Morning Pain

Every morning I am awakened by pain in my tummy. It is usually about 4am or so and will last until mid-morning. Has anyone had this problem? I don't eat after 5 in the afternoon most of the time. I will usually just suck on a hard candy if I want something. I have had my ileostomy for 2 1/2 years now. Also, I keep searching for something to thicken the contents of the bag to try and keep food from passing through so fast. I have trouble keeping myself hydrated, so I figure if I can thicken it, the fluid won't go.

Hi Swede0.  Sorry nobody jumped in to help.  Several folks have had success thickening the output.  Unfortunately I don't remember what they used except for marshmellows and, maybe, bananas.  Maybe if you post a question specific to thickening, you'll get some suggestions.  

We shouldn't have pain regularly.  What's your doc(s) have to say about that?

Please stay in touch.

Mike

Hi SweedeO, I am sorry that I missed your post too. I would have answered sooner. I can't help with the pain except to ask....could you be hungry and your stomach is filling up with air causing pain? If I don't eat something every few hours, I have gas in my belly and it is uncomfortable. Just a thought. Regarding thickening up the liquid, my output varies throughout the day...liquid to pudding-like. To keep thick or firm, I eat potatoes, chips, pasta, lots of bread with butter, rice, yams, chicken, cookies, graham crackers. When I eat veggies, salads, fruits, my output is thinner. I read somewhere that cooked veggies provide better vitamins because they are easier to break down in the system. I always preferred my veggies cooked. Raw, with the exception of a salad, is not my favorite.

To add to the thickening list, bananas and marshmallows...I don't really like them but they help.

Keeping hydrated is tricky too. I drink water and Gatorade along with lots of herbal tea. I would drink the regular all day but it does dehydrate me with the caffeine. I keep to two cups of regular in the morning and drink decaf the rest of the day.

Hope this helps. Take care. LH