help. ostomy pain and other problem

• By illeocaregiver
• Reply 3350386
• September 5, 2012 at 6:13 pm
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Patty, Im my husbands caregiver, including his iliostomy. He is a year and three months post surgery. He had one blockage early but none since. A lot of his output is watery. Ive heard people say this is a sign of a blockage, but i dont necessarily buy that. At least in Toms case its because he doesnt have a colon so nothing to absorb excess water, hence watery output. I make sure he gets plenty of salt and water to make up for the loss. He hasnt had back pain or any pain at all post surgery. What a blessing that has been. Have you tried lying on your side with a pillow between your knees to take the pressure off your back? That helps me when my back is acting up. My husband still has his rectum but hasnt said anything about the sensation you describe. If you have your rectum you may have some mucous that needs help passing. Try using a glycerin suppository. I hope everything else is going well and thaat you start feeling better soon. God bless and be well,
Carey

• By debleerl
• Reply 3350595
• September 5, 2012 at 7:30 pm
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A partial blockage will cause all of your symptoms. The feeling that you have to have a bm is called phantom bowel and is normal especially for new ostomates. Your brain doesn't know that a part is missing so it still registers sensation there. Does the right side, next to your stoma feel firm and slightly rounded? Could be you ate something heavy like a baked potato. You are still having output but the roughage can't get past the muscle around your stoma. It's kind of like a hair clog in a drain. The pressure will cause the back pain, and pressure around the stoma and leave you feeling like you have to go. Baked potatoes and squash do this to me. Drink plenty of liquid especially warm tea and water to help the blockage pass. Gently massaging the area to the right of the stoma will also help.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3351685
• September 6, 2012 at 7:51 am
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I have never had any pain associated with my ileostomy but I have had partial blockages, I think. The only way I know is because that's when my output is mostly liquid. As for the feeling of a need to have a bowel movement, that is normal. Deb has it right. It's kind of like if someone has a limb amputated and they feel pain in the amputated limb. Phantom pain. I hope this clears up soon.
Blessings,
Alan

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3351899
• September 6, 2012 at 9:10 am
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Hi Patty,

Apart from all the other advice please check with your Doctor so you can know exactly what you are dealing with.. Do you have a history of back trouble? I have what you describe but that is from a lower back problem not my stoma.

With an ileostomy output can vary from quite liquid to thick porridge depending on what you've been eating so liquid is not necessarily a blockage sign. Do what Deb suggests and also try a hot bath. It's really important to keep hydrated so make sure you are getting enough electrolytes.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3352140
• September 6, 2012 at 10:24 am
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Happy, are there electrolytes in water? How about sports drinks?
Blessings,
Alan

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3352293 · In reply to 3352140 by alan41241
• September 6, 2012 at 11:12 am
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Hello Alan,

No, water has no electrolytes and drinking just water can wash any you have out of the system. Yes, most sports drinks have them but I think they are expensive and too sweet for me. I make my own using the World Health recipe.

3.5 g sodium chloride, (salt)
2.5 g sodium bicarbonate, (not baking soda which usually has flour added)
1.5 g potassium chloride, It is available but if not skip it and eat a banana for the potassium.
20 g glucose

Dissolved in 1 litre of water - I add lime juice cordial. It does not taste great but it's really the most effective first aid I know.

• By pattygail
• Reply 3352329
• September 6, 2012 at 11:22 am
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thank you all i thought the worst case scenerio I will try the warm water and tea and see how it goes thanks all of you

• By pattygail
• Reply 3352453
• September 6, 2012 at 12:00 pm
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what kind of foods of foods do you avoid. i have pain especially after dinner and at nite. the bowel laying on my stoma is another source of pain is there anything to do for that i have stomach bloating all the time have been taking gas x

• By pattygail
• Reply 3352479
• September 6, 2012 at 12:09 pm
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also the doctor has me taking metamucil bulk forming fiber and loperemide anyone with any experience with this could this be a problem and what to do

• By alan41241
• Reply 3352503
• September 6, 2012 at 12:15 pm
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Thanks, Happy. I usually drink Big G sports drink. My dentist tells me it will rot my teeth because of the sugar but I drink it anyway.
Blessings,
Alan

• By debleerl
• Reply 3352633
• September 6, 2012 at 1:00 pm
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Patty,

Your profile says you have an Ileostomy, so I question the "wisdom" of the doctor having you on the metamucil for bulk and the need for a antidiarreal. Please contact an Ostomy nurse and question this. The bulk could be causing the problem. A normal output should be the consistancy of applesauce but can vary from liquid to tomatoe paste depending on what you eat. Things like oatmeal and bananas should come out about the same consistancy as they went in. Anything firmer than that and is accompanied by pain is cause for concern. If you don't have a local ostomy nurse, contact one at Convatec; you can find the number on their website www.convatec.com I am curious to know what she/he says as I have never heard of giving an ileostomy patient metamuceil to add bulk. Also, here's a link to the UOA's ostomy care guides, there is a PDF file there for nutrition and medications that is very beneficial. http://www.ostomy.org/ostomy_info/#diet_nutrition.

