It has become customary in our culture to eat our largest meal for dinner. Furthermore, with busy work schedules, the evening meal may be taken later at night than the traditional 5 p.m. time. For patients troubled with nighttime bowel movements, trying to eat their largest meal at lunchtime may help. The smaller the meal is during the evening, the less amount of waste to fill the pouch at night. Additionally, eating as early as possible will also help decrease the need to get up at night. Avoidance of bedtime snacks and carbonated beverages during the evenings also helps decrease the need to get up at night.
Some people are sensitive to certain foods, which may increase the frequency of bowel movements. The usual culprits are fried fatty foods and milk and milk products. Eliminating these foods or others which you may be sensitive to, may help decrease the number of stools at night. Even eliminating them only from your evening may be all that is needed to help.
Medications may be important to help decrease bowel movements during the time of sleeping. Lomotil and/or Imodium are the most common. Used under the supervision of your doctor, they are usually taken one half hour prior to the evening meal and/or prior to going to bed. The amount varies according to how well it works, but two pills can be taken four times daily for a maximum of eight pills daily. There are also other medications, which may be used if Lomotil and Imodium do not help, but they all need to be used under the guidance of a doctor.
Even though life after pelvic pouch surgery is far from perfect, coping mechanisms are available to help with problems areas. Make a list of concerns and be sure to discuss them with your doctor, Enterostomal Nurse or dietician.
