Whole pills passing through stoma

• By dollyme (Inactive)
• Reply 3387014
• September 18, 2012 at 9:16 pm
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Cary, I just read it on one of the discussions that the pills that are coated (I think) will go through with the ostomy your husband has. It may be on the discussion by HappyS on supplyments and vitamins Look it up and see. I am sure others will talk about here with you.
Wow this is important for him to have his meds and supplyments and vitamins.
It must be comon for this to happen hon.
God bless you
Dolly

• By illeocaregiver
• Reply 3387587 · In reply to 3387014 by dollyme
• September 19, 2012 at 3:30 am
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Thank you, Dolly for your loving concern, I appreciate you very much. Im sure that it is common. We need to know which pills are safe to crush and which arent. Im checking with our pharmacist. God Bless you also. Be safe and well,
Carey

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3387636
• September 19, 2012 at 4:57 am
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I find it depends on the time of day - normally my stoma is not very active between breakfast and lunch and then pills get absorbed. At other times it can be like a shooting gallery! There are some meds that come in capsules, on the rare occasions I have to take those I take them apart and sprinkle on peanut butter. If the content is liquid I put it in my mouth and hold it until I can feel that the gel is melting - get it wrong and it can be horrible but it's the best way I've found. Be glad for any others.

• By mgmword
• Reply 3387749
• September 19, 2012 at 7:30 am
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Glad to know it's not just me! And I have a colostomy.

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3387824
• September 19, 2012 at 8:07 am
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Good morning mgmword - I had a tooth extracted on Monday, and the dentist had me take an antibiotic an hour before the surgery. I looked at the pills and found that they were gel capsules. Remembering reading the posts here, I called the pharmacist and asked if I could open them and dissolve the amoxicillin in liquid. He said no, that I should call the dentist and have them call in a different prescription - to make a long story short, I would up taking it in the liquid form that they prescribe for children - cherry flavor (yuck).

To all those who have asked - 2 days out I am feeling just fine - no bleeding, no pain - just a feeling like the Grand Canyon is in my mouth! LOL Since I am 80 I rejected his suggestion that he construct a 3 crown bridge ($$$$$$$$) to fill the gap. I had braces to straighten my teeth when I was 71 and sleep with retainers top and bottom, so my teeth will not shift because of the missing tooth.

Hugs from Marge

• By alan41241
• Reply 3387827
• September 19, 2012 at 8:08 am
• Report post

I've never had the problem. I just don't get it. So many problems are written about here and most of them I have never had. Does that make me strange or what?
I have heard that N-SAIDS are notorious for passing through the stoma whole. I understand most time release pills will do that. I can't suggest anything other than what you are doing. I hope it all works out.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Hunt
• Reply 3387837
• September 19, 2012 at 8:12 am
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Liquid gels, capsules, chewables, or patches and liquids work the best.

Time release, or extended release are a waist, they will go through the system before all the medication is released. Four to six hours is what it takes to go through your system if you have a ileostomy on an average. It very s from day to day or even time of day. What you eat or drink can even make a difference.

My Dr. works with me as to what he prescribes, and I ask just in case he forgets about my ileostomy. I have been able to find vitamins and supplements in liquid gels, capsules, or chewables. Most of the time it is doable, but sometimes it can be a challenge.

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3387841
• September 19, 2012 at 8:14 am
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Yup, I posted about pills coming through the stoma, undigested. I had been taking an anti-histimine and saw no results. Then I saw the pill in the bag. My doctor also was surprised when i told him. Same thing happened with "long acting" pills which are coated. Now I either crush the pills, in applesauce which is probably best. Or I cut it in half to expose the medicine and then take both halves. I was reallys surprised at this too since no one had ever mentioned it to me that it could happen. Glad you are aware now and can get the proper benefit from pills!

• By lilymyiley
• Reply 3388340
• September 19, 2012 at 10:48 am
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Your pharmacist is your best friend when it comes to this problem. I too have had lots of different medications come through my ileostomy. One of them I was able to convert to 'sub-lingual' (under the tongue). It tastes gross but it really works.
I agree with all the other posts here regarding long acting, coated, timed release etc. For those of us with an ileostomy, these meds just tend to be a waste of time and money!

• By alan41241
• Reply 3388679
• September 19, 2012 at 12:19 pm
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The only one that seems to work for me is Aleve for arthritis. It is time release and I never see on in my pouch. Apparently, they dissolve like they are supposed to. They don't do much for my arthritis but at least they stay in my system like they should.
Blessings,
Alan

• By RiotGrl82
• Reply 3388731
• September 19, 2012 at 12:36 pm
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I had this problem immediately after my surgery with my antidepressants except I didn't notice it right away because I wasn't too happy looking at the contents in my bag. I quickly became extremely depressed and you can read what happened on my page but long story short I have a pill crusher and I have to grind all my pills before I take them. If I go into the doctor because I am sick I make sure they know I don't absorb pills and see if they have another option available or if a pill is the only answer then I ask if it can be crushed. Hope this helps!

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3388740
• September 19, 2012 at 12:38 pm
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Hi Carey,

Yes, pills can show up in the bag whole and untouched. Any meds which are enteric coated are meant to be absorbed lower in the digestion process.. that is why they are coated, so they pass through the stomach and into the intestines without irritating the stomach. Depending how much small intestine & large intestine is remaining is a key factor.

I have to remind my doctors all the time to give me a liquid,gel or chewable medication, if available.. or one that is quickly digested and absorbed.

Is your husband feeling fine otherwise? He may be having a flare and having more output than normal... or a somach bug.. This just started to happen, where they were being absorbed previously?

