It sounds like it could be pouchitis. If it is, a course of antibiotics does wonders. Ive had pouchitis several times and flagyl helps it resolve. It is a ten-day course, but you can tell it's so...
I am also mostly happy with my J pouch, although I am not quite as good as Devin. The first six months with the pouch were very painful and difficult. I wished for the bag back every day. Once I got...
Gas-X helps some, but Pepto Bismol has been much better for me. I don't know why, but it reduces the gas much more than Gas-X....
I had an ileostomy for six years and after learning to deal with it and accept it myself, it was really a non-isssue. I wore a band across my middle that covered the bag, and I explained that I had...
I've also only been dilated under sedation. In my case it is strictures. We'll see how long I go this time before needing another dilation....
The most recent dilation was just two weeks ago, so I don't know if that will be the final time. It becomes very painful and nearly impossible to empty, so I am reduced to eating soup, jello, ice...
I have now been seven months since my J pouch surgery and it has been a trial as well. I have had strictures three times and had to be dilated. The pain, the spasms, and the inability to empty have...
I have had the J pouch for 5 months now and am still struggling -- burning, itching, bleeding, a feeling of being unable to go completely, spasms, pain..... I had a stricture and was dilated two...
It really is a toss of the coin. Some people are happy with the ileostomy and others with the J pouch. I can tell you that I had the ileostomy for six years and did quite well with it. I learned to...
Thanks for the link, Pluot. It was interesting. It does address the actual physical failure of the pouch. I can believe the 90-95% figure for that. It leaves aside quality of life issues. I would...
I have a parastomal hernia that needs repair and the surgeon wants to give me a Jpouch at the same time. I have adjusted to the end ileostomy but would love to be rid of the bag if I could. He says...
I am now facing the difficult decision of whether to reconnect. Like Tubes, I had toxic megacolon and a total colectomy. I have done pretty well with the bag, but I now have a parastomal hernia...
The colon does not digest food, but it does absorb the water and electrolytes. As ileosotomates, we can easily lack electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium). B 12 is also absorbed by the terminal...
Many people caution about peanuts, but I can eat them with no problem as long as I chew well and drink plenty of liquids. I also don't overdo -- that seems to be the secret about everything; it is...
Dehydration is a constant problem for ileostomates, but I am usually able to control it with Immodium and Pedialyte or another product to hydrate. Even with that, I occasionally just can't keep up...
Wayne, My stoma is also just above the waistline. I wear oversize pants with suspenders and shirts out instead of tucking them in. I may not be the most stylish guy around, but it sure is comfortable...
I share your concern. My surgeon is now talking about doing an ileorectal anastomosis, but I am very leery. I lost all of my colon and part of my small intestine. As I empty the bag 10-15 times a...
I have had that problem with B-12 and have to give myself injections, but i have not been aware of any magnesium issue except for when I get dehydrated and then have had to have an IV....
My ileo was also the result of emergency surgery because of infection. It is a quite different experience from most here who wrestle with when and if to do the surgery and then have health...
Mike is right. It seems really overwhelming at first, but it gets better. I didn't have any advance notice or time to fret about it beforehand, I just came out of a coma without my colon. It was...
Imodium is weird for me because it often seems to affect intestinal motility rather than effluent consistency, meaning that I can take it if I am going somewhere and slow my output sufficiently to be...
Imodium can be a big help, but I am also bothered by very pasty output. I have also had two blockages, so you can certainly overdo the immodium. The trick is to find the balance. I don't like taking...
Yes, there is much more noise! My friends always laugh about it because sometimes they even hear it in the next room. There is often a lot of rumbling....
Those things mentioned (apple sauce, bananas, peanut butter) all help me, but one of the best for me is rice....
I was somewhat reticent at first as well. With time, I managed to become accustomed to the bag and accept it. I also wear a waistband and no partner has ever made it an issue. The issue was more mine...
Usually constipation does happen in the colon, but you could have another problem; perhaps an obstruction or other problem in the small intestine as you suggest. Have they done any tests? Do you pain...
I take it when I get a diarrhea attack and it helps. I am also resistant to taking it every day though. I have heard about withdrawal issues and I have twice had blockages that make me leery of...
My ileo is high output and I empty 10-15 times a day. That means that hydration is a constant challenge. It sometimes feels as though I just can't keep up. I do drink a lot and always have pedialyte...
I empty 10-15 times a day. Some of us seem to have higher outputs for some reason....
There are a lot of factors that can influence transit time: the food, the amount of food already in your digestive system, the amount of small intestine that you may have lost, etc. I also think that...
As you say, Gordon, everyone is a little different. The key is to begin by trying small amounts of things and adding in new things one at a time so that you will know if something bothers you. I have...
After the initial healing from my surgeries, I quickly realized that my drs knew NOTHING about living with an ileostomy. I did see several wound/ostomy nurses who were very helpful, but this forum...
I have recently been diagnosed with hemochromatosis which is basically an iron overload. The first symptoms are joint pain, weakness, fatigue and abdominal pain. Reading more on the topic on line, I...
I had a defective box once. three days in a row I had a new bag fail! What a mess! I called and returned the other seven bags and they sent me a new box, no questions asked. If you have a problem,...
Mine is on the right side slightly below the level of my navel but above the belt line so that it is above and hangs down outside my briefs....
I don't think that sounds unusual. I often get liquid output; it can depend on diet, but sometimes it just seems to happen and I can't blame anything in particular. It will usually stop, but if it...
I certainly had no choice and didn't even know that I was getting it. I just woke up from a coma with a bag of crap hanging off me! It has now been three and a half years and will be the rest of my...
After three open, emergency surgeries, I could feel it tear after every sneeze or even just blowing my nose for months after the surgeries. Hernias are very common after open surgeries; I know of no...
I had an emergency colectomy for toxic mega colon. I think that the surgeon nicked my small intestine and the peritonitis was a surgical complication. After three emergency, open surgeries over about...
The stoma and pouch stick out, at least mine do! I wear pants several times larger than necessary with suspenders and loose shirts that hang over my pants. I also don't understand how people say they...
Since you are in that first six weeks, you need to be a little more careful about your diet. Try new foods one at a time to be able to see the reaction and don't eat too much of anything - better to...
It can vary a lot due to diet. If it is too liquid, you risk getting dehydrated. For an ileostomy, anywhere from pudding to toothpaste consistency is okay. If I have too much liquid, i will eat rice...
I have only ever had two blockages and was able to resolve them at home. (Knock on wood!)...
Check out this site. They have some videos that you can watch. http://www.stomaplex.com/ostomy-belt/index.html I have also had good luck with the celebration belt, but that also restricts flow so...
If the stoma is putting out and things are flowing, you should be able to eat. I'd ease into though to be sure. I have only ever had two blockages, and they are no fun. Good luck!...
I am still emptying 10 times a day on a good day - a bad day could be 15. I see that most people empty fewer times. I am not sure why I seem to have a higher output. It doesn't have to limit you too...
It can definitely turn red: not only beets but red Gatorade can make the output bright red. I don't think that it matters, but it is certainly disconcerting! I try to avoid the red for that reason....
I don't know about a J pouch, but my ileostomy is usually active and I empty about ten times a day....
I had a similar experience Kellie. I had a total colectomy due to infection and then also got peritonitis after the first surgery. Three surgeries later and three weeks in an induced coma on a...
I think that the powder and skin barrier are to protect the skin. Slight leaks can cause skin damage around the stoma and it is difficult to heal....