when does frequency go down?

I am ten years out and still go 15 to 24 times a day. I live on Paregoric,Lomoti,Lopremide etc. I think some Pouches work better than others and I am with one that does not work well. Doesnt matter much what I eat either.Of course some things hurt and cause more activity than others.

first off nothing is written in stone on that issue..but you generally know where you are within a year i think..the 4 to 8 times is usually when it works out really well which is a majority of the time..most of us on the site usually fall into the groups of having various difficulties or less than stellar results from operation..but its not unusual to be at 15 or 2o times after operation for a time..

just a note if my only issue was i went a lot that would be improvement!in addition i go probably more than 8 times in 24 hours..and most often its at later part of day..

rebe

I have to pee more than I have to empty my pouch so while I go to the bathroom more often.. I'd go that much with a colon so it is what it is!

have had my pouch for 25 years now. I go between 3 and 5 times a day depending on what I have eaten...

I have been three years and just don't count how many times any more. I go when I have to go....and for me thats more the high end than the low...

I'm the same as JenniferG, I have to pee more than I usually have to empty my pouch, tho I probably empty around 6-8 times during the day and 1-2 times at night. (thats going to bed around 9:15 and getting up around 6) I still take 1 1/2 immodium a day and eat around 1 fiber cookie a day, but not always consistent. Tried not to take immodium, but then I go more.

As everyone has already stated, every pouch/person is different. The 4-8 per day the surgeons quote is simply an "average." Are you having pain/butt burn/frequency, or problems emptying when you do go? These are the things that can be problematic, not necessarily the number of times per day. I have had my pouch for 10 years, and I think it took at least a year before I had any sort of consistency in terms of how many times per day (which finally averaged 4-6/day). I am currently on takedown #2, after a fistula repair, and am back to 10-12 times per day. I am only 3 weeks out and have just started taking immodium, which has helped. Do you have objections to taking lomotil/immodium? If it helps, it should not be an issue to be on in the long-term. There is no harm on relying on this, and slowly stepping down from the # of doses as your pouch matures.

Best of luck!

Colleen

thanks everyone for replying! i think i would be ok with frequency of 10/day as long as it doesn't hurt! it hurts and my butt is so sore up inside. i use calmoseptine, ILEX each time! now i have been trying sitz baths and from suggestion - a bidet! it greatly helps... BUT my anus itself is so sore still and is literally THROBBING for an hour after each BM. if it was "quick and go!" BM, then the frequency wouldn't be so bothersome. BUT because there is pain and soreness, even going 5x is no fun!! Does this get better with time? I can feel throbbing now in my anus!


colleen2001 - u are so brave to have 2 takedowns! ur right about taking immodium. i have been taking them once in a while, hoping my body will "adjust" and learn with time on its own, but i think it's a good idea so i don't feel so trapped at home!

Hi fq,
I know EXACTLY how you feel in terms of the throbbing rectal/anal pain. I actually just spoke to the nurse about this same issue on Monday. She basically told me that my system is in overdrive right now. I had gone off the pain meds (which slow things down considerably) and had not started to take any immodium yet for fear of blockages (as I was still a bit swollen from takedown). She suggested I begin taking immodium 1/2 hour before each meal. She also refilled my pain med script (vicodin), which I am fine on if I take it in moderation. Things have already started to get better. I go less, so there is less irritation/inflammation in the area. The goal is to slow it down enough to get to a point where I can start stepping down the pain meds once again. It is a process, but patience, persistence, and the right mix of meds and advice can go a long way.

I would suggest you call and talk to someone in your surgeons office. The soaks in the tub do help, but that is only a temporary measure. As are the creams. You need to get the inflammation, caused by going so much, to subside so you can heal. Also, it might be wise to rule out any other issue that could be going on, such as a stricture. I have never had one, but know they can be very troublesome judging from posts on this site.

Hope you feel better soon!

Colleen