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Question for JPouchers....

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Posted 4/20/2012 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Is it possible to do damage by "holding it in" too long?  My son holds it ALL day while in school because he does not want to use the bathroom at school because he doesnt want anyone to hear him. Then he comes home and ends up in the bathroom the rest of the day and night.  He has also been getting very bad stomach pains at night that wake him up.   We called the Dr about the pains and they told me to give him Pepcid.  But can he be doing damage by holding it all day?   could it result in Pouchitis?

thanks!

Posted 4/20/2012 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
In pretty sure it can result in pouchitis. He is allowing all the bacteria to ferment ad grow. Probiotics could prevent this.

My surgeon should be seeing me this morning and I'll ask him about holding it in to long.
Posted 4/20/2012 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
Im not a doctor but i dont think you can do any harm. I work from 830am to 3pm and i do not use the bathroom that whole time but i usually dont have the urge to go until i get home. If he has to really hold it in, then he probably should be relieving himself at least once while he is in school.

If his pain is directly coming from higher in his stomach, then its probably not his pouch. Is that all his doctor said?
Posted 4/20/2012 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
His doctor said it was probably reflux as the pain was under the sternum above the belly button.  But now the pain is lower, just above the belly button and radiates to both sides of his belly button.  I am going to call the Dr again today.   He cant sleep at night because the pain wakes him up.  We;ve tried Pepcid,  not helping.

Thanks

Posted 4/20/2012 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
If he's holding it to the point of discomfort, I would say that's probably not a good idea.
Maybe he can get permission to use the bathroom in the nurse's office?

Sue
Posted 4/20/2012 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, he does go to the Clinic to use the bathroom.  he is under the 504Plan and has a clinic pass that permits him to leave the classroom at any time without explanation.  But he doesnt for fear someone will hear him "Shart" in the bathroom  (as he puts it wink ).   It all about the "embarassment" factor.  Totally understandable, I just dont want him to make himself sick because of it or do damage to the pouch.
Posted 4/23/2012 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
I was told that if you hold it instead of going as soon as you get the urge that it will help to stretch the jpouch making it easier in the long run to wait longer and go less often.
Posted 4/23/2012 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not a big fan of public toilets either but I still use them. Does he flush when he goes? That usually hides any noise for me and usually the industrial toilets like they have in schools are pretty loud. I don't know if the restroom at the nurse's clinic is very private but maybe he would feel more comfortable in the regular boys' restroom and if he goes during class there likely wouldn't be anyone in there. I could hold it that long if I had to but I might feel a bit uncomfortable.
Posted 4/25/2012 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
I can relate...I work at a school and feel the same way, and I'm an adult! I sometimes use the nurse's office or just wait until nobody is in the bathroom. I did talk to our nurse about this today and asked if she could ever hear me or other kids in the bathroom. She said no. I would call his school nurse and tell her his concerns and ask if she or anyone else can hear him. Maybe if he knew that nobody could hear him, he would feel more comfortable going down there. Also, our nurse suggested maybe you buying a portable fan for some white noise. He could turn it on when he is in there. I know that nights are my worst time. I can be all fine and then I am going many times at night and often have pain, whereas in the mornings I am fine.

Good luck to both of you!
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