Advice Needed: Calcium Supplement Issues with Colostomy Bag

Hi.  I have a colostomy due to colon rectal cancer .  I have had it for almost two years now.  I am writing this is hopes that someone can give me some helpful hints in dealing with a problem I am having when I take my calcium supplement.   To begin with, I have a retracted stoma which causes problems with my bag.  Recently, I discovered that my calcium supplement is the culprit behind my paste like stools.  As you can imagine, this causes an increase in the bag problems.  I am 49 years old and due to chemo, etc. I have osteoporosis.  I really need my calcium.  Can anyone give me some advice as to how to get my calcium but avoid the paste like stool?  Thank you so much.

Hi Texasgirl, there are a few ways to get your daily fix of calcium and prevent constipation. I don't know how many you have tried, or how much colon you have left for that matter, but here are a few simple angles to combat constipation, lass, or pasty poo.

Firstly, have a wee lookie at the ingredients of the supplements you're taking and see if they contain bone meal. If they do, don't take them. Bone meal calcium comes from animals' bones and increases the risk of constipation. Also, in my opinion, a very important factor is that any heavy metals the animal has ever been exposed to are stored in the bones. Over-the-counter samples of supplements with bone meal or dolomite have been tested, and significant amounts of lead, arsenic, mercury, and other potentially toxic metals were detected. So if they've got bone meal in them, throw them in the bin, lol.

Calcium in foods is found to have a much higher absorption rate than supplements, but this entirely depends on how much colon you have left. That being said, milk products such as hard/cottage cheeses and yogurts are high in calcium, as are green vegetables, especially spinach. But ironically enough, spinach can interfere with the absorption of calcium, as can rhubarb and bran.

A simple way to estimate one's daily calcium intake is to multiply the number of calcium-rich foods you have eaten each day by 300 mg. One serving equals 8 oz of milk or yogurt, 1 oz of hard cheese, 16 oz of cottage cheese, or 2 cups of broccoli. Incidentally, foods labeled as containing 100% of the recommended dietary value of calcium should not be considered as the single source of a full day's supply of calcium. So don't let that fool ya.

If your intake of calcium still remains below the amount recommended by your doctor, calcium supplements are inevitable. But there are a few ways to gently soften your stool and reduce the risk of constipation, lass, so don't worry. If you are mobile enough, regular exercise helps, as does increasing fruits, vegetables, and high-fiber foods in your diet. Have a few prunes with your cereal in the morning, and drink an extra liter of water per day.

If all else fails, then ask your doctor or stoma nurse if you can take stool softeners or calcium supplements with magnesium added (i.e., Citracal Plus w/Magnesium) to minimize the constipation. Dietary magnesium does not pose a health risk in most people, although the risk of magnesium toxicity increases in patients with kidney failure. Also, very large doses of magnesium-containing laxatives and antacids have been associated with magnesium toxicity.

Hopefully, a few of those suggestions could be suitable for you, Texasgirl. It can't be much fun for you.

Take care, lass.

Oh, and P.S., taking calcium supplements with Vitamin D added is said to be very beneficial to folks with osteoporosis. Research done on Vitamin D shows it to be one of those kinds of wonder drugs.

Sweede, thank you for the information.  It is very helpful.  Today I picked up flax seed in hopes that it will help.  My goal is to irrigate but until then I need to get this problem under control.  Once again, thank you!

Softening the stool through natural ie dietary changes if possible is always the best way to go.  Good info from Sweede!

I have folks with pastey stools that tend to get stuck on the wafer opening and won't slide down to the bottom of the pouch; using cooking spray (Pam, or whatever) and spraying it on the wafer and in the pouch sometimes helps.  You could also place cooking oil in the bottom of the pouch and spread it around so it goes to the top if you have a one piece appliance.

One other thought; you may want to consult with your doctor about taking a monthly Calcium supplement; they are by prescription and depends on how bad your osteoporosis is; but may alleviate the daily issue of dealing with the pasties.

I wouldn't worry about trying to solve the issue prior to irrigation, as the water irrigant will break up the stool somewhat.

Nice one Whoa, love the outfit by the way.......

Just to add a wee extra to the pancacking thing, Peppermint oil is another good trick for lubing the inside of the bag, it also nicely masks nasty odors. Although i'm not sure if you get it in spray bottles, that would be just toooo cool, i guess you could always transfer it into a wee spray bottle.

but mind and keep it away from the filter.x

My Ostomy Journey: Bruce | Hollister