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So this post might be gross for some of you, and if you are uncomfortable discussing 'poop' then please disregard this post, as it's probably not for you; there you go, you've been warned.

I am 12 years out from my j-pouch surgery, doing fine and healthy, and most of all- happy. 

However, I have some concerns regarding, well...poop.  Which is basically a UC patients main focus when your dealing with the disease...its literally ALL about the poop! Or at least it was for me when I was a little kid.  Let's face it, this is a common ground we can all empathize with and weigh in on, since we've all been there.

So to begin, I am not sure if this is something that is too graphic to discuss publicly in a forum or not, and if so, I apologize.  But I know that I can rely on my fellow J-Pouchers to help give me some honest opinions on their experiences with the subject.  Also I know that I can count on you guys to help share your advice on how to mitigate some of the issues we probably all experience.

Q1.  Does anyone ever have poop envy?  Yeah, it sounds weird.  But I am now with my fiance and have been for about a year, and of course I'm up a couple times a night having to poop because I can just fill my j-pouch filling up and when its time to go- you gotta go.  It frustrates me to NO END having to wake up and physically pull myself out of the nice warm bed with my hubby just to have to poop.  Now again, there are 2 sides to the story:  I could look at it as 'I am grateful that I am able to poop using my J-Pouch rather than an ostomy or have UC for that matter and still be sick'.  Given the option of pooping 2-3 times per night versus being sick, I'll take the J-Pouch poop-fest ANY day (or night in this case).  My question about Poop Envy stems from my fiance's exceptionally perfect digestive system.  He's an Iowa boy- corn fed, good genes, healthy as a horse.  He has about 3 regular solid poops a day.  And I'm so envious of them I actually ask him to let me know 'how things are coming along' haha partially in jest, and partially because I have a severe case of Poop Envy! I yearn for those days (when I was a kid, before UC had completely ravaged my colon) when I could sit down on the potty for a nice relieving poop- I'm talking light a candle, newspaper, (well in this day and age it would be cell phone) and take your time passing a huge turd *(Again, sorry for the crassness and/or vulgarity).  I missed the feeling of actually having my body work properly, and eliminating waste in the way my body originally intended.  I can remember feeling almost 'Empty' afterwards, and would be able to go run, play, etc. and feel...well, for lack of better words, Normal.  I may be the only one, but figured I would throw this out there and see if I have any one concur.   So what are your thoughts?

Q2.  Does anyone take any specific Pro-Biotics that help 'bind' you up and make your J-Pouch poops a little more firm?  I have (being intimately immersed in the gay world) heard of 'Pure for Men' *(Link is here:   https://www.pureformen.com/ )  which is designed for 'Bottoms' I  believe, but curious if any nurses or Doctors or just people in general could weigh in to tell me how it would affect someone with a J-Pouch?  If you have pro-biotic recommendations I would really appreciate it. 

Q3. I have noticed the more physically active I am, the more solid my poops are.  Anyone also have this situation happen to them?  I love to have a week where I run everyday for a couple miles each day, and not only do I sleep better, but my poops are on Fleek like whoa!  Let me rephrase:  "my poops are more solid than normal'' but is still the consistency of thick oatmeal/coffee grinds.

Q4.  Anyone miss the feeling of passing gas?  I mean its gross and disgusting, but I freaking MISS that feeling of farting.  I have not really been able to pass gas without sharting myself, since the j-Pouch surgery.  Most of my gas is eliminated during my bowel movements.  And I've only had a couple times that I've been able to pass ONLY gas rather than poop and gas, without having an accident.  Anyone know what it takes to be able to fart normally again? 

Q5. When you think of it, viewing your poop from a colostomy bag is pretty much the same as viewing poop in the toilet, right?  If so, would it be too graphic to share with others pictures of our bowels somewhere?  Maybe this is a privacy thing, or etiquette, or maybe I just don't know- but I am asking to find out if what my poop looks like is normal- considering.   Now I know and fully understand how gross it is to even think of sharing a 'poop selfie' with someone, I get that. But if anyone understands the reasoning behind asking, its you guys here on the J-Pouch group.  My healthy-colon hubby thinks it just so weird that I would even want to discuss what poop would look like because to him, it's never been something he discussed.  However, I am not really grossed out by anything. 

