad toilet issue night

Annabelle41415
Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Oh my goodness, my bathroom issues have been so bad today. It seems like I'm going every 15-30 minutes since eating lunch. Some days are worse than others. Yesterday my poop issues were better than ever. This today has been going on since 3:30 today and now it is 11:30. Some nights it seems like sleep never comes as I'm always going potty. Most days are really good and have no idea what sets off bad days. My diet never changes. This is so frustrating. Taking metamucil again. Hate this issue with the reversal. Sometimes having the appliance (which some call the bag - bad word LOL) would be so much better. Never had this issue and now all this. Sorry for venting, just having a really bad night. Surprised, that this post was done in just 3 attempts of writing (going potting in between). Oh well, I'm sure that tomorrow will be better, it always is :)

Kim
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Comments

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    Immodian
    Sorry, probably spelled it wrong, did you try Immodian?
    I'm so sorry I don't anything else to suggest, but it should work a lot better then metamucil.
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    Hi Kim. Just wanted to tell
    Hi Kim. Just wanted to tell you I'm sorry! My hubby is going through the same. In fact I thought of starting a thread to ask for help. He probably goes thirty x a day. Not diarrhea, just normal. He had an AWESOME day last Wed. and then it started again the next day.
    He starts his first chemo Wed...so we don't know what to expect with that....
    Hope things are better soon!
    Chriss
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    Kim
    It's times like you're having that do indeed make me happy to have an appliance/bag. Everytime I think appliance I picture a refrigerator strapped to my stomach! LOL A bag by any other name would smell as sweet?

    What kind of takedown/reversal did you have? Did you have an ileo or colostomy?

    I do hope it resolves itself for you. Remember that how you take the metamucil is important. If you want things to thicken up (dairrhea) take it with less water. If you want it to thin things down (constipated) take it with a lot of water and drink a whole glass right after and keep hydrating. (For those who were wondering what the heck I am talking about)
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    Sorry
    Kim,

    I am so sorry this is happening to you; you sure don't deserve this! I hope you feel better tomorrow.
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    aw kim, I am so sorry
    I sure hope your potty issues straighten out soon. I don't and never have had a bag, but I can empathize with the potty stuff, it sucks! Having just spent Friday to Sunday dealing with the stomach flu, me and the toilet got to be real close buds :(. Now that the body seems to be recovering from the flu bug, I'm back to the normal hell my bowel habits have become of late. Do any of the fiber and or products designed to slow the output have any effect? Praying for some relief for you soon and long.
    mary
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Lori-S said:

    Kim
    It's times like you're having that do indeed make me happy to have an appliance/bag. Everytime I think appliance I picture a refrigerator strapped to my stomach! LOL A bag by any other name would smell as sweet?

    What kind of takedown/reversal did you have? Did you have an ileo or colostomy?

    I do hope it resolves itself for you. Remember that how you take the metamucil is important. If you want things to thicken up (dairrhea) take it with less water. If you want it to thin things down (constipated) take it with a lot of water and drink a whole glass right after and keep hydrating. (For those who were wondering what the heck I am talking about)

    Ileostomy
    Had an ileosotmy and had it reversed on Novebmer 9, 2009. Doctor said it would take at least two years, but some days it just seems like such a mistake to have a reversal. Usually I'm able to do what needs to be done outside the home but I always feel like I need to be next to the potty after eating lunch. It never used to be that way, it was always just at night and now it's two sessions a day. Just a bummer tonight. Thanks for your post.

    Kim
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member

    Immodian
    Sorry, probably spelled it wrong, did you try Immodian?
    I'm so sorry I don't anything else to suggest, but it should work a lot better then metamucil.

    Yup
    I take that at night because sometimes I just can't get any rest unless taking it. It just seems I'm taking one pill after another. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm always welcome to something :)

    Kim
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    msccolon said:

    aw kim, I am so sorry
    I sure hope your potty issues straighten out soon. I don't and never have had a bag, but I can empathize with the potty stuff, it sucks! Having just spent Friday to Sunday dealing with the stomach flu, me and the toilet got to be real close buds :(. Now that the body seems to be recovering from the flu bug, I'm back to the normal hell my bowel habits have become of late. Do any of the fiber and or products designed to slow the output have any effect? Praying for some relief for you soon and long.
    mary

    Kim, most of time if DH is
    Kim, most of time if DH is sitting the urge is not there...but when he stands, BAM! And he better be close...is that close to what you experience?
    Another odd thing is he says if he has his shoes on, the urge is not as bad...heck, they're just tennis shoes...from Walmart..haha.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    okthen said:

    Hi Kim. Just wanted to tell
    Hi Kim. Just wanted to tell you I'm sorry! My hubby is going through the same. In fact I thought of starting a thread to ask for help. He probably goes thirty x a day. Not diarrhea, just normal. He had an AWESOME day last Wed. and then it started again the next day.
    He starts his first chemo Wed...so we don't know what to expect with that....
    Hope things are better soon!
    Chriss

    Yes I can really relate
    Sometimes it seems like 30 times a day however now it has gotten better. Maybe 20 on a bad day, but that still is so much. So sorry that hubby is going through the same thing. Start a thread about that since I'm sure many will chime in. Good luck on the chemo for hubby. Alot of us has been through it and can give you much help. Don't be afraid to ask for advice. We are always here for you both.

