Dealing with Dehydration After J Pouch Removal Surgery

After having a J pouch for a number of years, it failed and I went back to an ileostomy. Fast forward 18 years later, I decided to have the inactive J pouch removed due to frequent bouts of pouchitis. The surgery was 8 weeks ago - the J pouch was removed, the surgeon spent 90% of his time cleaning up the adhesions, and gave me a new stoma. However, my output has been quite high (2500 ml in a 24-hour period), causing me to become dehydrated. The dehydration has caused me to go to the ER 4 times to receive IV fluids to rehydrate. I'm now in the hospital as the doctors are working to decrease the output. Has anyone experienced constant bouts of dehydration following surgery? Thank you!

G-Day cacanuck4,

I also had a J-Pouch fail after putting up with it for 18 years and now have a great ileostomy. With your output being so high and you getting dehydrated, are you also taking electrolytes with your water and not just water? Too much water and no electrolytes will definitely dehydrate you by washing out your electrolytes.

Keep us up to date; sending good vibes to you.

Regards, IGGIE

You normally hydrate from your large intestine. Did you know that? I didn't.

So, to answer your question, yes, we all suffer from dehydration.

Those of us without a large intestine.

Well, yours, Iggie's, and mine, and about a few dozen folks on here are also missing their colon and fight dehydration on a daily basis. The trick is multiple fluids and electrolytes.

Water alone won't do it. In fact, too much water will wash out all the nutrients you need. And an ileo equates to liquid output. The trick here is to slow it down to receive the benefits of those nutrients.

I'm an ileo for 8 years. Went to the E.R. 2 times ONLY for dehydration. And learned all I know from the good folks here on MAO.

Constant dehydration will lead to chronic kidney disease. Did you know that? I didn't.

So, I piss like a racehorse these days and have slower output because of Imodium tablets. I drink powdered water with "liquid I.V.".

Much has been written on fluid intake here. Go check the forums sections.

You will learn a lot and hopefully stay out of the hospital.

The new normal.

Welcome to life as we know it.

The few...the proud...and wait for it...

...

The stomarines. 👍😁

I agree with iggie. You need electrolytes. Drink sports drinks like Gfit. Low in sugar but with electrolytes. Or get some drop-ins. Drink Pedialyte. Do what you can to keep your electrolytes up. With your output being so high, you might try Imodium. That can help slow down your output and is relatively safe to use. Do what your doctor says, though. They know best. Or should.

That's how I got chronic kidney disease. I got acute kidney injury from dehydration and then got dehydrated many more times, ending up in the hospital, and I developed chronic kidney disease. Now I am in stage 3a chronic kidney disease. Hydration is a pretty serious thing. We all need to pay attention to hydrating and not just with water, but with electrolyte drinks.

My Ostomy Journey: Keyla | Hollister

Only when I had my jejunostomy did I use to take a few meds and injections to slow my output down. It was 20 years ago, if memory serves right. I used to drink about 2 liters of Dioralyte a day and about the same in milk, avoid drinking tea, coffee, fizzy drinks, and just plain water, and fruit juice, as they will make you dehydrate even faster.

Yes, you and Henry come to mind when I hear of CKD.

The sad part is you two never knew it was even possible to get it until you guys got it.

This is why a stern warning about dehydration must exist.

Thanks for your reply. I only drink water with electrolytes, sugar-free sports drinks, and sugar-free instant electrolytes to replenish. I am also on Lomotil and psyllium husk, and I'm currently in the hospital. Output is still high.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I already knew all those things. I've had an ileostomy longer than living without an ileostomy, and I just turned 70 yesterday. I only drink water with electrolytes, sugar-free sports drinks, and sugar-free instant electrolytes to replenish. I am also on Lomotil, psyllium husk, and I'm currently in the hospital. Output is still high.

Yes, I know. When I got it, I was totally surprised. I didn't even know half the time I was dehydrated until it was too late and I was in the hospital. It happened around the time of COVID. A lot of bad things happened to me around that time, like almost dying. But I got my ostomy and I survived. But then I got dehydrated a lot and didn't know why, or how, or anything.

Belated birthday wishes to you.

70 is the new... umm... err.

Whatever age you want it to be.

😁..

You are well educated on the subject of hydration. I wasn't until I joined this group.

Awesome bunch of people.

I have just one question, though.

Do you have SBS? This is short bowel syndrome. Having this is much more complicated.

Some here who do have it take Imodium by the box full. It's due to where they cut your large intestine off from the small.

I was only told this by a member who has it. Very difficult to keep anything inside you.

Spending a birthday or holiday in the hospital really sucks. We all have been there. You keep your chin up. More help on the way. Welcome to the club.