Colostomy for 6 months now. Sometimes I get almost non stop output that's soft and loose, although not watery. Won't let me sleep, as when I'm awake I can feel it as it's outputting and I lie there waiting for the next one. Started outputting last night at about 9:00PM and just kept coming and coming until it seemed to stop at about 2:00am, I got 3 hours sleep, woke up at about 5:00am with a full bag, and it STILL kept coming! Also when I get this much output, the stoma has a bit of a stinging pain, like it's irritated. I finally had to take Vicodin to at least take the edge off the pain so I could get another hour or so sleep. Can't get out of bed when it gets this bad, lying on my back is less uncomfortable than being upright. What I eat doesn't seem to make much difference, I didn't really eat anything unusual in the last day or two. Is there a safe way to slow things down without risking a 'shut down' so I can perhaps at least get some sleep?
Hello VeganMidiMan. Those were the days my friend - I thought they'd never end. Then I tried irrigating and never had any of that sort of problem again.
Best wishes
Bill
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I just wanted to tell all the users of this site that I really love having the opportunity to express my feelings here. I'm positive that many feel the same. I wish that all here come out of the experience you have here will be like mine. Support and understanding from others with issues similar like each other will help us all and give the relief we all crave, well, I'm selfish. I'm here because I need support. And I find enough here to help in the tough times. Thank you. I really mean it.
I do belive it is a change in our diets. Somedays banana's help make my output more firm, depending on whatelse I eat throughout the day will keep it consistant or not.
Keeping a food diary helps me.
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This "diarrhoea" happened to me too, in the early days after my operation. I solved the problem with IMODUM. It should be available in USA. You are experiencing loose stools because your insides haven't yet adjusted to the trauma of the treatment and the surgeons scalpel.
Once you get the the "diarrhoea" under control you should look into irrigation, as has been mentioned.
When you get that mastered you will wonder how you managed without irrigating. Guarantee it. Just Google, it is all there.
Good luck.
V.J.