diarrhea question

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3413983
• September 28, 2012 at 2:08 pm
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The chunks may well be undigested food. Did you eat something with fiber. Nuts, corn,skins of fruits or veggies and many other fibrous foods do come through as chunks. Obviously if you are in pain or bleeding, check with your doctor, or Ostomy nurse. It also could be medication that went right through you. Sometimes pills do not disolve after stoma surgery, which is why many of us, crush or cut the pills. Don,t panic though this is normal with most of us. Keep us posted.

• By Chriswife
• Reply 3414089
• September 28, 2012 at 2:43 pm
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THank you for the reply. I have a colostomy, so I dont get watery diarrhea often, I am sure it is from the chemo. It was just weird that I was kind constipated and having diarrhea at one time SO I just got my gatorade and drank that but I am sure I will be fine.......i just get a bit nervous sometimes, all of this is new to me:)

Kerri

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3414128
• September 28, 2012 at 2:57 pm
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It really sounds as though your chemo is giving you diahreah and the chunks are food. This sounds pretty normal. I am so sorry that you are going through so much. Please be careful with the gatorade because it has sugar and makes things go faster because Sugar is known to speed things up. I use G2 which is gatorade with less sugar. But it does have fake sugar so you might not want that. However it is really important to drink these electrolyte drinks to avoid dehydration. You can also try Pedialyte for kids. It is more money, but is a stronger dose of electrolytes. I also find eating pretzels with the salt helps. I have not gone through chem,ao and have an ilieostomy. Which is like always having diahreah so keeping those electrolytes high is really important and I am always aware of how crummy I feel when dehydrated. Try to eat protein to keep your strength up too. Can you take imodium (over the counter) to harden things up?

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3414194
• September 28, 2012 at 3:26 pm
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Maybe 1 and a half immodium. Sorry I did not register the fact that you were taking an immodium. Also if diahreah continues, maybe some oatmeal. Very soft though as a binding agent.

• By Chriswife
• Reply 3414350
• September 28, 2012 at 4:25 pm
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Thank you for the suggestions. I took one immodium and that seemed to do the trick so far..lol I also drink G2 the orange kind is the only one I have found tht I like so far.

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3414453 · In reply to 3414350 by Chriswife
• September 28, 2012 at 5:17 pm
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Little by little you will learn how to tackle all of these unpleasant side effects. having some tricks up your sleeve can keep you from getting overwhelmed and depressed. Glad the g2 works for you. I just discoverd the grape G2 which when cold is pretty good. For some reason when I say go to the beach and am perspiring in the summer in florida, (ANd we are talking HOT, Eating pretzels the salt) and the G2 keeps me hydraded . I used to get headaches after the beach and no more. But as I said try to eat protein, meat,fish, chicken for strenghth. Small meals frequently and add some soft fiber. Potato (no skin) The oatmeal. I hope the next few days get you to a better place. Please let me know,

• By Chriswife
• Reply 3414994
• September 28, 2012 at 9:25 pm
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Thankyou, I am actually feeling a bit better! I am doing well with the colostomy and then chemo came along..lol Mentally I am doing great, this is just one more thing that I will have to deal with temporarily and then I will be good to go! I am already planning my post chemo trip with my husband! Cant wait for that!!!!

• By pjs62
• Reply 3415058 · In reply to 3414994 by Chriswife
• September 28, 2012 at 9:47 pm
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Hi Kerri...
glad you're feeling better! Oh the stuff us ostimates need to learn to deal with! lol We just need to take 'one step at a time' to adjust to our new normal.
I was so excited when my hubbs & I took our 1st weekend away after my ostomy surgery! A chance to 'forget' for awhile all we'd been thru! :) We hope for a week long trip next year!!

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3415113
• September 28, 2012 at 10:13 pm
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Hi Kerri,
Something I always have on hand.. in the car.. or back pack.. is Jerky... It has salt.. and protein.. It's good when you feel sluggish and might need protein. I keep it in my tank bag when I'm riding my motorcycle... can grab a piece when ever I need it.
Alacer, the makers of Emer'gen-C also make Electro Mix for electrolyte replacement.. The great thing about it is it has 0 sugar in it.. and 0 calories. It also has no salt in it.. so salt intake should come from another source. This is a powder that comes in a small packet that you mix with plain water. It's easy to keep in your purse/car or anywhere.. just add water.

It will take time to balance out the right mix of imodium and the foods you eat.. but you will get there!!!

