Managing Digestion for Solid Stools

Replies
14
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2188
joeycooper65
Nov 14, 2022 9:17 am

Hi all,

New to the group and considering what's the best way to slow down our guts and intestines. Naturally with food and not naturally i.e. drugs like Imodium or codeine.

Any advice on what you all do to control your diet and try for more solid stools. Thanks, Joe

Axl
Nov 14, 2022 10:14 am

Hello Joe

You don't say how new your ostomy is, if it's brand new it will take a few months to settle down some. For me, it's any roasted or steamed vegetables that take the longest to go through me, even an apple, but everyone is different.

Axl

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MeetAnOstoMate website turned out to be a lifesaver for me. I say this because, for me, this ostomy journey was a devastating event both physically and mentally.
Here, I found folks who understood my feelings even better than my family or friends could. Only a fellow ostomate can understand how you really feel.

Information sharing is key, as well as support and understanding, to ultimately bring more harmony into our ostomy life journey. I found here, virtually no ostomy questions that are not touched upon. Questions which some might feel, may be too trivial to contact a doctor about or even too shy or embarrassed to ask their own doctor about. They are all addressed here.

For me, anonymity was very helpful in seeking answers to each phase of this life changing medical and mental event. Sharing initial trauma feelings, ongoing support and finally acceptance was what I found with my membership here. I am not sure what my mental and physical attitude would be today without having found this site.

Additional benefits included: finding products and ideas to help with daily maintenance, innovative ideas and as a bonus - some great humor.
After all “laughter IS the best medicine”.

I have been a member for 3 years, an ostomate for 4 years - yes, I certainly wish I would have found it immediately after surgery but so very thankful I finally found it when I did as I truly believe it turned my troubled depression and situation into a more positive attitude and acceptance.

Sincerely,
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Doe1mama
Nov 14, 2022 1:46 pm

Marshmallows will certainly firm things up.

ron in mich
Nov 14, 2022 2:18 pm

Hi Joey, applesauce, peanut butter, bananas, also mashed potatoes, but I also use Imodium every day.

Renfromtexas
Nov 14, 2022 8:30 pm

I hear marshmallows work wonders if you eat a few half hour or so before bag change. I usually drink some coffee beforehand so it clears the way prior. I almost always have output regardless.

 

Avoiding Ostomy Bag Leaking | Managing Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden

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Abefroman1969
Nov 14, 2022 9:41 pm

I have the opposite issue, I'd like to speed up my motility. I'm back on TPN and it seems whenever I eat, it will be about 12 hours before I see the bulk of the output. Liquids are a different story; those go right through me, and whatever doesn't get turned to urine seems to go right out the ostomy like there's a passing lane in there! Coffee especially, down to one cup a day.

OU812
Nov 15, 2022 6:59 pm

Bananas and oatmeal firm things up and slow things down for my ileostomy.

annofsd
Nov 21, 2022 4:35 am

For a few years now, I have been taking an Imodium pill with each of my meals. It keeps my output manageable.

gardengirl
Nov 21, 2022 5:36 pm

I am gluten free, which is mostly rice-based foods, so I have thick output always...

Vet72
Nov 22, 2022 12:20 am

After 5 years of learning how to control my colostomy output, at least as far as this is possible, here are the things that work for me:

If I want to thicken up my output, I find that eating increased amounts of bananas, oatmeal, nuts, rice, and plain boiled potatoes all seem to do the trick. I know that a lot of people recommend marshmallows, but I have never liked those ultra-sweet mushy things, plus surely all that extra sugar in your diet can't be particularly healthy? Unless you are keen on increasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes...

On the other hand, if my output gets a bit too solid, which for me means an increased risk of 'pancaking' and subsequent bag leakage (or even a total 'blowout'!), I reduce the healthy stuff in my diet (i.e. bananas, oatmeal, etc.) and indulge in some of what I would normally consider to be "rubbish" foods. For me, this means anything with a high gluten content, such as bread, pasta, and pastries, and anything that is artificially sweet (such as chocolate). Drinking more plain water than usual helps as well.

I tend to steer well clear of medications (such as Lomotil, etc.) that some people like to use to regulate their output. In my opinion, they are probably best reserved for emergency situations rather than regular use.

Ninja
Nov 22, 2022 5:28 am

Joey:
Welcome to the club. It matters if yours is an ileostomy or colostomy, so pray tell. I always have roasted plantains, sweet potatoes, or other starchy foods to keep my output within a realm of 'reliable' output. I also try to keep all my food intake within an 8-12 hour window, so that there is some predictability in the flow of digestion/emptying. I went to the theatre the other night and miscalculated, which did not improve the quality of the play.

Good luck. I have found folks to be incredibly knowledgeable and forthcoming, so keep asking questions with more granular details about what you are seeking for yourself. Peace to you and yours for the upcoming holidays, Ninja

Redondo
Nov 24, 2022 1:00 am

I have an ileostomy. I have tried the marshmallows but once they really blocked me up. Imodium didn't really hold me back. I eat a little jello at night sometimes and this seems to slow things down.

infinitycastle52777
Jun 13, 2023 1:08 pm

The best food I have found to slow down digestion is pumpkin. I use pumpkin pie mix from a can and just eat a small bowl of it. Works like a charm. Even my ostomy nurse said she is going to pass that idea along to some of her other patients who are struggling with output issues. For me, this works even better and faster than Imodium.

Lee

Rene
Jun 19, 2023 2:43 pm

Snacking on something salty or potatoes in any style, except French fries, and rice helps me. Chewy granola bars also work, and, ironically enough, plain water. I also use Imodium 3 or 4 days a week, but only if nothing seems to be working that day.

iMacG5
Jul 13, 2023 9:02 pm

Hey Joe, you didn't identify yours as an ileo or colo. There's a huge difference in output consistency and frequency. The other difference is you. What might work well for some of us might not for you and the opposite is true. You've come to a good place and asked a very good question. You'll get lots of opinions and some of them will fit you perfectly. Keep us posted on your success.

Respectfully,

Mike