food

I'm 15 months out and I do pretty good with a variety of foods, although I don't eat many veggies at this point. I do a lot of casseroles, pasta, pizza, etc. Lots of meat and potatoes. You are correct that everyone is different. I also do protein shakes and add banana and peanut butter. Lots of fiber does not do well for me.

I suggest we avoid the word “diarrhea” because it means completely different things to different people. Normal stool consistency for a J-poucher is roughly like pudding or applesauce (I apologize for the food metaphors). This is thick enough to minimize any burning or other issues from liquid stool, but thin enough to excrete without straining. Stool consistency can be managed with diet, fiber supplements like psyllium, and bowel slowers like Imodium or Lomotil. Each of these will have a different set of effects, and some thoughtful experimentation will help you figure out how these work in your particular circumstances.

I don’t manage my diet much, and I’m comfortable with a fair amount of variation in my stool. The issue of frequency has to be understood in the context of urgency - not every sensation requires a bathroom trip, so if your pouch is functioning well then the number of trips to the bathroom is (partially) a choice. If you are having true urgency (i.e. go now or make a mess) then it would be best to discuss that with a gastroenterologist, as pouchitis is one possibility.

wonderful, applesauce is something i did enjoy. I was really just asking about food but thanks. i know urgency doesn't equal pouchitis though and to correlate those two in my mind won't lead to good thoughts. personally, i consider diarrhea = liquid.  ya definitely if we were to use normal peoples definitions of diarrhea then we'd all be having diarrhea like all the time lol.

Yeah that is normal. I am 7 years out and I get diarrhea on a regular basis, that is normal for us. I would suggest using diaper rash cream so that you do not run into problems down the road. I go 14-20x a day and I am a vegetarian and I use Diaper rash cream which helps tremendous ( Calmoseptine)

oh ya definitely! i learned the hard way i’m allergic to calmoseptine. i use essential oils and make my own salve w arnica, st. john’s wort and essential oils. lots of witch hazel. and a diaper cream if i have to but it spreads and causes yeast infections so i only do when have to.

@kelsey posted:

oh ya definitely! i learned the hard way i’m allergic to calmoseptine. i use essential oils and make my own salve w arnica, st. john’s wort and essential oils. lots of witch hazel. and a diaper cream if i have to but it spreads and causes yeast infections so i only do when have to.

Oh shoot!!! What happened with Calmoseptine??? Itching???

yes really bad itching and burning. i forget what the ingredient is but it’s part of the ragweed plant family which i’m allergic too.

@kelsey posted:

yes really bad itching and burning. i forget what the ingredient is but it’s part of the ragweed plant family which i’m allergic too.

I understand. Convatec sensi skin barrier cream bothered me, itching!!!!

I'm six months out and I mostly eat homemade burgers with fish,chicken or meat with tomatoes and lettuce for dinner but I think that's just my choice.tomato sauce is not good.I can eat anything but moderation is the key.I think having a jpouch is like being a baby again as mushy food or food that you could feed a small child are best.

@Chook2 posted:

I'm six months out and I mostly eat homemade burgers with fish,chicken or meat with tomatoes and lettuce for dinner but I think that's just my choice.tomato sauce is not good.I can eat anything but moderation is the key.I think having a jpouch is like being a baby again as mushy food or food that you could feed a small child are best.

you can eat tomatoes but not tomato sauce? i read tomatoes can be tough bc of their skin, high acidity and pectin.  i eat cheese pizza  

yes!! that’s how i describe it to anyone and everyone (no one in my life has ever heard of this, neither had i before last july). the only non-puréed veggies i’ve tried are cooked spinach and sweet potatoes. my one year old nephew has a more varied diet than me 😂