Medication not digesting! Need advice!

I have had my ileostomy since May 2016 as an emergency and had a proctectomy in December 2016. Since I've had my last surgery, which was just over 2 weeks ago now, I have noticed that the vitamin tablets I take, along with some other meds I have, are passing through to my bag still complete! Kind of freaky and actually quite painful! Anyone had this happen before? Any advice would be great!

Hello Flutterbye.

Thanks for your post and I hope you get some useful replies. I have heard of this problem before so I went searching past posts and found one under 'collections' & 'ileostomy'.

Rabbit posted in 2012 under the title 'Medication and Ileostomy' and there were a few replies, indicating that it is not an uncommon occurance.

Basically, the answers seems to lay in getting liquid alternatives, not having coated pills, crushing them and mixing with liquids. I feel sure that the medics would put you on liquid meds if they are available as there is little point in taking pills if they come out just as they went in.

I hope things work out for you (excuse the pun!)

best wishes

Bill 

Flutterbye,

I'm not sure about alternatives to the medication you're taking. Perhaps break them up into more than one piece. Although some medications become inert if you break them up.

As for the vitamins, here in the US, there are gummy vitamins. I myself take a gummy multivitamin as well as C, D, and Omega-3. I'm sure the UK has something like this. Hope this helps.

Bain

I have contacted my stoma nurse today, she said I will have to have medications changed now. My doctor is sorting it all out for me. I also take a beta blocker as while being pumped full of I.V. steroids before my surgery, I developed a heart problem, not nice at all as I had to have adenosine which I must say is possibly the most unpleasant experience of my life!

On the upside, it looks like I can have it in a dissolvable tablet, yay! It's so weird having to watch everything you eat. It's all trial and error for me at the moment. I am embracing it as much as possible.

Still can't quite believe that this time last year I was actually well and in remission, what a roller coaster year I've had :)

Hello Flutterbye.

Thanks for keeping us informed of progress. It sounds like you have the situation under control and I'm sure you will get used to the roller coaster. It tends to be less dramatic the more you ride it.

Best wishes

Bill

My Ostomy Journey: LeeAnne | Hollister

It may be a rollercoaster but you are on the good part -- Look forward with positive thoughts- it gets better. I am had to change things around too - and discovered I could get along with very little extra meds and what I did need was digestible....

I get blood profile work every 6 months to be sure I am staying up on the numbers and so far it is excellent. Try Centrum Specialist Energy - it is amazing as the iron that I have to have is digestible in that form. My best to you ---

Yea......I passed 28 Vicodin in my bag after oral surgery......I now chew every type of med.......I have scleroderma which causes poor digestion and absorption...........It has not happened for a while except with seeds, fruit skins, nuts, etc.....But since I have no colon I am supposed to be on a low fiber diet...........I have ditched Western meds and have opted for herbs and spices..........I only have to take my omeprazole at an extremely high dose of 160mg/day............................