Keep us posted,

Debbie

• By alan41241
• Reply 3352747
• September 6, 2012 at 1:50 pm
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My surgeon put me on Medimuceil, too. I had it while still in the hospital mixed with applesauce. I was to continue it for awhile after I returned home. It was for bulk. I'm now on Lomotil, four tablets a day, for bulk. Will be switching to Imodium soon. Same dosage. My ostomy nurse knew about it and approved.
It does seem to help but when my output is liquid I then eat several marshmellows. My output is always changing. First, it's liquid, then the consistancy of applesauce, then much thicker. And the colors.....From dark chocolate to the color of oatmeal. Sometimes orange like a pumpkin.
Blessings,
Alan

• By pattygail
• Reply 3353197
• September 6, 2012 at 4:18 pm
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the problem with it always being liquid is it getting under the bag and the bag coming loose. lots of people i know with ostomies take a thickner but i will call and ask.. i value all information. everyone is different i see as i keep reading the replies to my post. when i take the fiber it keeps the consistency just like applesauce it is never hard the bag running liquid also causes pain to my stoma as i have an inverted stoma it does not stick out so the acidity of the fluid really burns

• By illeocaregiver
• Reply 3353585
• September 6, 2012 at 6:44 pm
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My husband was sent home from hospital on seinna laxative and a a stool softner. Because there is so much liquid in Toms output, i discontinued them without any problem. Tom eats pretty much anything he wants but i have him avoid popcorn and thick skins on veggies and fruits. I give him a dose of Miralax once in a while. He drinks about three quarts of water a day, including electrolyte replacement. I make a replacement using 1/2 cup lemon juice, 1/2 teas. sea salt dissolved in a quart of water. I add this to juice, lime juice, crystal lite for added taste. He also takes a potassium citrate supplement and has a Tum(bicarb) with meals. Our regime is working great, only one blockage in over a year, Praise God. As far as leakage problems, we just try to make sure the output isnt sitting on the his stoma, Izzy too long and empty the bag about every three hours in the daytime and usually about once a night. We have tried many options but keep coming back to what we started with, Convatecs one piece Active Life with the Eakin ring. So far that seems to be the most reliable and long lasting. Its been great to find a routine and appliance that works well and not have to worry about leaks. I sure hope we can all find and maintain our comfort zones and get on with life. God Bless all, be well and happy,
Carey

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3354636
• September 7, 2012 at 5:33 am
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Hi Patty,

AS you say everyone is different and the fact is that some foods like some of us and not others. For example if I have a watery output I can usually cure it by eating really spicy food, not a cure for everyone. I use loperemide only in extreme cases because when I used it for extended periods I got stomach cramps. Actually it works by semi paralysing the intestines so that the natural rhythm is slowed down. I now rely on marshmallow which do just as good a job (for me) but without side effects. I start everyday with a bowl of muesli which is like your fibre. Any kind of fibre absorbs liquid so it's important to drink enough. I's normal to feel tired for quite a time after stopping Chemo and you need to just rest when you need to - don't feel guilty about it. Gas is a problem for most - mainly it's to do with what we eat - partly things like drinking through straws, eating and talking at the same time, even laughing so much one gasps for air. I wish I knew the answer because just like the thickness of my stool it comes and goes sometime without rational explanation. I have a theory (which works on me) that taking the same thing day after day allows your body to get used to it and start to ignore it. I don't bother to take anything but if you feel you need to try switching products - try medicinal charcoal for example - but check the stoma nurse first. I've tried hard to get my self off all medicines and now apart from antihistamine I take nothing and feel better for it.

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3354908
• September 7, 2012 at 8:35 am
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Hi Patty - I have an ileostomy, and every morning I feel like I should have a bowel movement. I use a glycerin suppository to clean out a small amount of mucus, and get quick relief - usually within a half hour. If I don't clear that out I will be uncomfortable all day and lethargic. Sometimes it even produces a little more later in the day, and I just use another suppository. They are easy to use, and do not have any chemicals or medicine in them, so they are perfectly safe to use at any time. Hugs from Marge