Iron Supplements and Thicker Output - Seeking Insights

There was a discussion a while back about iron causing thicker output. I don't remember if anyone said the reason for this... I am wondering, is it that it slows down output and thus gives the small intestine a chance to absorb liquid, or if it is the side effect of constipation? I was given iron supplements that I have been on for about a week and a half, and I have noticed that I do have thicker output but still have plenty of volume. Well, not excessive volume but comparable to previous amounts. Anyone with thoughts on this matter?

Lee

I take iron supplements because of low hemoglobin. Maybe it does thicken things a bit, but does nothing to slow down my output. It's still 9-11 dumps a day. Currently, I am experimenting with Imodium to see if that will slow things.

Daniel

Daniel Imodium helps me. It slows my output down some.

I have Imodium on a PRN basis that goes with how much volume of output I have the day before. Then I have a chart that tells me how much Imodium to take. For example, I have to reach 1,200 cc to take 1 Imodium, and then at 1,500 cc, I take one in the morning and one before dinner, and so on, up to 16 mg of Imodium in a day. If I have output over 2,400 cc, I'm supposed to contact the doctor.

Lee

Hi Daniel, I take a couple of Imodium every day, one after breakfast and one after supper. I'd be dumping 8-10 times a day if I didn't.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I have only one full day under my belt (bag?) so far. If yesterday is any indication, it does seem to help. I only emptied my bag 6 times from midnight to midnight. The problem is that I have a nagging feeling I miscounted and, in about 30 minutes, I will have done my 3rd dump already today (it's 10 am now). That's my breakfast dump, which is usually not a big one. I try to make sure I am running on empty for my morning walk. We will see how today goes.

6 times again yesterday. So, Imodium appears to work as advertised. :-)

Daniel