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Do ostomates have fewer bowel movements vs jpouch?

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Posted 3/13/2013 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
So says my GI- based on reservoir of bag being bigger- says it averages 2x/day vs say 6 (goal) for jpouch. Is that true?
Posted 3/13/2013 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Personally, I empty my Ileostomy pouch about 6 times a day. I think it's pretty comparable to my jpouch friends...mines just on the outside! An Ileostomy is pretty active all day and may have a quiet period here and there for some people.

A Colostomy is more comparable to a regular colon's BM (for most but if you have Crohn's it is usually more active) and can even be trained with irrigation to go once a day for some people.


Are you thinking about surgery?
Posted 3/13/2013 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know about a J pouch, but my ileostomy is usually active and I empty about ten times a day.
Posted 3/13/2013 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
I empty my ostomy often too, every time I go to the wash room which is frequent as I drink so much water.
Posted 3/13/2013 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
2x/day for an ileostomy?!? I challenge anyone to claim they empty an ileostomy twice a day... Your GI is off their rocker. I have an end ileostomy with very thick output (that means there's less of it on a daily basis) and I still have to empty a minimum of three times per day. Usually more like five or six.

If I just sat here all day watching my ostomy, not wearing clothing to interfere with the pouch, and emptied when the bag was at its absolute maximum before being in danger of popping, I *might* be able to empty only two times... but that's insane. No one lives like that.
Posted 3/13/2013 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks folks! You guys have the real thing vs this normie GI blabbing off, sheesh. Gonna talk to an ostomy nurse shortly as I mull over options. Emotionally I admit I am still in denial trying to avoid surgery but in my head I know it's coming.
Posted 3/13/2013 10:58 PM (GMT 0)

Pluot said...
2x/day for an ileostomy?!? I challenge anyone to claim they empty an ileostomy twice a day... Your GI is off their rocker.

I agree with Pluot   :-)    I have a permanent end ileostomy and my output is almost always soft formed and thick.   I empty 4-5 times a day at my convenience.   Most of the time it is actually 4 times, but if I am going somewhere I empty before I leave, so I won't have to do it while I am out.   In almost 2 years, I think I have only emptied while out once or twice.

Posted 3/13/2013 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a J pouch and now and end ileo. End ileo empty about 5 or 6 times a day 2 per day is not possible. it is not always full but that is my average. With the J pouch it was probably twice that and it took much longer on the toilet and I had butt burn most of the time and leakage (unusual for J pouch except at night). J pouch function is highly individual and can vary from the rare 3 times a day to 20+(also rare) average is 6 to 8 they say. All things being equal you would probably empty a few times less per day with an ileo.
Posted 3/14/2013 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
When I had my temporary loop ileo, it ran like a faucet 24/7. It was a real problem. I go 4 to 6x a day with my j pouch so the difference is night and day.

I never had an end ileo but I have read enough to know they are much better behaved than a loop ileo.
Posted 3/14/2013 8:54 AM (GMT 0)
If I was seeing a so-called "professional" that clueless, I'd seriously consider finding someone else.
Posted 3/14/2013 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
pro.. seriously it is time for you to find a new GI. I cannot believe any qualified IBD doctor would have ever stated anything like that. I surely wouldn't want to put my healthcare in his hands.

I have had 4 ileostomies (two end and two loop) and one jpouch.
Here's my average stats.
both end ileos - about 7x day (i believe this is the range the ostomy nurses and docs shoot for)
one loop ileo - about 12x day
one loop ileo (clinically classified as high output) - about 18xday
jpouch - about 15-20xday (most "succesful" jpouchers I know are at about 10xday)
Posted 3/14/2013 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
I think your gi was thinking of a colostomy not an ileostomy, but nonetheless that is concerning and I would confront or switch....
Posted 3/16/2013 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
I empty a perm ileo 10-15 times a day. Some of those are because it was convenient not because it was really necessary.
Posted 3/16/2013 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Well, here is my 2 cents..
I have a j-pouch, and yes I CAN go 6-7 times a day, BUT (no pun intended)... I am in and out of the bathroom in under 3 minutes :) that includes hand washing!
And it really depends on what I eat too. And, you get to know your "pattern". I know about 15-20 minutes after I eat, I will have to go. And that CAN be inconvienent when eating out.. having to plan on being back near a bathroom when I know I will probably have to go.
I don't have much leakage any more.. and it didn't really last that long. I have not tried to ride a bike yet..but I do leak a little when I squat still.
And Pro, I am sorry I don't remember your gender, but for men I suggest sitting down to urinate for a bit, as I leaked when I urinated and didn't even know until I wiped! Just a suggestion..
So, in short, I love my j-pouch.. no supplies.. I can just get up and go when I want, and not have to worry about a bag to take, clean, will it pop off? all that kind of stuff..
The other thing I suggest is wearing panty liners for leaking for a little bit..
~best of luck!! hope you feel better no matter awhat you have done!
Posted 3/16/2013 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Probiotic - I remember u from the UC forums, no?

Well, you are on the right track.

As far as emptying, if you ask a colo-rectal surgeon, and not your GI, he will tell you J-pouch is 4-6 times a day (avg.).

I like going to eat out, being gluttonous, and taking my sweet time when and where I empty (my decision).

With the bag, I empty between 4-6 times a day....sometimes more if things are acting up..and, sometimes I empty as a matter of comfort, and not as a matter of necessity.

It's funny, 15 years with UC, playing "musical toilet" and, I still don't like using public restrooms! LOL!

Best of luck on your decision Pro!
Posted 3/17/2013 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Enigmawrap! Yeah have been over on the UC board chasing mirages for years now. Mine will end up being 3 steps as I am a bit on the indeterminate side. If things are great after step 1 i may just stop there and quit while I am ahead... We'll see.

Re public restrooms, I am a male and always had pee oerformance anxiety whenever there is a line for the urinals. At least whatever I do I guess I will become a hard core stall man (tricky as that can be to find free sometimes in the mens' room).
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