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Dear all,

For the past few weeks I have struggling to empty my pouch in one single interval. it requires regular little trips to the lavatory with little excretion each time. consistency is runny and not hard. it does sometimes empty more efficiently which gives great relief but I just wish It were way more often.

I suspect it may be due to spams of the small intestine- I am taking peppermint oil capsules daily and a probiotic supplement of VSL#3, 3 times a day. Before this I would still use the lavatory often but it would still empty a higher load.

Any advice and guidance on this will be much appreciated as it's rather uncomfortable when I feel my belly cramped and bloated.

Many thanks to you all

Mary T

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There’s a big difference between a full pouch that can’t be completely emptied vs. a pouch with a small volume of stool accompanied by a feeling of fullness from another location. It can be hard to tell these apart, but the difference is important. What happens if you delay a bathroom trip for a while (at least an hour or two)? Did this new problem start after you started one of your supplements (peppermint or VSL), or fairly recently?

Last edited by Scott F

Dear Scott,

Many thanks for your reply and apologies for the delay as I am from the United Kingdom.

of course the difference is hard to tell. The feeling I get is when I empty by pouch I don’t feel completely relieved I just wish more would come out and my belly cramps and makes noises. I have been taking VSL3 for years now, and have been taking peppermint capsules intermittently for years also so I don’t think they’re the cause  

Another issue is orally I can’t take many medications- since my surgery oral medication tend to almost always give me nasty side effects. Even my iron supplements I take via infusion.

do you reckon its pouchitis, diarrhoea or abdominal spasms? Very sorry to burden you and thanks again for your kind reply  

best wishes



Mary T

Hello Mary T,

There’s a medication that relieves bowel spasms called Buscopan (hyoscine butylbromide). You could try a small dose and see whether it helps your symptoms.

It is taken as an oral medication usually, although in hospital it is sometimes given as an injection. You mention that you don’t tolerate oral medications well, so I’m not sure whether you could try it.

I don’t think it is meant for long-term use, and please check with your doctor and read the patient info sheet carefully before trying it.

If it is suitable, maybe it can be a way to check whether the problem is spasms or not.

I take it very occasionally for painful spasms.

It does have one side effect that I’ve noticed, which is making your mouth dry on the night it is taken, but this goes away the next day.

Regards,
Sarah

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