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Reply to "I am really depressed"

Hi Erica,

I am so sorry, I know how horrid it is in the beginning of your first-year post op...thing are difficult, horrible, embarrassing, exhausting, uncontrollable etc.

(by the way, I have a k pouch and not a jpouch so my pouch-needs were different but the journey was the same)

You are at the beginning of a very long journey and the first-step is the hardest. You are on the uphill-curve of the journey and you cannot see the top yet...it is the sleeplessness, pain, itch and frustration that is getting you down, not to mention the PTSD post surgery, the dashed hopes that 'this surgery' would release you from all pain and anguish etc.

Eventually (I know, I hate that word) things will calm down, your body will adapt to its new plumbing and slow things down, you will sleep through the night (mostly) and finally get the rest that you deserve as well as a routine going that both you and your body will be happy with.

For now, though, there are things that you can do to help thing along the way. 

Stool thickeners (fiber supplements, metamucil...) and motility slowers  (lomotil) can make the trips to the bathroom less frequent, a bidet or hand held shower attachment on your shower, tub, or sink faucet can help tremendously and if you cannot use one of those just get yourself a squirt bottle, fill it with clean water, maybe some mild soap like a few drops of glycerine soap or baby shampoo, and wash down there every time instead of relying on TP...it will help with the itching and pain...there are barrier creams as well that you can use (the others here will help you with the names...I have a stoma so I got stoma burn in the beginning and used baby rash cream)...

You are probably suffering from 'situational depression' meaning that if everything was well, you would be too...So get yourself someone to talk to...a family member or friend that has a sympathetic ear, a doctor or therapist or find a group in your area (you may need to ask your doctor's secretary or nurse to help with that) or just us...We are very sympathetic and understanding...and are happy to listen.

Your diet may affect your body's way of controlling output...stick to mild foods,  for now, thick and pasty stuff like rice, bagels, peanut butter etc...avoid fruit juices, sodas and carbonated water and keep a food diary...it will help you to find patterns in what you eat and how it affects your body.

Hang in there

Sharon

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