Dehydration or Something Else? Post-Ileostomy Symptoms

I've been doing pretty well since my end ileostomy in February 2022. But now I'm having painful muscles, fatigue, shortness of breath, and feeling extremely dizzy. I do use Drip Drops in water. I have 30g of protein powder every day. As a norm, I drink 80 ounces a day in water alone (have for years), and 32 of that is electrolytes. But I still feel those symptoms. Should I drink more electrolytes? I already pay $104 each month on Drip Drops to get 32 ounces of electrolytes. And I'm on a fixed income. Is there something else that I should be doing? My mornings are better than the rest of the day.

Thanks for any info!

Hello there.

You could give this a try if you like. It is a proven ORS (oral rehydration solution) widely used. You could try it for a few days to see if you get any improvement. It is cheap and easy to make. I have used it when I was on the ropes a few times and after surgeries. It works for me. The part you need is the drink, St. Mark's electrolyte mix on the second page.

Axl

Would help if I included the link, wouldn't it... duh...

https://www.stmarkshospital.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/High-output-stoma-2014.pdf

Hi Jo, I've had an ileo for 30 some years and occasionally I get dehydrated. I usually drink a can or two of V-8 juice, but I drink a variety of fluids during the day, not just water.

I don't have an ileostomy so I'm just thinking out loud here, but it seems to me that by drinking so much water, you're just kinda flushing your system out all the time. Like Ron said, drinking other things that contain vitamins/minerals/calories already may not only keep your fluid level up but also give your body a chance to absorb some of the nutrients it needs. I know drinking milk is a good way to help stay hydrated, as is eating certain foods that contain lots of "moisture" in them. Having to spend so much on packaged nutrients seems kind of ridiculous if you could just change some of your drinking/eating habits to compensate for what it's supposed to be giving you. Good luck.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Gatorade works as well, my friend. Also, remember to drink loads of water (add lemon juice for flavor if needed) and add salt to your diet every day. Us mates need to replace our salt loss more than the average Joes and Janes... I salt a lot of my stuff...