My ileostomy is only two months new, and I am taking standard medication at the maximum level prescribed, as well as taking natural psyllium, 1 tablespoon twice a day, and still having trouble with very liquidy output.
Having trouble maintaining nutrient levels and staying hydrated, I've tried Powerade-type drinks, yet I find water is about the best.
Not able to gain weight or muscle mass.
G-Day Bob,
Welcome aboard. An ileostomy is normally more liquid than a colostomy, and I personally prefer it more liquid as it's much easier to empty. I eat a lot of meat, and that makes it more liquid. If you want to bulk it up, you can add bread, potatoes, and also bananas. As for keeping hydrated, water alone is not enough, and you need to add some electrolytes. Do a Google search for hydration; there are lots of things you can add yourself instead of buying them. Keep us up to date and let us know how you're getting on.
Regards, IGGIE
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I've mentioned before that butternut squash soup does it for me. I make homemade carrot soup, too, and that has the same effect. Just the squash or carrots, some broth and some spices. It's a delicious way to do the job!
It is very normal for a new ileostomy to have high-volume liquid output. It will slow down with time. In the meantime, Pedialyte mixed with water is your best bet. It has low sugar, which will help not to increase your output. Some of the higher sugar sports drinks can cause more output. Using foods that thicken output can help. Peanut butter, marshmallows, squash soup, and so on. You can find a list of foods that thicken output if you do a search on Google. My ostomy nurse once told me to keep marshmallows all around the house. LOL. Chin up; this won't last forever. In the meantime, consider nutrition drinks. You may have to try a few different ones before you find one that suits you and doesn't run through you. But there are lots of them out there. Get a high-protein one, and you will start building muscle for sure. And gain a little weight too. I suggest Boost over Ensure, but it really just depends on which one works for you.
Hi there, so I will say that this is the point where your stoma is just coming to full life, your swelling is all gone now, and your body and intestines are getting used to the new route and flow of things. This is the time where you will start to learn about food that will thicken you and how your stoma really works. You have gotten some good suggestions above. Just always remember everybody's body is different; there will be things that thicken you and might not thicken someone else, or stuff that thins you that doesn't thin someone else. We are all wired differently. I will say at this point, since your body is now fully out of surgery and has recovered, be careful how much thickening meds you take so you can know how your stoma really works. And yes, at this point, you are going to flow more because all the swelling with the intestines is gone now and is in full active mode. Mashed potatoes, peanut butter, bread, rolls. Avoid seeds and nuts and raw fruits and veggies, no skins. If it makes you feel more comfortable, they have a list as a guideline for new ostomates you can google. It will also have on the list medications that can cause blockages with an ileo, like hard coatings with a skin casing and capsules and gel pills, along with foods.
In the case of Ileostomies, the body is not taking in all it needs. Due to the faster transit time, nutrients are not all absorbed.
Thanks, Iggie
I'm learning every day and have added some electrolytes to my diet along with more bananas, bread, rice, and lots of yogurt for protein.
I'm also a kidney dialysis patient on hemodialysis three days a week, and that's a balance that the technicians, doctors, and nurses are working with me on.
I'll get there. I was happy to find a site like this.
What standard medications are you taking? You are taking psyllium, which is good for adding bulk. Your ileostomy at 2 months has still not completed adapting to function without a colon. It will eventually absorb more water to compensate for the colon, but it will still be watery. Bananas are good for bulking, but early on, you have to be careful to eat only one ripe one a day and chew very completely — chewing your food until it is mushy is a good thing. Most recommendations are to give yourself 8 - 12 weeks for the ileostomy/small intestine to complete its adaptation. Loperamide is also useful in slowing down the frequency of your outputs, which will also lead to more solid outputs. Finally, in terms of hydration, check out:
https://www.meetanostomate.org/discussion-forum/viewtopic.php?t=33610#263018