Cyclling, running with J pouch?

The whole point of a J-pouch (when the colon should go) is to eliminate urgency while keeping the external anatomy you were born with. Folks come to this board when things aren't going so well, which gives a distorted view of the likely outcomes.

A couple of years after getting my J-pouch I went on an all-day bicycle tour in Thailand. At mid-day we had a stop which included toilet facilities. Unfortunately it turned out to be an asian squat toilet (i.e. a hole in the floor), and the bad news is that poops with a J-pouch can be a bit explosive, so I was afraid of nailing my shoes with shrapnel. The very good news is that I went all day without a toilet. I was plenty uncomfortable by the end of the day, but I was extremely happy to have the power to choose. Similarly, when I go scuba diving I hold it until the boat returns to a place with plumbing.

I raced years with a j-pouch at various distances. But my experience may be different to yours.

I do a lot of cycling during the spring and summer and I can usually go a couple of hours without emptying my pouch, which for me is around 20 miles.

It was a big tougher for me in the first few months after takedown, but now running (not a cycler, sorry!) is easier than it was with the ileostomy since I don't have to worry about strapping down the bag, excessive sweating, etc. I find that exercise naturally slows my output so I usually have to have a BM after I finish and start to cool down, but very rarely have an urge in the middle of a workout.

I work out at a gym and run on the treadmill daily. It's all good! Just give yourself ample time to recover after takedown.

Running a 10k was challenging for me. On one, I made a point to not eat anything for breakfast, and still had to stop at 2-3 places along the route. Having to do that was infuriating.

With others, porta-potty lines were huge, so that was discouraging.

With a few others with reasonable porta-potty lines, I was fine once the race started.

But I have not gone on long bike rides.

On your rides, might not be a bad idea to make sure there is a bathroom stop on your route.

Thanks for the replies! I also have noticed that when im working out my output always stops almost completely so that may be a good sign for the future. I tend to do really hard workouts when im cycling so I dont know if that over exertion will be a problem but we will see

I have had no problems on half-marathons but I do have to use a port-a-potty during full marathons. Other than that I have no problems with endurance running, bicycling, swimming, rock climbing and yoga.I recently started Pilates and I am having internal tailbone pain. I am working with a teacher to figure out alternative positions. My output tends stop stop too during tough workouts. Good luck!

Oops! Sorry for the typos. I cannot figure out how to edit my last post.

To edit your post, click on the pencil eraser/file folder icon on the lower right of your post.

Jan

With endurance sports like marathons/tris; you need to start slow and build over time. You also need to figure out what fueling/hydration strategy works for you. An experienced trainer can be a big help. I have to occasionally remind mine that I am getting older and don't have a colon anymore. I use some of the gels for fuel, always make sure I have electrolytes (salt) in my hydration fluid. I have a running belt that holds bottles for fluid; it has a pouch where I keep some moist wipes in a zip lock bag.

You need to work out your routine in training, not at the race!

Just want to add my two cents worth: I live in the Netherlands and we cycle everywhere, all the time. Have done so now for 5 years with my J-Pouch and it hasn't caused any problems. I'm more likely to need to urinate than to empty the pouch! Even for endurance training, it's about finding the rhythm and routine which works best for you. Some trial and error, sure, but you'll get there.

Gin

I ran the Blue Ridge Marathon in Roanoke VA on Saturday April 26th (advertised as the toughest road marathon in the US with about 3800 feet vertical climb). Beautiful views on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It took me 4hours30mins because of all the hills, but I felt great at the end. I did gels every 20 mins and drank gatorade at every stop. I had to pee twice on the course (lots of porta potties), but did not have to empty my pouch till after I crossed the finish line.

Next is Comrades 56 mile run with about 5200 feet vertical in Durban South Africa June 1. You are allowed 12 hours to finish. I will carry a big bottle of gel energy stuff, do water on the course, and will probably have to throw in some salt tablets. I am sure I will have to stop and empty my pouch several times before the finish.

I'm 12 yrs. post op, and have had my fair share of complications over the years, but when things are going well, which they are now, I time my rides, hikes, or long excursions to take place after a light breakfast I can hold it for 5 hrs.

 

The only time I can't is if I have pouchitis. Which I was getting a lot for awhile due to a narrowing buttonhole/scar tissue.  I now get dilated about once a year, and that has solved all my problems. No more pouchitis, no more urgency, no more drugs, and comfort on long workouts.

