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I always got the feeling that I couldn't empty out my pouch completely and would strain quite a bit.  However, when I was at a friend's house I tried out a "Squatty potty," which is basically a sort of modified foot stool that lets you use a Western toilet in a squatting position.  The idea is that the puborectalis muscle, an important muscle for continence, is able to fully relax only in a squat, so sitting on a Western toilet can lead to incomplete emptying of your colon (or pouch, in our case!).

 

Emptying my pouch in a squatting position completely ended the straining and "full feeling" for me, and I use the restroom much less frequently now.

 

Although I ended up buying a squatty potty and couldn't be happier, I don't really think you need to buy one; I bet you could easily improvise with one or two footstools, or even by mimicking a "squat" position as best you can by putting your feet up.

 

I hope this helps someone!  Anyone else have success using a similar method?

 

P.S. Their commercial is pretty funny, too.

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As far as emptying completely, one tip I got from my surgeon's office and one I figured out on my own.

 

My surgeon's office told me if I feel like I have not completely emptied, to stand up from the toilet, and bend forward at a 90 degree angle. while pressing firmly on the abdomen, and then sit down again on the toilet and resume moderate straining.

 

On my own, I figured out a technique that works even better.  While seated on the commode, I contort myself to the left- leaning left as far as is possible and comfortable- and simultaneously strain (moderately- do not overstrain).  I have found that when I do this, things often come out in a gush.  I would suggest trying both the left-leaning and right-leaning contortions and see if this works.

Last edited by CTBarrister
From what I understand we are not supposed to strain to get it out .  I find the leaning to the left does it too.
But I strain too much.  Seems like I only partially MT no matter what because I can feel the urge... Go.... And make three steps away from the toilet and have to turn around and do it again.  This will repeat sometimes all day.
So I know the is not right.  I leak afterwards.  All day. 
I have constant urges all night that keeps me awake and if I do fall asleep the relaxing of it all makes a mess there.
Two weeks from now I hope to get back somewhat normal because I am having it taken out and going to the permanent ileosomy.  Two years of this is enough.  Too many times over this period where it would have been so much easier to have a bag and not strain to either hold it or get it to come out. 
Richard.

I learned that raising the knees up even just a little helped me even when I had colitis. I, also, learned that a twist to the torso one direction or the other helped. Finally, I am  very much aware that my abdominal wall is compromised. After 2 kids and surgery that did the final destruction to that very important muscle group that aids in bowel function and stability, applying external pressure helps. It, also, helps with urinary voiding, another problem I have had. So I do pretty much all the same things that are mentioned here. Most of the time I am successful at emptying completely. 

One thing not mentioned here is add time to relax. I bring a book magazine or catalogue. I travel a lot so even in the airport I will plan on a session of maybe 10 minutes if I can with games on my phone. Like magic I get results. 

Richard-

 

I am using the word "strain" broadly to refer to any muscular activity designed to get the stool to come out of the pouch.  You are correct that one should not strain too hard- it will cause hemorrhoids and other problems.  In my prior post "strain" should be interpreted to mean moderate and not strenuous pressure.  I modified my post accordingly.

Last edited by CTBarrister

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