Again, if I have offended anyone, please forgive me- it is not my intention to do so.  Just seeking some info from my fellow pouchers.

 

 

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Wow, I've never thought about poop in that detail, or even if I have I can't think of putting it down in words. 

1) I envy how all my friends,collegues never have to worry about poops.

2) I took probiotic VSL3# with hardly any visible effect. I currently take 1-1 tsp pysillium husk daily and occasional imodium when I have to stay out.

3) I workout 1 hr weight training and 1/2 hr of meditation in morning. I definitely think my poop's better if I exercise regularly.

4) No issues with gas I can pass it on toilet or while sitting . Only when I am standing I don't attempt to pass it. 

5) Most of the time its formed but not too hard (as it used to be with a colon) and since I had an ostomy for a very short span I'd say with fruits I can see it to mimic how they look. 

I am just happy that I got this surgery done and can do what I've always wanted to do. Life with UC and ostomy have been horrible for me. 

@Mysticobra posted:

Ya.... Dog poop. Lol.

You feed em. They poop. We have to clean it up.

Now that's my poop envy.... Hahaha...

;-)

Speaking of which, the other day, I walked my father's Shih Tzu for him while he dealt with the delivery of a new refrigerator.  Just wondering if anyone else's dog does a little dance over the ground where they poop. My father's dog does. When she finds the "hallowed ground", she does a dance, mostly with her hind legs, shuffling back and forth over the ground, before she stops, raises up her ass and lets the turds fly. Honestly it's kind of amusing to watch, but I have no idea what the psychology is behind it.

Last edited by CTBarrister

Ha ha. There is no where else in the world (well my world anyway) where one could suggest we post poop pictures to compare. I know...what the heck does 'normal' really look like?

Re the dog poo, my poor pup always looks so humiliated pooping in public. She kind of drops her head but raises her eyes and looks up at you. But that could be my projection. I have had humiliating public-poop dreams for years. Even prior to colitis diagnosis.

I love this post.  I definitely have poop envy, I miss the days of feeling normal and being carefree and spontaneous.  I miss the days of being able to fart normally.  I wish I could have just 1 solid poop again.  I wish everyone wouldnt be aware of when i am in the bathroom.  I miss just being able to pee.  I love the look of my husbands cute little perfectly shaped 💩

I used to get embarrassed for the sounds my butt made in the bathroom, but now i just let er rip and I dont care because it feels good hahaa.

I grieve the loss of normalcy on occasion, but there is nothing I can do to change this.  So i accept this is my only life - so im going to live it.  Heck, people in the world are still suffering with IBD and the collitis I once had, and that is definitely worse than my minor daily issues.

After 28 years with this pouch I am still trying to figure out if i can eliminate nightly incontinence.  I can't trust my butt when im out.  I havent been able to achieve the type of poop i want, like the 3 or 4 times daily my surgeon falsely promised before my surgery.

I recently started taking more metamucil with each meal and 1 immodium around 9pm, and it is better, but not perfect.  I prefer slowing things naturally with food and fibre rather than medicines if possible.

Anyways, my thoughts for the day.  Happy pooping to fellow all j-pouchers.

Ps.  Is there a way of changing our username Im not really that frustrated lol.  Cheers!

Last edited by Frustrated

Hey Frustrated. I'm glad you are no so frustrated. I don't know how to change names however. As with all the posts above, I've enjoyed your post.

I agree Metamucil is very helpful, especially when I think I'm going to have a bad night.

i taught my dog to wake me up in I was having any problems in the night. That makes me sleep a lot better, less worry. He's pretty accurate. I first get annoyed he is waking me up then... oh right, good dog. Thank you I'll get up and go to the bathroom before making any mess. This is a nice group. I'm much to embarrassed to tell anyone else I trained my dog to wake me if I'm about to have an accident. Crazy.

