I am 54. I've had my ileostomy for 14 years now. Lately, I've noticed I have a yellow output. Does anyone else have this issue?
rebeccaflds
Oct 19, 2023 1:56 am
harry113
Oct 19, 2023 2:10 am
My color changes depending on what I eat, and yes, sometimes it is yellow.
Cplumber
Oct 19, 2023 4:20 am
I think it's kind of like a mood ring; you would have to look it up on the color spectrum. It's a weird season for me; I'm running a magenta orange.
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Posted by: Karen & Stella
Fay,
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
elwick
Oct 19, 2023 8:14 am
Hi Rebeccaflds, I have noticed that if I eat or drink a lot of milk products (milk, ice cream, cheese, etc.), my output is light yellowish in color. You find something similar with babies in their early days when they are mainly being fed with milk.
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Mysterious Mose
Oct 19, 2023 3:26 pm
Sure. What you are seeing is probably bile. I often see a greenish-yellow color in my stool. But with an ileostomy, I would think this is something you would be used to, especially a 14-year veteran. Have you recently increased your fat intake?
Daniel
Gemini16
Oct 20, 2023 2:34 am
Usually, my "yellow" output is chicken or eggs... with black pepper flakes :)
Justbreathe
Oct 20, 2023 10:57 am
So many different colors I've learned to just ignore them - watermelon and beets are a bit frightening though.
RunJumpClimb
Oct 21, 2023 1:13 am
I will have a baby ostomy (3 mo), but I have yellow stool consistently when it's liquidy (i.e., I'm not properly hydrated).
I imagine if it's occasional, it probably has to do with a certain food. If it's often, ask your doctor.
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