Re: Feeling of poop but cant

Hello all,

First off, I (22, M) wanted to say glad to be here, not a J-Poucher but have not found a whole lot of information on straight ileorectal anastomosis people.

I had my procedure done to treat colonic inertia and mega colon. I had a diverting loop ileostomy for two weeks, and then the docs went in and did the takedown after only two weeks because the connection was healed (Colorectal contrast MRI) and turned out I had strictures which had been giving me incredible pain. I have been working with my doctors but I am in the Army and went through the army medical system (my mistake lol) and they are closed tomorrow. I am a month beyond surgery and things are still a little off, I am working at getting where I need to be and I know in one way or another I will.

This leads to my main question, I am having the hardest time trying to poop this evening. I felt like I definitely had to go to the bathroom and three times I got up and tried to go, I almost kinda forced it (very very gently) standing up. Ill walk you through my whole day so far for context.

Only had 3 bowel movements today: one at one PM (After not having gone since eight O'Clock the previous day, was soft) one at 3ish that was diarrhea, and one at 4ish that was watery.

As far as meals I am trying to eat 3 small meals with snacks at an interval in-between, as per what I have been instructed I had oatmeal, toast and bacon, with half a teaspoon of Metamucil before. I had a electrolyte drink and a low-fat yogurt pro biotic drink. For lunch I had rotini and chicken. Afternoon snack I had a banana smoothie with peanut butter, and finally for dinner I had the same thing for lunch, just in smaller portion. I go for walks almost 3 times a day, probably quarter to half a mile

Beyond the feeling of tightness (doesnt hurt) in my rectal area, I have no pain. My stomach is a little distended, but when I push on it feels pretty soft. When I am standing up, it feels a little tight, but again, no pain.

I was gonna ride it out til morning but I was concerned when I felt a twinge of nausea, no gagging or anything, but I had not felt that feeling since after waking up from the second surgery. my question is should I go into the ER or try something specific? I bit the bullet and took some gas x and drank a hot cup of cider which always seems to get me going.

Sorry for the long post, just tryin to be my best advocate!

9/4/226:55 PM

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AMBMember

I hope you're feeling better, but if it gets really bad, ER might make sense.

j-pouchers often end up with some stricture around the loop (temporary) ostomy take-down site that can result in obstruction or partial obstruction. The surgical approaches to taking down the ostomy vary, but both ways they do it can result in some narrowing at that spot

Not sure if you're in the same boat.

Nausea and abdominal pain can indicate some partial obstruction. It's important to drink plenty of water or other fluids because with no bowel we are vulnerable to dehydration to begin with. The water also helps with keeping things soft and moving in the gut.

If you've got a partial bowel obstruction, ER would be appropriate. You'll know it if you've got significant abdominal pain and distention and can't tolerate even water by mouth. They will give IV fluids to keep you hydrated, offer pain meds (but skip the opiates that they may suggest - they slow down gut motility). They can also use an NG tube to remove stomach contents if necessary. They will throw in a CT scan for good measure

I just went through this, and after the ER visit I finally got to my specialist & was told to stay on clear fluids, easing back to a low fiber diet. Ultimately after a few days following the ER visit, a dose of Metamucil was enough to soften up the bowel contents and resolve the issue. My local GI calls Metamucil the "mildest laxative know to man."

Advice I received from my specialist - just today - after having endoscopic balloon dilatation of my stricture, is to stick to a high protein, low insoluable fiber diet, taking care not to over-do the psyllium husk (Metamucil).

Let us know how you're doing!

9/6/229:35 PM

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Sean JenkinsMember

I am good now, I think I just need some pot or valium lol, Im such a planner and I need to realize that my body has acceptable operating ranges.

9/8/223:30 PM

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