About a year ago I started taking Plaquinil as a result of reading an old article about fringe treatments like cipro. It included Plaquinil. My doctor was cool and let me try it. Wow!  I had poops again!  I never thought I would. I will say I sat and admired them a little the first time. Haha  although, like any drug with time, it doesn't seem to work as good (but still way better than I was before) after a while  maybe I need a higher dose.  

The problem was, boy did it hurt when my body had to actually do work pushing things through rather than the usual firehose watery evacuation. Prior to that only suboxone and cipro helped. It didn't make normal poops but it sure helps to slow things. I was able to fly or go on long trips without worry.

I'm still having pains getting used to normal-ish poops. They are formed, but smaller than other people's or dogs perfect poops.

unfortunately, I've been going through hormonal changes. Menopause stinks. Aging stinks. Ugh. I miss when my colon was the only dysfunctional part on my body. Oh well. I'm still alive.

Your dog sounds amazing, no need to be embarrassed, way to go puppers!!

I am also experiencing menopause, never thought I'd wish my period back lol.  I've had terrible hot flashes constantly for the past 2 or 3 years.  Ive found they are worse if I eat a lot of sugar.  Ive reduced my sugar intake lately, and i dont remember the last hot flash....so either it was sugar, or symptoms are finally going away.  Daily exercise helps greatly, especially for my mental health.

I wish i had my younger healthier body back, i should have appreciated it more when I had it.  Getting old brings its own challenges for sure, but better than the alternative.

Keep well and thank you for sharing

I know this is an old post but I’m new to the forum and wanted to offer some of my thoughts and what’s been helpful!



1) yes, so much poop envy. I wish I didn’t have to think about it so much. I love camping and backpacking and my husband can go multiple days without pooping when we’re out in the woods- it’s not always ideal, but it’s better than having to go multiple times a day/night no matter what!



2) I saw someone mentioned VSL#3 probiotic and mentioned it wasn’t helpful. They recently lost a case showing they were not actually using the formula proven in clinical trials to be most helpful. You can now find that through Visbiome, which I do find really helpful. Honestly the most helpful thing I started a couple years ago is Orthospore. I take both religiously but don’t take any prescription meds for GI issues.



https://www.visbiome.com



https://us.fullscript.com/cata...OlZhcmlhbnQtMTEwOTUy



3) I’ve never noticed this but I’ll have to pay more attention. If my poo gets too firm, it eventually is uncomfortable when I’m going as often as I do- there’s definitely a delicate balance!



4) I fart alllllllll the time. I got my j-pouch as a toddler and have had it now for 32 years, so unfortunately I can’t remember how long it took. I have to be careful at times but I can usually tell if it’s safe to just fart or if I need to go to the bathroom. It is definitely a relief to be able to do safely!



5) My consistency tends to be like the oatmeal you described, with visible parts of food depending on what I ate/how well I chewed. One time I freaked out that I had worms and come to find out it was just j-pouch digested quinoa. On the stool consistency chart I’m probably most often a 6, sometimes 5. 7 on bad days or just eating something weird, but I’ve never ever had 1-4, which honestly seems painful if you’re going as often as we have to!

@joymoy posted:

... mentioned VSL#3 probiotic and mentioned it wasn’t helpful. They recently lost a case showing they were not actually using the formula proven in clinical trials to be most helpful."

What a scam.  VSL is expensive and time consuming as you have to keep it cool.  Not only did they not do what they propertied to do they stole time.  What is wrong is people who run these companies.  Just be honest.  It's simple.  That is all they have to do. Errr. Not sure I'd want to give anyone a chance with the 'correct' formula.  Thanks for the information, however.  I just had a jaded take on it.  I'd like to get back all the time I spend on the toilet and related to the toilet.  