An easy way to test to see if his meds will dissolve in his stomach are to put one in a cup with vinegar. This acts very much like our stomach acid. Wait a few minutes to see what happens.. If still pretty much intact.. remove it from the vinegar and place it in a glass with 1.5 teaspoons baking soda, pinch of salt & half cup water... This simulates the mucous in the small intestine. If it does not break down between these two steps.. then the medication will never be absorbed.

I find if there are no liquids available, I will ask the pharmacist to just give me a couple to try before buying the whole prescription until I verify they will actually dissolve. I have also asked them to add to my pharmacy record in their computer, such as an allergy, that Enteric coated meds are not an option.

Pray that there is a simple remedy for this!
Mare

• By Shirl18
• Reply 3389541
• September 19, 2012 at 5:30 pm
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Hi Carey,
I also agree with the comments regarding capsuels, time released and coated anything. I had my iliestomy surgery 4 years ago and have always used vitamins and supplments. I always check with my doctor or the pharmacy regarding absorption of medication. After the first few vitamins came through whole I began my research for powder or liquid. I now am using a powdered vitamin supplment called Eco Drink right now. I mix it in my water and they are very tasty. You can purchase it at Costco if you have one in your area, or try on line. I also use a powered "greens" and "fruit" supplment that I mix in water or a smoothie . You can usually finds all at a good health food store or supplement supply. Since we can no longer eat four servings of fruits and vegetables a day I want to do my best with what I can. Checking with your pharmacy regarding any medication to be crushed is the perfect idea. Good luck, you will figure it out. I love the tips from Mare for testing. I will be trying that. Thanks for the tip Mare !! Hope all goes well.
Shirley

• By illeocaregiver
• Reply 3389682
• September 19, 2012 at 6:19 pm
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Thanks you guys for all the great input (as opposed to output) lol.................I will be doing the testing, Mare. Yes, it just started so im praying that it is just a fluke or as you say, a bug. Otherwise, he seems fine except for some low BP readings. I am watching closely for any other wayward pills. Thank the Lord, Tom seems to be absorbing the other seizure and heart meds. God Bless all,
Carey

• By illeocaregiver
• Reply 3389684
• September 19, 2012 at 6:19 pm
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Thanks you guys for all the great input (as opposed to output) lol.................I will be doing the testing, Mare. Yes, it just started so im praying that it is just a fluke or as you say, a bug. Otherwise, he seems fine except for some low BP readings. I am watching closely for any other wayward pills. Thank the Lord, Tom seems to be absorbing the other seizure and heart meds. God Bless all,
Carey

• By illeocaregiver
• Reply 3389706 · In reply to 3387827 by alan41241
• September 19, 2012 at 6:29 pm
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Alan, No not strange, but the scriptures say we are a peculiar people. LOL Im sure there are plenty of people who believe that about me.
Carey

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3390208
• September 19, 2012 at 10:21 pm
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Great! The test is very interesting.. I had a doctor tell me once that I was crazy when I told him it came out untouched! He said it was not possible!! Guess he didn't know his stuff.. did he??!!

I know that I've felt "off" the past couple of days.. excessive out put... a bit dehydrated... Lost 6 lbs... so.. I'm pushing the fluids.. and frozen Pedialyte pops... Wicked head ache.
I know a couple of other people who have really bad colds.. chest congestion. Tis the time for those bugs to start spreading!

I'll tell you.. I'm not happy about our mid to high 30 degree temps tonight!! brrrr. I refuse to turn the heat on in September!!!

Prayers to you and Tom.

• By herbsgal70
• Reply 3390802
• September 20, 2012 at 7:49 am
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Mare - could you send some of that cold temperature down here? It ranges from the high 80's to the high 90's every day - it has been keeping me off the golf course because I am leary of sweating around the barrier and loosening it. Only once I had a leak on the course, flagged down the ranger to take me back to our car and drove home (only about 1/4 of a mile) remove everything, shower, change, and go back and finish the round! I can't wait for the weather to drop down into the 70's, which may not be until October of November. But then again, that is why all the "snow birds" flock to our area (south Florida) for the winter, clogging up our roads, making restaurant seating difficult, and we can't wait for them to go back north, usually sometime in April. Where are you living? Hugs from Marge

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3391265
• September 20, 2012 at 10:48 am
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Hi Marge... Your weather sounds awesome.. I live in VT.. We had 38 degrees this morning! Time to start covering up what ever veggies are still in the gardens because of frost warnings.. . but.. on the flip side.. we have the most amazing God painted picture ever.. with our foliage!!!

If I could.. I would certainly send you some! I totally understand how you feel about the Snow Birds... We get that here with the Leaf Peepers!! lol.. Only... for not extended periods of time like you do.

I have not been to FL in over 6 years.. I used to like going in February to get away from the cold/snow and get some fresh air and sun! Job changes over those years, do not allow me to go much of anywhere now.. : (

Hope you can get back on the course!!
hugs

• By SuesWoodhues
• Reply 3395443
• September 21, 2012 at 5:41 pm
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Herbsgal70, it sounds like you're not letting a little thing like an ostomy stop you for a minute!!

Illeocaregiver, I think you'll need to be sure any of your husband's physicians prescribe quick dissolving or liquid prescriptions, or better yet, shots.

As we get older or have problems of whatever kind some things don't get absorbed in our intestines properly. For me, I know that is happening with B12. Even with me taking a sublingual B12 daily, I still was drastically deficient. And who knows why I have a Vitamin D deficiency 13 out of 100?? I'm certainly not at risk for that since I'm a native Floridian.

So you know pills aren't dissolving. I wouldn't even worry about the best time of day to take a pill. Just start asking for fast dissolving, liquid, or shots.