Sudden Change in Colostomy Output After Surgery

Hi there. I had a colostomy done on Dec 2 due to a severe case of diverticulitis. I've been home for almost a month and had no issues until recently, except for some real bad back pain. My output was pretty good and regular, except in the last couple of days it has slowed down a lot. I have no pain, and I'm not vomiting or have a fever. I've been drinking plenty of water. I do take Ozempic for my diabetes and read that this could cause constipation. I've taken some laxatives and have had some output, but I see it's more solid and less than normal. I really don't want to go back to the hospital. Please give me some advice.

Hello sarje79.
Thank you for sharing your concerns for us to comment upon.
Most of us on here are not medically trained so our contributions are generally derived from experience rather than specific expertise.  
One month seems to be relatively no time at all for things to have settled down and from your description it sounds as if you are getting to grips with the whole affair. Anxiety can also cause constipation so be aware that worrying can make things worse than they might otherwise be. 
With a colostomy it is not uncommon to have harder stools as the output goes through a longer process of dehydration than with an ileostomy. 
I sometimes go a couple of days before any significant output but I don't worry about it unless there are accompanying signs and symptoms such as the ones you describe (as not having). 
Having 'some' output is an indication that you don't have a blockage and most of the things you are doing seem to be appropriate so,  personally, I would not rush to seek medical help.

The more things that happen to you on this journey, the more you will have to look back upon to help you decide whether or not it is important enough to seek medical assistance/advice.
However, the general feeling from past posts is that if you are concerned/ worried about 'anything', then it will not hurt to contact a stoma nurse to discuss your concerns. I have found that they are very helpful, knowledgeable and willing to listen, especially to people who are new to the game.
I hope that a few more people will contribute their views so that you get a more comprehensive picture of what people go through in those early phases of having a stoma. 
Here's wishing you a relatively uneventful journey.
Best wishes

Bill 

As Bill said, it's early days for you. If you are on a soft foods or low residue diet, this can contribute to constipation and reduced output. I was told to stay on that diet for 6 weeks.

After the 6 weeks, you can start slowly adding back fiber. That will move things along better.

You know the warning signs of trouble, so watch for those. You should check with your doctor about adding Metamucil or similar. That's not something I'd do this early without medical OK.

Keep pushing fluids. 

Hey there,

I had this happen early on after my emergency colostomy. I was worried I had strangled my stoma by cutting the opening too small. I called a stoma nurse who put my fears to rest. Your bowels do not move all the time and if you are constipated that could be a factor too. It might give you peace of mind to call your surgeon’s office and talk to a stoma nurse. I know it helped me. Let us know how it’s going. 

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hello,

I have a colostomy, 2 years post op.  My output varies.  Some days I empty my bag twice or three times.  Then I get no output for 2 days.  I never have had pain or fever.   It's the way my stoma works.  I used to get all riled up about it.  But have learned to live with this little beast on my abdomen.

Agree with all the above…. Ozempic adds another issue.

One of its functions is to delay gastric emptying. This is why most people see constipation early on or with dosage changes. This is especially true if you are at a higher dose or have recently increased your dose. This is a new problem we are seeing in the surgery field.

How many units are you taking, and have you increased recently?

footie

When the surgeon released me, she said I didn't have any diet restrictions. I did ask my ostomy nurse if I could take probiotics and fiber supplements, and they said yes.

Thank you all for your input and advice. It really helps to talk with people who have or are going through something similar. It's a lot to deal with plus the mental part so yes it's overwhelming. 

Stick around. We love new people and you may find more questions.