What a scam.  VSL is expensive and time consuming as you have to keep it cool.  Not only did they not do what they propertied to do they stole time.  What is wrong is people who run these companies.  Just be honest.  It's simple.  That is all they have to do. Errr. Not sure I'd want to give anyone a chance with the 'correct' formula.  Thanks for the information, however.  I just had a jaded take on it.  I'd like to get back all the time I spend on the toilet and related to the toilet.  

Your frustration and jadedness is totally valid. I’m sorry you were impacted by their fraud. Its already hard to trust you’ll get the help you need even when it seems like everyone means well, but it’s especially disheartening when an entity actively defrauds people who need the help.

I never found probiotics very helpful in the past. Honestly, it may really just be the Orthospore, but I do feel like I can tell if I miss the Visbiome for a few days. Visbiome can be kept at room temp up to 2 weeks if you need to travel with it. Orthospore doesn’t require refrigeration- it’s not cheap either but was super helpful for me. But yeah, I say whatever works best for you and if something doesn’t, don’t waste your precious time and money on it!

@joymoy posted:

I know this is an old post but I’m new to the forum and wanted to offer some of my thoughts and what’s been helpful!



1) yes, so much poop envy. I wish I didn’t have to think about it so much. I love camping and backpacking and my husband can go multiple days without pooping when we’re out in the woods- it’s not always ideal, but it’s better than having to go multiple times a day/night no matter what!



2) I saw someone mentioned VSL#3 probiotic and mentioned it wasn’t helpful. They recently lost a case showing they were not actually using the formula proven in clinical trials to be most helpful. You can now find that through Visbiome, which I do find really helpful. Honestly the most helpful thing I started a couple years ago is Orthospore. I take both religiously but don’t take any prescription meds for GI issues.



https://www.visbiome.com



https://us.fullscript.com/cata...OlZhcmlhbnQtMTEwOTUy



3) I’ve never noticed this but I’ll have to pay more attention. If my poo gets too firm, it eventually is uncomfortable when I’m going as often as I do- there’s definitely a delicate balance!



4) I fart alllllllll the time. I got my j-pouch as a toddler and have had it now for 32 years, so unfortunately I can’t remember how long it took. I have to be careful at times but I can usually tell if it’s safe to just fart or if I need to go to the bathroom. It is definitely a relief to be able to do safely!



5) My consistency tends to be like the oatmeal you described, with visible parts of food depending on what I ate/how well I chewed. One time I freaked out that I had worms and come to find out it was just j-pouch digested quinoa. On the stool consistency chart I’m probably most often a 6, sometimes 5. 7 on bad days or just eating something weird, but I’ve never ever had 1-4, which honestly seems painful if you’re going as often as we have to!

I want to hear more about Orthospore!  Sounds like an interesting and different type of probiotic?  Did someone recommend it for SIBO?  Or is it a preventative?

@Sara Marie posted:

I want to hear more about Orthospore!  Sounds like an interesting and different type of probiotic?  Did someone recommend it for SIBO?  Or is it a preventative?

Great questions! I don’t think it’s technically a probiotic. My functional medicine doctor said it’s helpful for inflammation and he often recommends it for people with Crohn’s, UC, etc. I developed inflammatory arthritis a few years ago and have just been trying to do anything to improve my health, and there is actually a lot of overlap with those new symptoms and GI issues. I wasn’t diagnosed with SIBO but I do have gut dysbiosis, where basically my gut microbiome is not diverse enough. Basically, my doctor wanted to make sure we were supporting my gut as much as possible. I’d say my GI issues have been the most consistent since I started it- I’m better able to notice if specific foods bother me and quickly get back on track if so. Before I could never really figure out what would cause issues or flares, I think bc really anything could. Hope that helps! Honestly, I don’t know all the ins and outs other than it has helped me.

Honestly waking up a few times to go is frustrating and tiring but I’d rather deal with my j-pouch than deal with an ostomy bag again. But issues I have is pain during the movement and I think really is more of a mechanical issue with having a pouch now. The small intestine is just so much more narrower than what I had before. Any idea how to make this better? Please help

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