Reversal

hi everyone, 

i had my ileostomy reversal just on Tuesday.  The bm's started today along with all of the associated aggravation.  My question is, when did you start taking either Imodium or Metamucil?

thanks!

Hello,

I have been reversed for almost 5 yrs on Oct. 12. I think it all depends on where your anastomosis (connection) was and how low and how much they took from your gut. My tumor was in my mid rectum so I lost 4" from my rectum and about 7" from my sigmoid colon. I still have to take Miralax twice a day to just help me go and I still have a lot of nerve rectal pain in my bum occassionally. I am planning on seeing a colorectal specialist as I thought it would've cleared up by now but it has not...it's gotten better over the years but I still struggle. I took Imodium for a long time and I started it right away, as it was I had 15-20 BM's a day with it still. Now "normal" for me is 5-10 BM's a day..

Hello,

My colostomy was reversed a year and a half ago (that can't be right, my my.) Anyway, I had read to have Imodium handy from the get go and plan on camping out in the bathroom but my family sort of took it away as my original problem was a bowel blockage and it scared them. 

I took stool softeners and miralax regularly until I started feeling soiled all the time because my stool was so soft I couldn't control it in between.

Since then I don't use anything regularly and I'm back to my irritable bowel symptoms of not going for days then having a stomach ache and blowing up. 

I try not to use Imodium (to extremes) and I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. I also try not to worry how long in between my bums are but after all that's what got me in trouble. 

I admit I have been constipated enuf to feel the bodily symptoms so I keep emergency supplies for it. I even have some bowel "prep" to use if I get really bad and enemas too, though I haven't had to go that far. 

Its worrisome especially since I've found another hernia. I just don't want to go under the knife again. It's amazing to me how many "voluntary" surgeries I had. I remember the day of each surgery and how I felt waiting. Aargh!!

A perfect bowel would be so great! And I'm at a point in life when all is as comfortable calm as I could wish for. Oh well.....

Charlotte

Hello Charlotte,

i really needed the Imodium on the weekend, now I'm stopped up.  I haven't really added much in the way of fruits and veggies to my diet because I was worried about the dreaded diarrhea .  I don't really have anyone else to discuss things with here, besides this forum.  I will add some now, since I can barely have a reasonable BM.

 

thanks for your comments!

Nancy

My colon/rectal specialist said to not use imodium as it will stop you up, the Miralax will keep you regular without hurting you or getting used to it. He said it is easy in and out it does not stay in your system long enough to hurt you. The nerve pain for me is the worst and at 5 yrs out it's still rough. They removed almost all of my rectum hence the more problems that I am having. Good luck to you....blessings!

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hello Just Reversed, I’m sorry I’m not on here very much anymore but I intend to tag along on the site however infrequent I am because I’m happily😄”doing” things again but don’t want to lose sight of the special “friends” I made through my ordeal. Yes, you are right   This site helped me through it all. 

Hello Latina63,

Youre 100% eight but I can’t seem to get it right and must use the 2 products when I have to. I am right now experiencing a pain in my side from taking Imodium. I think it’s from a hard stool passing. 

U are my last local watermelon for the season. I literally live on watermelon in the summer. Ur was overripe but I ate it anyway and the resulting stomach aches reminded me no to do it again!

im guilty of using many of the products as I need to but it is a juggling act for me as I learn how to stay bowelly well lol. 

Love having my life back. Thank the Lird and Meet an Ostimate. 

Charlotte