@Big DH posted:When you do have a BM does it take a long time...15+ minutes or a more "normal" time? One of things I have read and found myself is that BMs tend to be slow (especially if on a fiber supplement or Loperamide) and that often I think I'm done only to return within 30 minutes to an hour to (possibly) continue what I previously started! I generally end the BM when I think I'm finished or my legs fall asleep :-) I'm pretty sure this is increasing my daily BM counts though several could be consolidated if they were faster.
When I had the ileostomy, my output, even without loperamide or any other thickening substance, was thick; I was emptying the bag 3 to 4 times per day, every 2 hours, even during the night;
The loperamide was prescribed to slow down my output rather than thicken it; where as now, with the j pouch, it’s prescribed to thicken my output.
With my J pouch and during a BM I don’t take a long time, I’ve never actually timed myself but it’s just like using the toilet before the ileostomy and prior to my UC diagnosis.
There are occasions when I’ve finished and within minutes I have to go again but when this has occured, luckily, I've always been at home or in familiar surroundings, not when I've been out.
I’m never on the toilet until my legs fall asleep; if you can, you want to try and avoid this, as sitting for long periods with BM residue between the cheeks can lead to Butt Burn; maybe at least apply a barrier cream, such as the ilex to prevent the acidic residue touching your skin.
I’ve never had the need to thicken my output, I did consider it, as it was suggested a remedy to either reduce or prevent butt burn but I’ve never actually suffered from the diaper rash type butt burn.