Skip to main content

My husband is going on 3 months post take down and has not gotten any better. Since his take down surgery he has had a very difficult time emptying while being seated on the toilet. It's almost impossible. The only way to get the job done is to strain and that is very painful. He has found that standing up in the shower is the only way to really empty his jpouch. He also has severe gas pain and debilitating rectal spasms that are daily occurrences. He has had a CT scan and MRI and 3 weeks ago the surgeon dilated him in hopes that it would help but it has not. The surgeon doesn't seem to know what is causing his spasms and inability to defecate on the toilet. He is taking oxycodone for the pain, bentyl, canasa suppositories, gas x, tums, beano, and ibuprofen. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could be wrong or anything to help him? I feel so bad for him. He tries to work and do daily tasks but sometimes the pain is just too severe.

Please help!
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Some random thoughts. . .been awhile since my takedown.

I think the oxycodone can make it difficult to pass stool from your pouch. . .in fact, I vaguely recall being told that any narcotic/pain killer can cause issues. I would not recommend stopping the pain killer, just be aware it could be causing issues.

Next up would be diet. What is he eating? Have you tried going back to a simple diet (white rice or similar) and slowly add foods back in? The gas pain sounds to me like issues with food. If he's a big red meat eater, might cut that out for awhile. Also chew chew chew!!

Straining can cause complications, so maybe have him try the toilet dance. . .I think others are more clever in the naming. . .where you shift forward, backwards, lean to the side, etc.

If you live in one of the states that allows medical marijuana, that is another option. For me, it stops the rectal spasms and cramping.

Is he actually emptying his pouch in the shower or does he just feel better? I ask b/c maybe he feels like he needs to go but doesn't really have anything to expel. . .pouchitis?

Lastly, stay away from immodium or anything that might slow your system down and consider adding fiber, a little at a time, to bulk up the stool and maybe make it easier to pass.



3 months is still pretty early from the surgeries. . .hopefully, with a little more time and change in diet, things will work themselves out (pun!).
I'm so sorry your husband is going through this. I know how terrible it is, as I am going through the same thing at the moment, only I'm at two months out and this is my second takedown, so I know it isn't "normal."

Like your husband, I also find standing up in the shower to be one of the only ways to empty. Tap water enemas also provide relief. Pain killers can slow things down, but, at least in my situation, I know pain killers are not the ultimate problem, since I don't really take them.

Based on what I've read, it could be pelvic floor dysfunction, which is treated via physical therapy and biofeedback. Otherwise, I have no idea.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but I just wanted to let you know that your husband is not the only one going through this. Best of luck.
Thanks for all your suggestions and replies. To answer some questions he does have to stand in the shower to defecate. He occasionally has to go to the bathroom at work on the toilet and he can do that but its very difficult. He has to strain and its painful. He also doesn't empty completely when he tries to use the toilet. I don't think the pain meds are an issue because he only takes them on occasion. His spasms seem to be getting better. They are not happening as frequently. Our main concern at this point is his difficulty using the toilet. I worry that something is wrong. Is this normal? We are now 4 months post op. We have an appointment Thursday with the surgeon to discuss biofeedback and a possible defogram which was suggested in previous posts. I just wish we knew if this was something that needs to be fixed or something that will work itself out in time.

Add Reply

Post
Copyright © 2019 The J-Pouch Group. All rights reserved.
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×