Does the cramping ever stop?

Hey all!

I have been doing a lot better (thanks in part to the help I got here). I was wondering if the cramping and "urgent" feeling before bowel movement every stops, or at least becomes manageable? I just realized that I'm going to go back to work soon, and I stand in front of people all day. I would hate to have to rush out of the room to use the toilet (and I'm still trying to figure out what to do about pooping in public). And I would hate to have crippling stomach cramps while I'm teaching. So does it eventually stop? Have you just permanently limited or eliminated fat from your diet? Have you ever had to get up and excuse yourself quickly to avoid leaving a mud trail?!?!?! 

It sure is supposed to. You might want to see if there's something you're eating or drinking that's not working for you. Some folks are lactose intolerant at first, some are sensitive to gluten. 

--gina

I know that milk and dairy don't agree with me (at least not yet), but I still have cramping early in the morning, and I have this nearly every day before I have a bowel movement. Occasionally I fell it in the middle of the day as well-that's my main fear. Having cramps and urgency at work.

I would be looking closer at dairy than fat for your urgencies.  If you feel you need more time off, have your doc write a note for it.  It took me a good 6 weeks before I even started coming close to feeling like myself.  I took 8 weeks off, total.

I will definitely give his office a call this week. I don't think it's just the dairy though

You're, what, about 8 weeks out? It really should have stopped already. If you can post a typical day's food, maybe we can help you pinpoint the trouble-maker.

And as for fat---most of us eat a lot of it, and some of us can't poop if we don't. (*grin*)

Another idea hit me. Have you started taking your vitamins yet? Sometimes the wrong calcium w/magnesium can upset folks' stomachs. Make sure your calcium is calcium citrate without extra magnesium oxide. Magnesium oxide helps you poop and magnesium citrate helps with calcium absorption and can help firm things up.  Another thing could be sugar alcohols if you're sensitive to them. Anything ending in "tol" such as mannitol.

My doc has me on fiber (clear, non taste, dissolves in anything) a couple of times a day to reduce the number of BM's and to firm them up.  I find that I don't have as much urgency most of the time, now. You may ask your doc about it? 

I'm about 3 1/2 months post-op. At first I was very lactose intolerant, but that doesn't seem to be too bad now. I have regular milk when I go out for tea, but otherwise I use Lactaid milk. Yogurt and cheese seem fine now, as does the occasional milk-based protein shake. However, I still drink mainly whey isolate since it tastes so good and my body reacts to it so well.

Now gluten...that's another story. If I eat bread or anything resembling bread I get bloated and crampy. I don't even try it anymore. When I do get crampy or gassy I just think back to what I ate in the past 12 hours (although it usually affects me in about 4 to 6 hours) and I can easily figure out what set it off.

If I were you I would try no gluten or lactose for a few days and see how that goes. Then, perhaps on a day you will be home, try one or the other and see what happens. It may just be a matter of eating really clean (i.e., very few carbs) on the days that you will be at work standing in front of people all day.

As for pooping in public, I carry a little bottle of just a drop and some M9 deodorizer in my purse. The two combined usually keep anyone in adjoining stalls from passing out.

You'll figure out your new body in no time, and when you do the little things that you might have to give up won't even matter as your pants start falling off your hips (hopefully not at the same time you are leaving a mud trail though...

I remember cramping early on and having to lie down on the sofa it was before my 6 month mark because I was home.  Fat helped me.  I was using milk and omitted the milk from my shake and put in place heavy whipping cream 2 ounces then fill with water and ice and blend.  My BM are more regular.  Early on I also took nexium twice a day no matter what and it helped.  My doc suggested it for the first year but I have not followed that after 6 months I only take it when I need it which is about 2-3 times a months tops.  Plus there is a product I use to put in the toilet 8 gtts and yes it works no one knows it smells as bad as we know it does.  I bought it on amazon.  Try to do every thing that will make you comfortable in the work place even if it is over kill ie generic nexium from costco.  Wake up early try to poop at home.  I know this sounds strange but it worked for me I wore an always pad just in case the first month I worked out of the home.  God forbid something happens you can remove the pad and use some wipes and you are set and no one is the wiser.  Pack some flushable wipes kotex pads and some new underwear and a plastic ziplock bag.  If you do soil yourself to the point you have to toss the underwear if you put it in the ziplock bag and put it in the tra**** will not smell as bad.  Honestly it not as bad as it sounds but it is good to be prepared and not need it then need it and not have it!!!  Hope things go well. 

Donna