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Posted 8/11/2013 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

It has been way too long for me since I've been on this board. I just starting working as an MD resident at a local hospital, which has truly taken up all my time. But I do continue to stalk this board and am always learning so much from you guys. Thanks!

I just had step 2 of my 3-step on Wednesday 8/7. Surprisingly, doing really well, it's scaring me a bit. Haven't needed any Percocet since they switched me to oral pain meds and fairly ambulatory. Still always EXHAUSTED, but I expect as much since I am, of course, still healing.

Any specific advice in regards to now being a J-poucher with a loop? I have started working on my Immodium regimen. If I take about 3 in a day (breakfast, lunch and before bed), my output thickens up to a place where I think it is good to be less than a week out. Does this seem reasonable?

As always, I am fascinated by so many of you guys on here who have taken this challenge on with so much strength. You are truly my biggest inspirations and I couldn't have made it anywhere near this far without this board. I cannot thank you enough! Have a fabulous rest of your weekend =).
Posted 8/11/2013 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ekta!! Congrats on completing Step 2!

Wow, I can't believe you are taking on a residency while you do your surgeries! How does that work? How much time off do you get? Do you have to go back to 80 hour weeks?! My hat is off to you!!

I was barely eating solid food four days out from step 2 so I think you're doing great.

The name of the game with the loop is to stay hydrated and protect your skin. The loop can be harder to pouch so be on the lookout for leaks and be flexible with your appliance -- you might need to change stuff even if it was working perfectly with the end ileo. Keep measuring your output and try to keep it under 1000cc per day.

Other than that I think you're good to go. It's VERY early to be using Imodium - you might want to see how you fare over the next week or so just managing your output with thickening foods and lifestyle changes (e.g. no chugging drinks, no plain water).

You might have mucus discharge from your j-pouch while you're sitting on the toilet, or it might slip out by itself. It's very normal and don't be concerned if there's a bit of blood in it either.
Posted 8/11/2013 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you're doing great! Everyone is different in terms of how liquidy their loop output is -I had a horrible time, had to take 8 each per day of Imodium and Lomotil, plus opium tincture, and still fought dehydration. But I was definitely on the extreme end!

Just be sure to keep hydrated, especially if you're working too! I have been off work since Feb with all of this, I can't imagine how strong you must be to take on a residency during this process! Try to take it as slow as you can ...
Posted 8/12/2013 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Ladies,

Thanks so much for the helpful replies. My program has been great and understanding so I have another 6 weeks off before I go back to the 80 hour work weeks. Hopefully, should be ready to go by then.

I'm not a fan of Gatorade (though I drink it cuz I know it's important). Is there any other electrolyte drink that you guys know about that is "tasteless" but has the electrolytes we need? I was a big big water drinker before all of this started, so it's hard for me to feel quenched with sugary stuff like Gatorade. Thanks!
Posted 8/12/2013 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
MorethanUC- congrats on step 2. I was officially a 3 stepper but changed my mind after step 1 and have decided to indefinitely enjoy ostomate life and no more surgeries, knockon wood. You 3 steppers certainly have my resoect to go through that much! Sounds like you will do great. As far as elctrolyte drinks- pedialyte is where it's at- much more electrolytes and much less sugar than gatorade. I dilute even pedialyte in half but I do wish there was one without flavoring.
Posted 8/12/2013 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
You can make an ORS with plain water, baking soda, sugar, KCl (sold as salt substitute) -- see the WHO recipe on this page: www.oley.org/lifeline/ORS.html.

I'm a big plain water drinker too and honestly it's easier for me to drink dilute Gatorade or something like that than the water based ORS -- adding enough stuff to make it hydrating makes it taste like "contaminated water" to me so I suck it up and usually do diluted Gatorade with a bit of salt.

As time goes on you will probably be able to switch back to plain water. With my loop I took 6 Imodium per day but drank plain water and iced tea -- I needed to take Imodium no matter what and I preferred to take an extra tablet or two rather than not be able to drink plain water.
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