    Kim
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    okthen said:

    Kim, most of time if DH is
    Kim, most of time if DH is sitting the urge is not there...but when he stands, BAM! And he better be close...is that close to what you experience?
    Another odd thing is he says if he has his shoes on, the urge is not as bad...heck, they're just tennis shoes...from Walmart..haha.

    It sounds like
    he needs to keep his shoes on and sit down!
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Maybe changing how you eat, not what you eat
    Have you tried the 'grazing method' of eating? That is, just eating a little all through the day, and then limiting what you eat after 6 pm?

    It won't change how much there is but it may help to reduce the number of times you need to go.

    Just a thought...

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties
  • Kenny H.
    Kenny H. Member Posts: 502 Member

    Maybe changing how you eat, not what you eat
    Have you tried the 'grazing method' of eating? That is, just eating a little all through the day, and then limiting what you eat after 6 pm?

    It won't change how much there is but it may help to reduce the number of times you need to go.

    Just a thought...

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties

    Prior to me getting my bag
    Prior to me getting my bag (er um appliance lol) I had a severe bout with diarrea (8 days straight) Only thing that stopped it was Lomatil. But be careful, to much can clog you up easy. Dr prescribed 4 tabs a day but I cut it to one once normal.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member

    Maybe changing how you eat, not what you eat
    Have you tried the 'grazing method' of eating? That is, just eating a little all through the day, and then limiting what you eat after 6 pm?

    It won't change how much there is but it may help to reduce the number of times you need to go.

    Just a thought...

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties

    Grazing
    Yes, I've been a grazer all my life and it doesn't help either. Somedays can be so doable and others I'm just stuck to the toilet. Going to go buy some flax seed and see if that helps.

    Thanks! Kim
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member

    Grazing
    Yes, I've been a grazer all my life and it doesn't help either. Somedays can be so doable and others I'm just stuck to the toilet. Going to go buy some flax seed and see if that helps.

    Thanks! Kim

    Darn
    Kim, just seems that it would be a little bit easier since your coming up on a year with your reversal. I'm hoping it settles down soon for you.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Lori-S said:

    Darn
    Kim, just seems that it would be a little bit easier since your coming up on a year with your reversal. I'm hoping it settles down soon for you.

    Surgery
    It can be frustrating and yes with a year coming up you would think it would get better. Surgeon said it would take about two years, but some days it seems like the first poop session after reversal. Actually today is really a good day. See, it just seems to have no reason or rhyme.

    Kim
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member

    Surgery
    It can be frustrating and yes with a year coming up you would think it would get better. Surgeon said it would take about two years, but some days it seems like the first poop session after reversal. Actually today is really a good day. See, it just seems to have no reason or rhyme.

    Kim

    I hope it gets better for you Kim...
    You always have options, Miss VickiCO took her option and ran with it and was very happy with her decision to go back to a bag. She had her own business and could never stay with it for very long because of bathroom issues. She opted to get the bag back and evidently she is still happy with it. All of her bathroom issues instantly disappeared. It is an option that is there for you if it gets where you stay home bound, it is a very viable alternative to lifestyle. Love and Hope for you dear, Clift
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Better?
    Kim,

    I missed this post yesterday, and I certainly hope things are better for you now.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Buzzard said:

    I hope it gets better for you Kim...
    You always have options, Miss VickiCO took her option and ran with it and was very happy with her decision to go back to a bag. She had her own business and could never stay with it for very long because of bathroom issues. She opted to get the bag back and evidently she is still happy with it. All of her bathroom issues instantly disappeared. It is an option that is there for you if it gets where you stay home bound, it is a very viable alternative to lifestyle. Love and Hope for you dear, Clift

    Yes Thought about that Option
    Remember that Vicki did the reversal of the reversal. Haven't heard from her lately so hoping that all is well with her. Today is a very good day for me. I'm by no means home bound, but at times it can keep me home at certain times of the day especially after eating. When first finding out that my surgery might end in having a colostomy it was terrifying but after having an ileostomy and learning the ropes it wasn't as scary as when learning of the possibilty of having it. We have 8 kids and only 2 knew about it. Thanks for your support and understanding. Hugs!

    Kim
  • stratplayer
    stratplayer Member Posts: 42 Member

    Yes Thought about that Option
    Remember that Vicki did the reversal of the reversal. Haven't heard from her lately so hoping that all is well with her. Today is a very good day for me. I'm by no means home bound, but at times it can keep me home at certain times of the day especially after eating. When first finding out that my surgery might end in having a colostomy it was terrifying but after having an ileostomy and learning the ropes it wasn't as scary as when learning of the possibilty of having it. We have 8 kids and only 2 knew about it. Thanks for your support and understanding. Hugs!

    Kim

    I understand Kim
    I do completely understand what you are saying. I am trying to stretch out my Lomotil and Imodium does to every 4 or 5 hours. I still end up potty bound for several hours. I am only 4 months into my reversal. I am still home bound until I get it under control.
    I sure like super soft charmin. He He
    It sure beats the John Wayne toilet paper at the truck stop.

    Mickey
  • RickMurtagh
    RickMurtagh Member Posts: 587 Member
    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.