Great to hear,that is an admirable result ! I am well aware of the race... 4:30 with those elevation changes is elite.

I have witnessed the Comrades(both directions) when I lived in Durban 1986-1990...92 km of 'heart'.

thanks for the tips regarding practicing in training prior to racing. I was a global competitive Ironman triathlete prior to 2008,having raced numerous IM events including Kona (IMWC) 2005 and numerous marathons,halves,multi and single discipline events.

Having lived in South a East Asia (Singapore) 1993-2012 and having returned here 07/2014 a sound understanding of electrolyte supplementation as well as dehydration and.Hyponeatremia  to a fairly accurate degree is paramount to racing (not participating) at ones potential.With temperatures averaging 35-40C during daytime and 90-92% humidity,those that do not understand or employ an effective electrolyte supplementation strategy in events longer than 75-90 mins risk hyponaetremia,heat stroke ,GI distress and possible DNF.

just participated in my first endurance event here in Singapore after being away from racing since 2011 due to Colitis and Total Colectomy 4/2013-4/2014. Did a half Mary on a rolling hill route in 1:49 (144/13000) overall at 48. Was in 88th at 17km but blew up due to lack of endurance at walked shuffled the balance in.I don't carry a FuelBelt as I carry a small highly concentrated solution GU Electrolytes (de fizzed overnight) 2000mgs Sodium in a 75ml squeeze bottle to add to water cups along the way. So happy to participate again and the miracle my surgeon did. Terry Walsh

My wife and I finished Comrades in June 2014; me in about 10 hours 11 mins, wife in about 10:45.

 

I finally did my ironman (Beach to Battleship in Wilmington NC, great iron man for a first one) in 13:29 or so.

 

Off to Antarctica for the Antarctica Marathon March 9th.  

 

I just plug along.  My left knee and hamstring are slowing me down though.  

 

I find running easier with J pouch than with the ileostomy. I can run for two hours without having to stop to use the bathroom. I have not run longer than that since surgery. I;m not sure I want to try another full marathon as I'm not sure I could go 3.5 to 4 hours (ok,  now likely more like 4 to 4.5 hours!!) without a porta potty break.  With a colon I could always count of Imodium but not sure it would be enough for a full marathon now. For those who run, cycle, etc. for more than three and a half hours, do you have to take a bathroom break?

I count on a bathroom break on longer events.  I try to go every 3 hours.  I carry wipes in a pouch that is part of a "fuel" belt that I have my gels, etc.  on.  I find I do better if I just plan on going.  Much better than trying to muddle through a j-pouch gurgling and the cramping that then follows. 

 

I don't set the world on fire with my times but I am usually in the middle of the pack.  Not bad for an over the hill goober with a j pouch, I think.

 

I will have knocked out 6 of the 7 continents for marathons with Antarctica this year.  We will go back to the Chilean Patagonian region next year for a marathon. 

what are "gels" people are referring to? Thanks.

 

"Gels" refer to small foil packages of carbohydrate that people carry and eat during endurance sports. They also contain electrolytes and sometimes caffeine. They provide energy during a long cycle, run, etc. (Eg. Gu gels)

I have been riding on my trainer and on rollers in my basement. I have not ridden out on the road more than 50kms at at time. My take down was in August and there were complications and now in Ontario it has just been too bloody cold to ride outside. I have been trying to get some of my presurgery fitness back. I have the extra complication of not being able to eat sugar. Fruits and vegetables are OK but hydration drinks and gels or bars are not an option. I have tried NUUN tablets and had good results for electrolyte replacement. It does have sorbitol but it seems OK so far. I too carry a zip lock bag with wipes in it and another empty one in case I have to go in a ditch or behind a bush to put used wipes in. Bad enough that I would have to do that I don't want to be a litter bug too. I just got myself a bigger saddle bag and had to get new shorts since I used to ride with bib shorts and those aren't conducive to having to go BM quickly or discreetly. Lol. I am going to ride with a group of randonneurs at the end of March and go for a 200km ride. It is in known areas where I am aware of bathrooms and distances between. I still have good days and bad days with my guts so I am hoping that this ride falls on a good day. I am not going down without a fight though. One other bonus is I am 30 lbs lighter than I was before any surgeries. Makes a big differenIe.