I'm soon embarking on my first international travel with a colostomy.
Usually, I take 2 Pepto Bismol chewable tablets every 4 hours to lessen the chance of gastrointestinal illness. Pepto coats the stomach, preventing germs from getting a foothold.
Will this cause problems with a colostomy?
It will change the appearance of your output. I remember this from using Pepto Bismol before my colostomy. Waiting for someone to weigh in on post-colostomy use.
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I do know it changes stool to a dark color.
I've been on cruise ships with outbreaks of Norovirus and colds. My wife and I managed to remain healthy. We used the Pepto 2 tablet every 4-hour routine. We avoided the buffet food court. We used Purell hand sanitizer, washed our hands frequently, and avoided touching our faces.
On land tours, we shower using lukewarm water (to avoid breathing steam) and don't get our heads wet. For that, we use bottled water to wash our faces and shampoo our hair, and brush our teeth. We also don't touch stair rails or push elevator buttons.
On a 2-week China trip, tourists in our group laughed at us when we told them about our shower routine. They all got sick. For a few days, we were the only ones on our tour bus. Even our tour guide got sick.
I have a colostomy and take Pepto Bismol chewables for indigestion and diarrhea. Haven't experienced any unwanted side effects. I like the idea of taking them as a preventative measure.
Thanks Hugo!
Even though I've had a colostomy for 27 months, I'm still careful trying new things with it. When I first heard of using Pepto Bismol during travel to avoid gastrointestinal illness, I was skeptical. I did a lot of research. The CDC did a study about it, and it actually works. It is 50 to 60% effective in preventing diarrhea. Many other studies confirm it as well.
Hello there!
When in recovery from my colorectal surgery, the surgeon advised me to take a prebiotic every morning.
For the past five years, I have taken Yakult every morning before consuming anything.
I can eat anything, and I have traveled extensively, including twice from the UK to New Zealand, which is the longest long haul in the world.
I think it seems like there is a small misunderstanding or misintegration of information about how Pepto Bismol works in the body. It does not, as stated, "prevent germs from getting a foothold." It does, however, work as an anti-diarrheal for symptom management. To answer your question in relation to your colostomy: YES, I anticipate it causing you trouble with constipation or pancaking of your output.
