Ileostomy with Liquid Output

I have had an ileostomy for 16 years and have liquid output most of the time. Has anyone tried adding Knox Gelatin to their pouch? I have tried diamonds by Convatec, but they are so expensive, and my insurance doesn't pay for them. I know about the correct foods to eat, but it does not usually work, which leads to leaks. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Try it.

Wow! 16 years with an ileo? I'm only at 9 years, and I would be very concerned that your output is mostly liquid. Are you familiar with short bowel syndrome/disease?

It seems you want to bulk up the bag contents, and you already know about the foods you need to eat to do that.

There are few here with SBD who will chime in stating Imodium works well for bulking. I am using that. It works for me.

Hello, I can't address the ileo or the liquid that it produces because I have a colostomy, but if you're just trying to help the liquid in the bag be more solid (I am guessing so it won't leak, etc.), I would guess Knox would work, but that could be expensive as well. You can get, for example, the picture is 2.2 lbs for $34-37 on Amazon, or maybe

Psyllium Whole Husks Fiber could work; it's cheap too, like $27.00 for 20 oz. Or just fiber powder; they all are good for jelling up a liquid… just a thought. Hope you find something to help,

Best wishes

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Oh, I just thought of another… what about chia seeds? They would soak up a lot and gel up like silica does… just a thought.

Give it a try; you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I've known people to put a teaspoon of oats in their bag too. Do you just have liquid output, or do you have high output? I've had liquid output for over 20 years; mine's from having a large piece of small bowel removed. That's why I was asking if you have liquid output or high; you can see from replies that often people get the two mixed up.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I have dumping syndrome, so I appreciate the struggle. I saw the silica gel packets that Convotec has, and they were expensive. I found 100 small packets of the silica gel for $5 on Amazon. They're great with odor and soaking up the liquid. Amazon also sells it just for ostomies in a canister, and you add 1/2 to 1 tsp to your bag. Best of luck!

Hi K,

You lost me when you said, "it does not usually work, which leads to leaks." Having liquid output doesn't mean you'll have leaks... you're doing something wrong. Lots of us have liquid output, and a lot of it, but don't have leaks. So you need to get that squared away.

As for having liquid output... if you have most of your small bowel, you either don't know how to eat... meaning not just what, but when and in what order... nor do you know how to drink. If you do know all that... then the only reasons you'd be having all liquid output would be because your small bowel is inflamed or diseased or both. I've only got 140 cm of small bowel, and I can make my output pancake if I wanted to just by controlling my eating and drinking... so if you've got more than that... get learning or get to a gastro.

;O)