Ideal Fluid Intake for Colostomy Patients

Hello again, everyone!
I had so much great feedback from my first question, I thought I would ask one more.

Eight weeks into being new to colostomy, things have been going very well, to be honest, actually a lot better than I anticipated for an elective surgery. Yes, I did choose this! I had an injury to my spinal cord at the C4 level in 2008. If anyone knows anything about spinal cord injuries, they know about bladder and bowel issues! My bladder is under control, which I can deal with! The bowel has been a thorn in my side for many years, so after about a year and a half of research and a lot of thinking, I talked to a bunch of doctors and then a surgeon and went through with it! It's been a life changer for me so far! Now the reason for the question: I have a serious problem drinking water and other fluids to excess! Everyone says you have to drink 2 1/2 L per day. To my US friends, that's like over half a gallon! That's a lot of fluid. I get nauseous!!! I have not had any problem with output. The consistency is quite soft, almost liquidy at points for being a colostomy, not an ileostomy! The portion of the colon was the upper descending, quite a ways up from the sigmoid colon, if I'm using the word correctly? Anyway, I just wanted to find out what people's input was on how much fluid one really has to consume to stay hydrated. I'm really trying here, but some days it's really hard!! I've tried water, sports drinks, milk, and chocolate milk. I can get close to 2 L a day; is this adequate? I know the theory is when eating to chew, chew, chew, and then chew some more 😂. Please, any insight would be much appreciated! And sorry for rambling; I use voice to text, so the grammar isn't always correct!

Thanks, Cameron

Hi C,

The 2.5 liters is an estimate, but not everyone needs anywhere near that to stay hydrated. It just depends on how much water your cells need throughout the day and how much you perspire. The easiest way to tell how much you should be drinking is to see how well you're hydrated. First, look at the color of your pee; it's really the best indicator. Clear is ideal, but a slightly yellow or tinge of straw-colored urine is fine. If it's any darker than that, you need more fluids. The second way is the skin pinch test. You can do this during the day when you don't have to pee. Simply take your index finger and thumb from one hand and pinch the skin on the back of your other hand and pull it up. Then let it go, and if it snaps back instantly, you're fully hydrated. If it lingers a bit, drink more. It's really that simple.

Now, if you find you're needing to hydrate more often most of the time, then you should probably check your urine volume over 24 hours. Meaning, record how much you drink during a 24 hr period and also measure how much you pee in that same time. I don't recall the ratios offhand, but an average person should be peeing at least 1.5 liters in 24 hours. If not, your kidneys are being stressed and that usually doesn't end well.

Hope this helps!

;O)

My doctor told me to drink at least four bottles of water a day. I can manage two, maybe three. He also told me to leave bottles around the house and sip when I see the bottle.

My tiny baby puppy loved that idea. He stole the bottles and crushed them.

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Yes, my dog seems to love destroying plastic bottles... after she removes the cap by twisting it off!

;O)

I had a dog that did that. She would take any plastic bottle, run away with it, and if you were outside, you could put your bottle down. She would watch and wait, then sneak it without you knowing. She had a spot where she would hide them all, in a hole she dug, and some she would bury. Needless to say, when we moved, we found her stash.

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hi there

Pretty much what Bob said, although you could add a 1/4 teaspoon of quality salt to any litre you drink.

Hi Cameron, like others said, everyone is different in size and activity. A petite woman wouldn't need 2 liters of fluid, but a football lineman might need 3. As Bob said, your urine is the best indicator. I have found over the 30-some years of having an ostomy that if I drink a variety and not just water or just sports drinks, I am able to stay hydrated.

What Ron said is true... because although your bowels absorb liquids, different areas absorb different concentrations of those liquids. So what you eat, when you eat, when you drink, and what you drink all determine what is absorbed where. It's practically impossible to predict what the concentration of liquid is in any part of your bowel (trust me, I've tried), so it only makes sense that when everything mixes in your stomach and some is slowed down while being absorbed in your bowels and some is not... different liquids, when combined with your stomach contents, will be absorbed in different locations. So play the odds and try different things to drink during the day. If you limit your liquid intake to around 4 oz when you drink, you'll really be able to absorb more than if you chugged a whole can or bottle of something. Not always easy to do when you're thirsty... but it does work. Really good insight by Ron!

;O)

You have such a cute puppy. I am supposed to take a bottle of water with me everywhere I go. And have several placed around the house. No puppy to get them though so I'm safe. LOL

I was told to fill up a 32oz water bottle twice. But I also have stage 3 CKD, so I need to drink because of that too. But I think if I get one 32oz bottle then I am doing good. I am trying to add milk into the mix and chocolate milk to encourage drinking. As well as Gfit with water mixed. So my water can have flavor. Plus electrolytes. It's not just a matter of water alone; you need electrolytes to replace what your ostomy doesn't absorb. Not sure if it's the same for a colostomy, but definitely for me, I have an ileostomy.

The large intestine is what absorbs water; it's also where the stool gets its form and becomes solid, and the small intestine absorbs nutrients. This is why you can live without the large intestine, but you can't live without the small intestine. Ileostomates can also have a hard time absorbing nutrients, which is why they have a hard time staying hydrated. We have to find the right consistency to help absorb water, to stay hydrated and healthy.

Hey, I had a year and 10 months living with a colostomy. My past experience can provide some comfort in how you are able to manage your ostomy health and moisture. Set a regular time to drink water, coffee, tea, or ginger ale, ideally every 2 hours. The key is maintaining colon movement. You are not limited to or required to increase your drink volume; it's totally up to you.
1 cup, or 100cc or more. Also, if you are more active, then dry lips and mouth will tell you to drink more. Hydration also helps with mouth and tongue health.
After 8pm, no water intake for a better night's sleep.
These are my ways to maintain a good stoma.
Best! From Vancouver

Hi Cam,

 Don't forget that you can also EAT your way to hydration as well.  Most fruits and veggies are more than 90% water!  Be careful with the insoluble fiber, but don't fear it.  You may be able to thicken up your output and increase your hydration at the same time with F&V's.  Win-win!

;O)