Remember my green-colored output.... Yesterday I ran out of my electrolyte powder (was using Powerade), and John came home from the fire station with lemonade-flavored Sqwincher Zero Qwik Stik electrolyte sachets - and I noticed after I started drinking it, having asked my GP if it was okay to drink that as I usually am allergic to artificial sweeteners, and he told me that with this particular sweetener I probably would not have any problems, but if I did start feeling an upset stomach to stop drinking the stuff - and then my husband pointed something out about the Powerade powder he has been buying me - it is BLUE!!
My output is back to its chocolatey look - but I feel like such an idiot, and I feel embarrassed just admitting it to you all!!
I'm glad you found the answer. All of us make mistakes. You're not an idiot. I get overwhelmed and frustrated with all I have to remember about my colostomy.
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Hi All, If you have an " old" or recent ostomy, this is the place for you. I think I've been a member for more than 15 years, but I have had my surgery, since I was a kid of 15 ( do the math-that's more than 60 years ago). As a teen, with a new ostomy ( for Ulcerative colitis) my parents dragged me off to my first ostomy association meeting. I wasn't happy, but in the long run, it's the best thing that happened to me. I met others, older, and teens like me, adjusting to the changes. A group of us started a Young adult group, and helped each other, and even visited kids who were new to the world of ostomies. But soon I married, and moved out of state, and although made some connections with other NJ ostomates, I became pretty much isolated. Until I discovered MaO. By then, I was having a myriad of other medical issues, and my aging stoma " wasn't doing well". I received a lot of help and support from members! I was pleased that I was also back to supporting others. I met a gal on line (from Papua New Guinea) who was trying to help ostomates in her country. There is a scarcity of supplies in some other countries, and unlike the US, insurance to pay for supplies isn't available. When my son followed his "love" twenty years ago, and moved to Australia I took advantage of an opportunity to help other ostomates. On one of my first visits to Oz, I brought a suitcase full of Ostomy supplies, handed them off to an Ostomy assoc. On the Gold Coast, who then had a friend take them to PNG. They were grateful for the help, and Janet and I still write.. This is the place to be, if you need help, and it also gives you the opportunity to provide help and support to others. Feel free to write, if you'd like to chat, about things ostomy, or life in general. Best REgards to all.. Marsha
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I think most ileo's have felt that concern with oddly colored output.
Take note if you ever eat beetroot, cherries, blackberries, or blueberries (all the berries actually can create some iridescent shades) and particularly the delight that is red velvet cake or a glass of red - the resulting output is no cause for alarm!
Bon Appétit! ✨🍷🍒🍓🧁🍰🍧😊✨
I have gotten used to not being able to eat solid food, but I do remember the first few weeks 28 years ago when I'd first gotten my ileostomy, and I'd been drinking a raspberry soda. It turned my output bright red! I panicked initially until my husband suggested that perhaps the dye in my soda was causing this. 😂
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No need to feel stupid. It can be so overwhelming trying to keep track of what we can and can't ingest. It's good that at least you know what caused it.
I remember the first time I ate beets after becoming an ileostomate (beetroot to you Brits and Aussies). I thought I must be bleeding internally and freaked out! Lol!
Terry
Thanks, Terry, for making me laugh! I too wondered what on earth was happening after drinking red soda.
My sister pointed out to me this afternoon that it was "basic mixing primary colors" - I think she was laughing at me at the same time, though.... LOL
Blue Powerade gives me blue output. The dye just comes right back out of me, in liquid form. I don't drink Powerade anymore for that reason. I just think my ostomy doesn't care for dyes. It really hates red dye. It can be scary to see a load of red come out in your bag. It looks like blood, but it's just red dye. I am careful about the dyes I consume now.
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I'm all good with my red output from beets, now that I know what is causing it. Beets are good for you and yummy, especially roasted.
Terry
I am allergic to artificial sweeteners; an enormous PITA because I am also diabetic. My GP had initially given me a script for electrolyte powder, but I didn't particularly like it, and compared to Powerade, I got over my dehydration twice as fast compared to the stuff my doctor was giving me. My husband gave me some electrolyte powder sachets they weren't using at the fire station anymore, but my gut immediately started reacting to the artificial sweetener, and it gave me a slightly burning sensation when I drank it. So hubby has gone to do the every two-week grocery run, and he's going to buy me another box of powder. Unfortunately, New Zealand does not seem to have as wide a flavor as the United States, as a friend from the States really likes the grape flavor.
In the past, when I still had my IV access, I had to have 3 liters of IV fluid at home. But those days are over.
I have actually been told that because I was drinking too much water, I was causing my small amount of leftover gut to dump it as soon as I'd drunk it, so I am now limited to only being allowed 1 cup of water a day, and the rest I have to add electrolytes to, and I have to keep the amount I drink under 2 liters a day.
I have to be honest; since the hospital asked me not to drink over 9 liters of water a day, I am no longer getting so badly dehydrated.
But in the hot summer weather, I have to be very careful.