Managing Constipation and Fluid Issues with a Stoma

Hi friends: I've had a colostomy for many years, but I never before had constipation when I had a stoma. A few weeks ago, my stoma started growing in size. I changed the hole size of my flange, but my stoma kept growing. I finally figured out it was because I had constipation. I started eating more fiber and drinking more water. Finally, poop started coming out. I continued to take loperamide to have a manageable poop, but now I am dealing with continuous liquid flowing from my stoma. Have any of you had similar experiences? Do any of you have any ideas about how I can stop the fluid from flowing out? Thanks for your help. Ann

Is the liquid poop? Or just clear liquid? Either way, I would call your doctor or ostomy nurse for advice.

If you have constipation, why would you take something to stop your output once you start having some? I'd guess all your fluids and fiber are going through you now since you just changed everything about what you did before, and now you're trying to change it back to what it was by taking that medication? When people change stuff up drastically from their “normal,” there's gonna be the possibility of drastic differences in what you are used to having. 🤷‍♂️

I have a colostomy with almost constant liquid output. I tried loperamide, but it didn't help, so I gave it up as a lost cause. Occasionally, it slows down for a day or two on its own, but it always goes back to liquid without any intervention from me. I think that's just how it's going to be.

I'm currently on a low-residue diet per my doctor, so very little fiber.

I have no suggestions to slow you down since nothing has worked for me. But I figure liquid is better than being constipated... at least it's moving and not blocked.

Maybe you have or had a partial blockage, and this is the end result of that? Is only liquid getting through? If you are constipated, don't take loperamide. That will constipate you more. Consider seeking medical advice from your doctor.

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Thanks for your reply. The liquid is a clear gold color. When there is poop, it is not mixed with the liquid, so it is pretty solid.

Thanks for your reply. The liquid is a clear gold color. When there is poop, it is not mixed with the liquid, so it is pretty solid.

Thanks for your reply, Susan. I admire your positive attitude! I hope your liquid output stops, though I agree it is better than being constipated. :)

Ann

Clear and gold colored? I have no ideas here, but I will echo the suggestion to see your doctor.

Some of us (I have an ileostomy) just have liquid output, and there's nothing we can do about it. It's just a matter of putting up with it or experimenting with what will thicken it up - especially if you are like me and can't eat solid food.
Unfortunately, it is a fact of life.

? Bile ?

Isn't bile green?

There may be an explanation for the color, but I don't know it. The liquid output is not in itself concerning, but the color is odd and makes me think there may be more going on.

There is a condition you may already know about called "overflow," where the constipation "bung" is blocking the colon, so the solids can't get out, but you get clear liquid flowing around it and out. I hope that makes sense in some way. If I were you, I would ask a medic or nurse to have a prod to see if it's that. If so, they can use an enema or something to clear the blockage, I imagine.

Hope this helps.