Thick Output After Eating Starches: Seeking Advice

Hi, my name is Janet.

I am asking if anyone else has this problem of very thick output after eating potatoes and other starches. My diet is very restrictive as I have abdominal adhesions and am on a low-residue diet. I have always eaten starches in the past, but for the last three months, they have affected me this way. I am asking if anyone has this same problem, and if so, were they able to find anything to eat or drink that would thin the output? Advice would be much appreciated.

TIA

I see you have an ileostomy, like me, and if I eat lots of starchy foods, it will thicken up my output too. I don't think it's unusual. I just drink lots of water and other fluids throughout the day, which solves the problem. I add some electrolyte powder to some of the water I drink, and also just plain salt. My output tends to vary throughout the day and night from very loose and watery to thick, but I've always been able to manage it with my liquid intake.

Terry

Thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought of having a soda after consuming starchy food. I am having potato salad tomorrow, so I will try it then. I also have grape juice in the house all the time and also don't know why I didn't think of that.

I can only eat low-residue foods; however, there are foods I can eat with no problems, such as onions, cooked or raw. I try to go by the low-residue diet guide.

Thanks again for your advice. I will try tomorrow. Wish me luck.

I get thick output after I eat sweet potatoes, but not so much with mashed potatoes or anything like that. But I do drink a lot of fluids throughout the day. I have an ileostomy, so my output is often thin or liquid, but I do get the occasional pancaking with certain foods. Like I said, sweet potato is one. If you put a little water in your bag, that can help things slide out better. Staying hydrated is the best advice I can give you.

Welcome, Janet. All good advice above.

But tell me why you think a paste-like output should be an issue? Especially for an ileo? I mean, it seems you are eating well enough to get the nutrients you need as an ileo person.

We ileos have a tough time with liquid output. Constantly. So tough we become dehydrated.

I'm not sure I read you completely here, but there's no mention of pain or pancaking, and I would trade shoes with you in a heartbeat to get thicker output.

And yes, I do eat what needs to be eaten. Of course, we all do.

Are you sure you have an ileo? Not a colostomy?

Just want to be clear here because I found one member so far who said, "I have an ileo."

And after a few Q and A...

She called her doctor.

It was, in fact, a colostomy she had.

Welcome again. And you're in the right place.

Airport Security Tips Living with an Ostomy with April | Hollister

I was put on a low-residue diet in an attempt to thicken my output. So there's a clear cause and effect here.

The soda suggestion is a good bit, but that will also add gas. If you can tolerate more sugar, that may help. Try ice cream or something like that, maybe?

I don't have an ileostomy but need to thicken my colostomy output for complicated reasons. So I'm the opposite of you! Lol

Hey there,

LOL, I am always thick. I have an ileostomy, but tends to run more like I have a colostomy. Our bodies all run differently in what things thicken us. Apple juice works for me, though, and ice cream helps me as well.

Shamrock ☘️ was just waiting to pounce on this thread. 😁

In agreement with @Warrior, why don't you want a thick output? 🤔 I have a transverse colostomy with semi-liquid output. I eat bananas to thicken the output and take loperamide to slow my digestion in order to thicken it. Watery output fills up my pouch faster and is heavier. I'm never constipated, but it's easy to get diarrhea. 🙄