Unidentified Objects in Output - Seeking Advice and Similar Experiences

I might be weird, but I use clear pouches so that I can see what is coming out and try to identify things that are not digesting. In recent weeks, I have seen something I just can't identify. It is an object about twice the size of a capsule and it's like the consistency of a gummy bear. Jelly but holds its shape. I have wracked my brain over and over for what this could be. There is nothing that shape that I eat, and it's not a pill. Anyone have any ideas for me? Similar experience? I am not worried because it is coming out (not getting stuck in there), but I would like to figure out what it is.

Also, lately "Marvin" (my stoma) has been spitting out something that looks like flour. It comes out like a dry powder if I break a piece apart (through the bag not in my hand). I am wondering what that could be too. The only thing I can think it could be is the magnesium pills that I have started taking this past week (doctor recommended). It is a capsule with white powder in it. But once the capsule dissolved, wouldn't the powder get wet and be absorbed, not come out as powder?

Lee

Hi Lee,

I used to use clear bags too... and for the same reason you do. Once you understand what's happening and build up confidence that everything is normal, you won't care to look. I switched for that reason... and I didn't want to see the expression on people's faces when they saw my bag and realized what was in it. Most folks won't figure out what it's for if they can't see what's in it... and I like it that way.

The jelly thing I'm not sure of... as lots of things swell and get bigger when they absorb moisture. But the flour is an undissolved pill you took. Probably something in a capsule, designed to dissolve later in your bowel... that isn't there anymore. Good fun, eh?

;O)

Not a gummy bear?

Is the capsule made from gelatin?

Hi Lee, is that new magnesium capsule time-released? We can't do those anymore, they come out whole. I've had that same thing happen....

I used clear bags early on just because I was unaware of my options. Now I use an opaque bag with a viewing window that allows me to center the opening around my stoma on bag change day. I can also see my output if I want or need to through that window, which was a very cool thing when I had to swallow a pill cam. It came out blinking into my bag!

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

The white powder is definitely magnesium. I take magnesium tablets too, and since my ileostomy, I've started chewing them instead of just swallowing, as they were coming out almost whole. I have some supplements, i.e., a large multivitamin tablet that seems to dissolve just fine, so I just swallow it, but the magnesium, which is much smaller, doesn't dissolve.

Terry

I think I have figured out what the long gummy bear thing is. I think it is my fish oil pill. I am not positive, but it certainly could be. I have all kinds of trouble with pills coming out. I do think the powder is magnesium. After thinking it over and checking the tablet, I think that is the only white powder it can be. What I don't know is, does that mean no magnesium is being digested? If so, then is there any point in taking it?

Lee

It's not a gummy bear, although if I ate a gummy bear it would probably come out looking like a half-chewed gummy bear.

Lee

I am not sure if it's made of gelatin, but the capsule part doesn't come out with the powder. Just the powder comes out.

Lee

My magnesium tablets are huge! I wish I could find smaller ones. I tried gummies, but they raised my sugar too high because that was basically what they were - sugar, and I would have to have taken 6 gummies to make the 400mg dose.

Lee

Just try chewing them. They don't even taste that bad.

Terry

My doctor ended up having me get liquid magnesium and liquid fish oil. The fish oil doesn't taste so bad because it is lemon flavored. The magnesium tastes awful. My mom keeps telling me magnesium causes diarrhea but I keep telling her "How would I know?" LOL (My output is nearly always liquidy.)

Lee

Some meds and vitamin-type meds like fish oil, etc., come in liquid forms. I understand that ileostomates absorb liquid meds better. My doc gave me liquid erythromycin in the hospital due to.

Some meds and vitamin type meds like fish oil etc come in liquid forms. I understand that ileostomates absorb liquid meds better. My doc gave me liquid erythromycin in the hospital due to.

Some meds and vitamin type meds like fish oil etc come in liquid forms. I understand that ileostomates absorb liquid meds better. My doc gave me liquid erythromycin in the hospital due to.

Yeah, I found them in liquid, but of course my insurance doesn't cover them. They are pricey too. $39 for a small bottle of fish oil and $29 for liquid magnesium. I went ahead and bought them though and am using them.

Lee