JPouch Surgery and other Ostomies Community Group
A place where anyone considering, waiting for, recovering from, living with a j-pouch or other ostomy can ask for insight and share their experiences.
Hi guys, I am about to leave for the hospital for my takedown. It starts at 3. Eeeek I am nervous! I feel like I have read so many of your stories and information on the internet, but I still feel a little nervous.
How long did it take for your bowels to wake up and have your first BM? Was there a lot of pressure and gas feeling? Also, what kind of diet were you put on at first and when could you eventually start eating more normal things - like fruits and veggies. I sure have missed those! Do any of you here take the Metamucil wafers? I have heard of Immodium, Lotomil, and Metamucil. What is the difference between all of them? Is there one that works better or is recommended over the other? What kind of pain were you in when you woke up?
I probably won't get to check this until after my surgery is done but any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Hope everyone is doing great and out there livin life :)
How long did it take for your bowels to wake up and have your first BM? Was there a lot of pressure and gas feeling? Also, what kind of diet were you put on at first and when could you eventually start eating more normal things - like fruits and veggies. I sure have missed those! Do any of you here take the Metamucil wafers? I have heard of Immodium, Lotomil, and Metamucil. What is the difference between all of them? Is there one that works better or is recommended over the other? What kind of pain were you in when you woke up?
I probably won't get to check this until after my surgery is done but any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Hope everyone is doing great and out there livin life :)
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I gave my 2 week notice last Friday 13th. Now to join you fine people in a life of leisure and nothing else to do but to look out for myself....is it just me or does that sound pretty boring? My goal was to live to retire and I guess having to take early retirement because of health reasons wasn't exactly the way I had planned things. I just can't stay in that building that is reeking mildew...
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
Congratulations and welcome to where the real road to recovery and life begins!!
I think it took me about 3 days - but as I've said before I had alot of other complications.
I do remember laying in bed praying that I would fart so that they'd let me have some ice chips. :)
I had ALOT of pressure and gas at first and couldn't really pass gas very easily for the first year - it's only been recently that I've had that gift back! You learn what not to eat and how to move around. Taking simethicone or something simethicone based helps with the gas.
I started on soft stuff and honestly - I still do alot of soft stuff. I can do a little bit of salad here and there, but for the most part the acidity still bothers me. It seems that alot of other people eat whatever they want. I've always been the weird one out on that though so I'm not surprised.
I started out taking a couple wafers a day. I didn't find that fiber was a helpful option for me. I take an Imodium every time I eat, even if it's just one cookie or a couple crackers. That seems to work well. Imodium is the same as loperamide and it's over the counter. I think lomotil requires a prescription and it's a stronger, opiate based drug. Metamucil is fiber - fiber can help bulk up your stool at the right dosage.
I had alot of pain at first, but I think a good bit of that was related to all my complicatoins. I remember my "roommates" being in and out and in and out and I was still there. I want to say that from what I saw the average stay after take down was only about 3 days.
Can't wait to hear how you are doing!! I'm so excited for you!!
Kels
Loperamide is used to control diarrhea. It is available with or without a prescription. Rite Aid has this in Rite Aid brand bottle of 96 tablets. I take up to 8 tablets a day depending on my situation.
Lomotil (Diphenoxylate and Atropine)Diphenoxylate and atropine are used to control diarrhea. I believe Lomotill is only by prescription. i believe due to the Atropine.
Metamucil is just basically fiber. Metamucil (Psyllium)
Psyllium, a bulk-forming laxative, is used to treat constipation. It absorbs liquid in the intestines, swells, and forms a bulky stool, which is easy to pass.
I wish you well. Mary