lots of bathroom trips at work

Are you taking an anti-spasmodic before lunch? You may be able to solve this issue by taking bentyl, lomotil or donnatal (my preferred anti-spasmodic) 30-45 minutes before lunch. It sounds like you could have a spasmodic bowel (excessive motility) which is a problem or was for me in the months after surgery.

I did just get the script for lomotil recently I will try taking one about 11:15am and see if this helps.

Holly,

It should help. Based on what you have described it sounds like a motility issue. I had the same problems in the first year after surgery. It gradually settled down over time to where I did not have to take lomotil, or bentyl or donnatal. I personally felt Donnatal had the least side effects of the 3. They make you feel slightly loopy. Nothing major though.

Holly, you also might want to experiment with adjusting/limiting the snacks; especially in the afternoons. I've always found that the more I eat, the more I go. So multiple, small meals/snacks for me throughout the day just means I'm going to go that much more often....

I try to eat three distinct meals during the day. Though it might sound crazy, and people at work certainly comment on how little I eat, I typically have a banana, a bagel/muffin/protein bar and OJ for breakfast; yogurt, an apple/peach/pear/orange and pita chips for lunch; then whatever I want for dinner. :-) The upside is I generally only have to go 4 times/day (once when I wake up; once after lunch; once after work; and before bed).

I'd also recommend trying to hold your trip(s) to the restroom until a little after you've eaten. For me, that allows my system to 'process' what I've eaten; the peristalsis (sp?) slows down; and thus the time bathroom breaks maximized.

I hope this helps. Prayers & Best Wishes, Steve

Bentyl is great but it can make you tired at first. If you do ever take it try only a 1/4 of it then a half and go to a full pill once it doesn't make you tired. I also take it with food. After a week or 2 on it I didn't have an issues with it but I do cut it down so my energy doesn't go out the window. if I am home I take a whole pill. My intestine moves around so much and I form a lot of gas so it just slows it all down.

I have had my pouch for 15 years and still have a motility problem. I take Lomotil and it does help but I am still going to the bathroom way too much. I am wondering if I could take a Bentyl on top of the Lomotil??? And Holly, have you ever taken a Pepto Bismol? It has certainly helped me and this OTC drug sure couldn't hurt.

Holly. I have some frequency issues mid afternoon as well. I have stopped eating bread for a while and so far it is helping. Might be worth a try. Gary

Thanks for all the great advice. I am going to try these tips out this week. Wish me luck!
Hope everyone has a good week.

holly have a great week at work.

I had my takedown in 2007 and still have lots of bathroom trips during the day and night. I do not eat breakfast, and only a banana at lunch. I eat supper at home, and typically am in bathroom 14+ times per day. This is the system I have evolved into which allows me the most productivity at work. Not great, and I dont go out much or travel etc, but I am able to work full time and keep my healthcare benefits. Try experimenting and see what works for you.

Mark

Mark, good point, being able to work and keep healthcare benefits that is what is very important to me for sure. I had a fairly good day today. Only ate a peanut butter sandwich for lunch and only had 2 bathroom trips today. It wasn't as stressful as my normal work day either so that may have played a part. Keeping fingers crossed for a good day tomorrow. I don't travel too much either (only 6hrs on weekends to go to our weekend cabin) or go out too much after work.