J-Pouch Advice/Healing/Sleeping....Ideas Welcome!

    Hey everyone! Well, after an awful 4 years with uc, about 2 weeks ago my husband underwent the ileoanal anastomosis surgery (ileostomy with a j-pouch)... and everything went as expected, and I believe he's adjusting fairly well. He's lost about 30 lbs, but we've been reassured he'll gain it all back. Now that he's in recovery with his ileostomy...while the j-pouch heals itself...he's having difficulty sleeping at night. I wasn't sure if this was common, but it seems as though he can only sleep on his back, as he says it hurts to lay on his side. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions who has had this done? I don't feel like he's healing very well because he's not sleeping at night as he's so uncomfortable sleeping on his back.

    We've adjusted our families eating habits and we don't eat after 6:00 pm as it causes his bowels and that little stoma to be too active and he wakes up often having to empty his bag at night time. It's taking a lot of getting use to, but I was wondering if anyone could offer some additional support or advice.  I am very proud of him, but I just want to help him somehow as I know this is such an adjustment. Normally you only have to have the ileostomy for 2-3 months, but after a little mishap (sneezing) the doc said it might take 6 months for him to heal properly! No worries though, we are keeping our heads up, and praying the Lord helps us get through this. However, any additional ideas or comments are welcome! I have already ordered him a 'stealth' belt to help with support of the bag..ect...but any ideas with the sleeping thing would be greatly appreciated! Thank you all!!!

Love in Christ,

Alaina

It's all about time, and more time. He will need to learn patience as the next surgery will probably be more aggravating. He can try taking a couple of tylenol before bed but I really think he just needs to heal. I was immediately able to sleep on my side but rolling over was a problem. For more tips you might want to go to www.j-pouch.org There are over 6000 pouchers on that site that might have better advice!

Sue

Thank you all! I did call the doc today to see about getting him some meds to help him sleep at night. So he'll probably take one vicodin before bed time to take the edge off. I'm praying this will help. However, not sure if it will help with having to empty his bag out through the night. We've been eating on a schedule before 6 in the evening; however, I'm still finding that even when we eat early it's waking him up in the middle of the night to be emptied. Someone mentioned taking immodium or a fiber supplement, but I wasn't sure if you did that even with a bag? I know he'll probably have to after the 2nd surgery, but I wasn't sure with the ostomy. Anyhow, He's doing this surgery in two parts. He'll undergo another surgery sometime in the future pending everything heals as planned. However, we have a check up in 3 months to see how things are healing, but the doc suspects his might take more like 6 months before he can have the 2nd part done, and I'm praying the 2nd surgery goes a lot smoother than this one has. He's been feeling a bit blue, but I"m trying to keep him afloat, and praying that he heals quickly. We are going on 3 weeks as he had the procedure done on Jan. 11th. It's all a little overwhelming at times, but with all said, I think he's doing ok. And to top it off, he's got a cold now, but we're treating that too. I just want him to get better as we have both an almost 2 y.o., and a 4 y.o., who are constantly active! Anyhow, thank you for all the tips, and I'll start researching those! ;)

Alaina

I am having the same problems. It still hurts to sleep on my side very comfortably. I can feel scar tissue around the ostomy area. It is also uncomfortable to sleep on my back and also I don't like to because then the output pools around the stoma instead of falling down into the bag. I am still up several times a night emptying the bag no matter when I eat or drink last. I have a very high output ostomy. For sleeping, I have been using a big body pillow and putting half between my legs and kind of supporting my upper body with the other half so sleep more comfortably on my side. I sleep on the side opposite of the ostomy.

I take Questran (every 8 hours) and Imodium (every 6 hours) to slow down the output. My doctor thinks I will probably have to continue to take these as long as I have the ostomy. Also there are some foods that are supposed to help bulk it up, like applesauce, bananas, breads, rice, marshmallows. I don't seem to notice a lot of difference according to what I eat, but others say they do. I'm also going to have to have the ostomy for at least 6 months due to a fistula.

Thank you all, I will take note to all of this and see what he thinks.

Pam-- What's a fistula, doesn't sound like much fun, but I'm glad things are getting turned around for you! Why did the doc decide to let your pouch go so soon? Thanks for the tips though!!! I've mentioned a body pillow a few times, and maybe finally, I'll be able to get him to try it, since it's working for someone else.

Clicky-- It's great to have so much in common with someone going through the same thing! I will make note, and I'll pray you continue to improve! Thanks! :)