Coping with a leaking ileo-anal pouch
Most ileo-anal pouches do not leak stool, but unfortunately a few people do experience problems. This may be a passive seepage of stool during the day, or when you are asleep at night. More unusually, there is difficulty getting to the toilet in time when the pouch is full. This can be a miserable problem as it is uncomfortable and embarrassing.
There are no simple answers to a leaking pouch that work for everybody. It is always worth discussing the problem with your doctors and nurses - they will not know that this is happening unless you tell them.
Diet
Some foods will help to make the stool less liquid and so less likely to leak. See guidelines on choosing a low fibre diet and the slef help section.
Medication
Medication to firm the stool may result in less leakage. A new approach that has been found helpful for people with a pouch, especially at night, is a cream, phenylephrine, that raises the pressure in the anal sphincter. This is still in the develpment stages at present but may be more widely available in the future.
Exercises
Strengthening the anal sphincter ,ay improve symptoms for some people. see the Anal Sphincter Exercises leaflet.
Pouch emptying
Sometimes a problem is caused if the pouch does not empty properley. Various techniques can be used to improve emptying, sometimes using a tube to empty the bowel. You will need to discuss this with your healthcare professional.
Skin care
Pouch contents can be very liquid and acidic, and so quickly cause soreness on the skin. If you are leaking, you will need a good quality barrier cream or film on the skin to prevent this happening.
Products
The anal plug may help a few people with a pouch, but most seem to find it too uncomfortable.
Support
Talking to people with similar problems can often give you tips and ideas that professionals do not mention. The Red Lion Group are a support group for people with ileo-anal pouch, with newsletters and meetings. They can be found at www.redliongroup.org
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