Help, I'm becoming incontinent

Just a few questions, how many times a day can I use citrucel? Can I use Lomotil along with Imodium? Because I'm just not good with liquids would the gummies be another choice?

Morning MEMA 1.

first citrucel is to treat constipation.  And lomotil is used for diarrhea and so is imodium.  Now it depends on what your trying to do to help your condition that you may be having at the time.  

My understanding is that Citrucel, Metamucil, etc, while not advertised,  can also treat diarrhea (and not just constipation) but the ratio of product to water, applesauce, etc is quite different.  My surgeon advises to use a small amount of the latter.  I use about 2 large soupsoons of applesauce or yogurt and a heaping scoop of Metamucil. The scoop is the one provided with the Metamucil.   When heaped, it is equivalent to about 2 real teaspoons.  I have been using it only before breakfast and use 2 Phillips gummies before dinner, as suggested by Jan Dollar.  I welcome any input as to quantities, frequency and timing, such as before or after meals.  After is not intuitive to me but I recall it being mentioned in a post some time ago.  My good wishes to all.

MEMA 1... use the Citrucel as you wish.  but when I looked it up it clearly states what it's used for.  Now use it as you will.  Have a fantastic day.  

One more important factor for you to think about MEMA 1..... you should ONLY FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR'S and/or SURGEON'S advice because you're his patient.  Please do not follow the instructions meant for someone else given to them for them by their doctor and/or surgeon.  Never take the advice of some else's doctor because that information was meant for his patient.  Now if I were you I would contact my GI's office and discuss the matter with your doctor before you go mixing any other ingredients together and make a small matter into a bigger problem for yourself.  You should follow your doctor's instructions for your medical needs to be safe.  It's against the law (HIPAA). 

MEMA 1.....Lomotil is also used to stop diarrhea as well Imodium. 

Edith, the last thing I want to do is to misinform  or argue, but my comments WERE based on my very excellent GI surgeon's advice.  I  am not advising anything...just passing along information.

TCM:  I don't argue.  And nor was I pointing fingers at anyone, and nor did I say or am I saying that misinformation is being given.  I was very clear with MEMA 1 when I wrote her.  Nor did I ever mention, not once that anyone was advising either.  If you wish to pass along information, you are free to move about the cabin as you wish.  If my providing MEMA 1 with information that would be helpful to her is troubling to you, so sorry you've taken my comment to MEMA 1 personally.  I did not address you or say anything to you about you.  Not once.   So with that said I trust you will continue to have a very pleasant day.   

Thank you.

If introducing anything different into what I do I try adding just one new thing at a time.  That way I can tell if it is making a difference.  We are all different. For example if I eat something that makes my output more solid I don't use the fiber gummies.  

We are here to help one another and I think it is clear that we are sharing what helps us so that maybe someone else will be helped. We are all different but similar.  I don't think any of us are telling Mema to do anything against her medical professionals directions. 

Edith, soluble fiber (like Metamucil, Citrucel, Benefiber, gummies, etc.) is very commonly recommended for J-pouches to bulk up the stool. You are correct that that application isn’t mentioned on the package labels, but it nevertheless really is quite common. My surgeon put me on Metamucil the day I left the hospital, and it has been helpful to me for about 16 years. TCM describes a common practice of reducing the fluid that the fiber is mixed with. I don’t find it necessary, and that does create a small risk of choking. I’m not at all sure why you are bringing up HIPAA - each of us is free to discuss our health situation however we like. HIPAA governs the privacy responsibilities of health care providers, but doesn’t restrict patients’ discussions.

I wouldn’t recommend combining Lomotil and Imodium; it’s likely to be better to figure out which one works better for you and use that one.

it seems to me that my giving MEMA 1 information is a problem for you people.  PEACE OUT

AND NOR DID I RECOMMEND FOR HER TO USE THE TWO.  I SIMPLY MENTIONED THE TWO ITEMS.....NO DA.....ANY THINKING PERSON COULD AND WOULD FIGURE TO USE ONE OR THE OTHER.  

Just because a comment might follow another, it does not mean it is directed at a specific person. I believe Scott was replying to a direct question in regard to whether it is advisable to take both Imodium and lomotil, not an implication that anyone had advised it.

I also will chime in that fiber supplements are widely recommended as bulking/thickening agents for chronic watery stools, even though they are marketed for treating constipation. The point is that their mode of action serves both purposes (soaking up fluid). 

Most of us are not newbies and come here specifically to get or give ideas about what works. Often, the doctors really do not have much advice on day-to-day maintenance stuff. I don’t think anyone expects to come here for medical advice or advice to ignore their doctors.

We try to keep it chill, and friendly. 

Jan

Mema, I am so  sorry to her about your situation.  I too have been seeing similar changes, my pouch is 25 plus years old.  Dr Bo Shen just put me on entiyvio since my crohns is getting worst, RVF's and absesses in the anus area etc.  and well as some day time problems.  I just ordered 2 anal plugs from the 2 companies that make them. 1 sells only in Europe but you can buy on ebay, coloplast and the other is actually a RX, renew medical.  I would just use them when I am out in important situations or whenever its crucial there is no leakage.  Don't know how well they will work but I can let you know.  Also know that there are many others of us in your situation, you are not alone.  I know it is very frustrating. The entiyvio Dr Shen put me on on regular infusions every 2-8 weeks, it's a biologic. If that doesn't work I am back to a ileo as well.

So sorry to hear about your problems. I guess none of us are alone. I also have crohn's and I'm on Remicade. I hate it because it's making my immune system so weak. I've been fighting some kind of a lung infection that I've had for months and can't get rid of it.

Please let me know how the plugs are working. I hope that they work for you. If I can avoid getting an ileo, I'm going to try my hardest. I can't imagine what it must be like and don't want to.

Be well!

I hope you both get to keep your j-pouches. Mema, I know it seems unimaginable but I am living with a permanent ileo and am doing better than with my failed j-pouch. 

It's good to hear that. I'm sure that there are many people that feel that way. I guess with me, it's the fear of the unknown, and I don't want to rush out and do something so permanent and find that I'm more miserable than I am now.

I am having the same problem with nighttime leakage. I have tried the Imodium and have major problems with cramping severely the next day. I am confused as to why Metamucil will work. I would think adding fiber would make it worse. Can someone explain?  Takedown in 2004. No problems until the past year. Any suggestions or advice?  Thanks, Becky

Soluble fiber (like Metamucil) helps many J-pouchers by thickening the stool. Stool that’s less liquid is less likely to leak, and can be easier to hold in.

The fiber develops a gel-like consistency when mixed with water. It tends to thicken watery stool to that gel-like consistency, and also thins hard stool to that same gel-like consistency.