Ileostomy and Bowel Irritation: Seeking Soothing Solutions

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310
Milford
Apr 16, 2025 8:17 pm

I'm wondering if anybody has used any products that "soothe" what feels like an irritable bowel. I have an ileostomy, and my bowel just feels irritated on occasion. Peppermint tea seems to help a little, but I was curious if anybody has any suggestions for anything else?

I went to a gastroenterologist, and the first thing he wanted to do was a CT enterography with contrast medium. I would prefer to start more conservatively, but he wanted to do that complete workup. So any product or over-the-counter medication suggestions would be most welcome. Thank you.

eefyjig
Apr 16, 2025 8:25 pm

Hi Milford, do you mean that you have abdominal discomfort? Yes, I get that typically when my output is thicker. It may be something as simple as scar tissue that doesn't like thicker output working its way through your intestines. If I can expel gas, I feel much better. I do that by twisting my torso and pushing my belly far out and way in as I deeply inhale and exhale.

Posted by: iMacG5

Hi Crossley. Ya know, I think it’s all about feelings. I don’t mean the pain feelings which could control everything. I mean the feelings inside our heads, our hearts and even our souls. I mean the feelings of who we are now compared to who we were; how we accept our situation or maybe we don’t. My wife asked how I felt and I said, “like crap”. She asked what hurt and I answered, “Nothing hurts, well, everything hurts, I don’t know, It all sucks.” That was a long time ago. You question if your feelings are normal. How normal is it to relocate your butt hole to your belly where it’s usually in the way of your belt and, you know. But that’s where we are and for lots of us we are so much better off than we were before, physically. Emotionally, psychologically, well, that might be a different story. I believe talk therapy is wonderful if we could find a real empathic or sympathetic listener. So guess what! I found MAO and began “talking” with a keyboard with some of the wisest, kindest most sympathetic and compassionate folks on the planet. Regardless of where we’ve been, lots of folks here have been there and worse places and found their way back healthier and happier. We really do help each other.
Keep “talking”,
Mike

Milford
Apr 17, 2025 12:08 am

Thank you, eefyjig. It's interesting that you mentioned gas because I have been experiencing that and noticed if I can burp, it does feel better temporarily. I will definitely try your "twisting torso" technique. Other times, it is a discomfort -- not a real pain -- just discomfort that to me feels like the interior of the small intestine is just irritated. I mentioned the peppermint tea seems to help, but I was curious if anybody has used any over-the-counter products with success. I haven't noticed any change in output thickness, but I will start paying attention to that, as well, when the discomfort appears. Thanks again.

aTraveler
Apr 17, 2025 12:18 pm

Ibgard and Atrantil are two medications you can try. It takes about a month to see the effects of Atrantil. If neither helps, you may want to get the CT enterography; it is extremely useful in diagnosing problems of the small intestine.

— Proud owner of lifesaving ostomy, vintage 2023, V6 colostomy engine.