Irritable as H**L

My pouch is very stormy these days, you never know which way the winds are blowing! It has now rejected the whey protein shake mix, that I enjoyed and was relatively easy to mix/buy at Walmart. Now i have to switch to Unjury to get my protein, which is a trip out of my wayto buy it, and comes out of my pocket, instead of the family grocery budget money. I am finding more and more things are being rejected, which were perfectly acceptable a month or so ago. Just wishing it would make up it's mind, it's too moody. Par for the course, right? Staying focussed, al

Yep Al, it is par for the course.  What you tolerate one day you may not tolerate the next!  Use what you need to in order to get that protein in.  Might consider the Isopure Clear (in the glass bottles) or similar product called Protein Ice...these pack in 42 gm protein in a 20 oz bottle.  A little pricey yes, but the protein is a must.   Might just try switching brands to see if that makes a difference, ya never know. Also, instead of Unjury, you might consider Any Whey Unflavored Protein by Optimum Nutrition (ON).  It's whey protein isolate and concentrate.  It's optimized for cooking and can be used in beverages, soups, baking, etc.  It's a bit easier on the pocket book than Unjury is and can be found at GNC and other health food stores as well as on-line.  I use this protein all the time - it mixes great and does not ruin the flavor of your food or drinks. Finally, the other thing I was curious about.  Are you mixing your whey protein from Wal-mart with milk or water?  The reason I ask is it's not uncommon for some lactose intolerance to develop.   This happened to me about 3 weeks in, lasted for about 5 months but eventually went away.   Now I'm fine with milk, but I'm still mixing my protein with water.  So it very well could be your tolerance issues are not with the protein but what you're mixing it with.   Best of luck! Cards Fan "STEP OFF THE SIDELINES AND GET IN THE GAME!"

Thanks Cards Fan, I actually mix it with Lite Soy Milk, so no milk tolerance there, I think it's just the way it is for the pouch, it acts funny at times. For example, haven't been nauseous a lot at the beginning, but lately, everyting seems to upset it...of course, I have lately stayed "down to the dark side of the force", so I'm sure that have something to do with it as well. Doing the Unjury for now, so I can get in my protein drinks, x2 a day, only a little less protein but it might go quicker than the big old tub of whey protein I was getting, which I really liked too. Seems taste buds, and pouch need a 'meeting of the minds' to try to find some sort of dietary compromises. Thanks for your response, Al

Al, What about "food?" Is your pouch kick’in back solids too? For the first year there are always days where one food does fine for a while, Then suddenly it’s completely not tolerated. If the pouch gets irritated by something, It stays "fussy" for a few days too. The reason I ask about the food is that strictures can develop and show up around the 3 to 5 month mark. Any sign of that? (same Protein supplement suggestions as CF above) Best Wishes- Dx

Dex, Only with foods that i shouldn't be eating, have I had problems with, which of course confirms the fact that I need to not be eating those foods to begin with... my co-worker had problems with strictures, so much that she was on a feeding tube for 4 months before they finally removed it what are strictures anyway? al

Stricture? When the opening out of the ‘pouch’ into the intestines (the Stoma) grows scar tissue as it heals and the scar tissue begins growing inward, closing up the opening. The result is too small of a hole on the ‘exit’ end of the pouch. Food goes in, and just sits there and keeps swelling with swallowed spit. Usually comes "gaking" back up. To fix it, they put a thin tube down the esophagus with a little ‘balloon structure’ at the end. (like an Angioplasty for the heart, just for the pouch opening) They inflate the little balloon, and the opening is stretched open. (dilated) It usually takes around 4 treatments in order to stretch the opening back up to the acceptable size. That’s it, in a nutshell… Best Wishes- Dx

Al, I have gotten very minor hunger signals back (at 4 months...lucky me). and I had some pretzels out of the vending machine today at work around 4pm.  i knew I was not going to be able to eat anything decent until 8 pm or so.  BIG MISTAKE taking 40+grams of carbs!  I have been farting all night and not at all easy to live with the gas and cramps.  That will teach me to bring some beef jerky and have it in my desk! I know what you mean about things turning on you, I think this is life with the new pouch for awhile.  Hang in there and keep us posted.

Ken