Glad you are feeling better!!

Mare

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3415521 · In reply to 3415113 by Mare5785
• September 29, 2012 at 6:50 am
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Hi mare, The beef Jerkie is a great idea! Never thought of that. On your motorcycle. Go mare!

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3415675
• September 29, 2012 at 8:32 am
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Absolutely!! lol.. My friends are very vigilant with my care as well... One of them gave me a cup holder that attaches to the handlebar, so I could make sure to have my G2 gatorade where I could reach it! For the jerky... I open the package and cut the pieces into smaller bite size.. so I don't have to wrestle with it while riding!
Unfortunately, I did not get to ride during this beautiful summer we just had. I had knee surgery to repair meniscus tears on both sides of my left knee.. so riding was out.. : ( Next year.. I'll be back to "normal" and make up for it!

I used to make my own jerky... I prefered turkey to beef. I love the stuff!!! I also have kidney issues and a dietician told me to stop eating so much jerky.. She was mortified with the amount of salt that I consumed. Next time I saw my nephrologist.. he told me.. "I've never told one of my patients to disregard her advice.. but.. go ahead and eat ALL the salt you want. Your blood work shows little to no salt in it!" Because of my short gut syndrome and high output.. I don't absorb the salts... Salt is bad for the kidneys and high blood pressure... but my blood pressure is low.. so it's a non issue.

I would imagine someone with a colostomy would probably want to watch their salt intake.. but levels can be tested from a blood test.

I wish I owned stock in Jerky!!! lol.. Slim jims also!

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3416111
• September 29, 2012 at 11:06 am
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Mare, And you are DRIVING the motorcycle? God Bless you! I also have very low blood pressure and eat all the salt I want. The Jerky is a good idea for a road trip, but I guess not for someone who needs to watch salt intake. I hope your surgery on your leg is a total success and next year you will be biking again.

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3416755
• September 29, 2012 at 3:23 pm
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Yes... Driving the motorcyle.. I bought an 1985 Honda Shadow 500 4 years ago.. It's the same age as my son!! lol.. Good condition, only 24,000 miles on it. I took the state rider education course and received my license at 51 years old!! I love it!! There are several groups that I ride with.. One is a ladies group which has my "old bike" all the way up to a $23,000 Honda GOld Wing trike and a new $26,000 Spyder, which has the two wheels in the front and one in the back.... It's a fun group.. The other group is a mixture of men and women.

Not so sure about the surgery... and the healing has been slow, as I can not take anti inflamatories due to my compromised kidney.. so.. my body has had to absorb all the swelling on it's own.. been a long summer.. One I loved by the pool though.. Just couldn't partake in my favorite past time!

Thanks for your well wishes. My next big feat will be to have work done on my rotator cuff impingement.. Not sure if surgery will be necessary or just PT.. either way. I've been told it will be a long road to get it back to "normal". SO.. even with out my knee surgery.. I still could not ride because of my shoulder. I can barely put deodorant on.. or take a shirt off over my head.. Not save to drive a motorcycle with that.. for myself.. or others around me.

Enjoy your weekend!

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3416884
• September 29, 2012 at 4:18 pm
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Mare, You are such a trooper, I have a strong feeling that you wil be ready by next year to go biking with your friends. My heartfelt wishes for a fast recovery, despite your limitations regarding the anti-inflammatories. Good luck on your shoulder surgery. Are these issues related to crohns? I had uC until my ostomy and seem to recall that you had crohns? My very best girlfriend (and her daughter) have crohns and I am always astounded by some of the difficulties the crohns patients have to go through. hang in there Mare, if anyone can be back on her bike, it is YOU!

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3417136
• September 29, 2012 at 6:32 pm
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Thank you! When and "if" I have to have the surgery.. I'll be putting it in here and asking for prayers for sure!
Thanks for your positive thoughts!!
No.. not issues with crohn's.. Work related injuries.. so I'm out on workmans comp.
Yes.. crohn's disease does effect a lot more than just the bowel.. ; (

• By Chriswife
• Reply 3417293
• September 29, 2012 at 8:13 pm
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I guess my main issue is i dont know how loose everything should be to take the immodium. I don't get crampy or anything, i just get really loose stools sometimes. Is it ok to take it before bed so i dont get loose stools overnight?

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3417403
• September 29, 2012 at 9:18 pm
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Hi Kerri,

You should be able to take the immodium in the evening before going to bed. I usually do.

Good luck!

Mare