I've had a colostomy for 4 years. For the last year, it fluctuates between no output and having diarrhea! When constipated, I get painful moving lumps around the stoma that the consultant says are unpassed stool and to take laxatives! I did this last week because the pain was terrible, and boy, did they work! 2 Laxido, and I had diarrhea very badly for 3 days! Then I had to take Loperamide, and now I've had no output for 5 days! It's just a vicious circle! Does anyone else suffer from this sort of thing, please?
Hamsterly
Sep 19, 2025 6:08 am
Justbreathe
Sep 19, 2025 11:00 am
Ileostomy here….I find a daily dose of psyllium fiber powder, the same as Metamucil, keeps output more consistent….Initially, the doc suggested this; however, early on in my journey, 5 years ago, my emergency surgery left my head spinning, and probably most advice sailed right over my head. This site helped to stop the spinning head. If you are not already taking fiber on a daily basis, you may want to ask your doctor about it - then do what your own body responds to….Not to dis the docs, but in my experience, sometimes they get it wrong…..jb
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Posted by: Nini4
Well, I hit the two year mark. I went back and read my posts from when I first found this site. I was very fortunate in that I stumbled upon it only 4 weeks post op. I have said many times that this community really saved me. The first 2 weeks after my surgery I shut down completely. It wasn't until about the 3rd week that my son came in to my room, flicked on the light and told me I was going to have to get back to living because I was scaring him. I had fallen into such a depression. He ticked me off, but it also made me stop and think- what was I going to do? Feel sorry for myself and sulk, or be grateful I was alive.
I've re-read my journals from that time and it was after my son kicked my butt, so to speak, I took an honest inventory and had to dig deeper than I've ever had to. I mean, I had survived a pretty nasty divorce, after a pretty crappy marriage and that was tough. But this was different. I felt like I was now a handicapped person who would be limited in their life and be looked at as a freak. My mental state was precarious, at best.
But then I found this site. I just lurked a bit before posting. I read so many of the other stories and I started to see just how full my life can be, I was not handicapped, and certainly not a freak! The stories of survival, the sense of humor, the support and compassion was inspiring. It was then I made myself get out of the dark, and get my sh*t together.
Not all rainbows and sunshine at first, hardly! But with grace from myself - to myself, and the kindness and willingness of the folks here to be supportive, non judgemental and openly share intimate details about their life circumstances, l not only survived but thrived.
I think of all the years I had suffered with such extreme pain, barely functioning, and the many hospital stays and how that is all behind me now. (All fingers, toes, and legs crossed that I never have to go near a hospital for myself ever again. I think I'd rather have a fork stuck in my eye. I loathe every about them.)
So, to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me, to say thank you is not enough. I'm forever grateful to know you all. My Angels, each one of you.
And as the Grateful Dead famously said,
"what a long strange trip it's been!"
Im so happy I'm tripping with you all.
Karliegirl33
Sep 19, 2025 1:10 pm
Hi
Yes, I have suffered from chronic constipation for years. I have had a colostomy for 17 months now and find that a capful of Miralax in my coffee every other morning helps to keep my output consistent. If I forget to do this, I will eat baby prunes to get things moving. Yes, a vicious cycle indeed ☹️
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SusanT
Sep 19, 2025 1:13 pm
Don't take the loperamide. When you get diarrhea after the laxative, let it run its course. Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. Include some oral rehydrating drinks for electrolytes.
Alternating the laxatives with loperamide sets you up for a vicious cycle and can lead to permanent problems.
Adding psyllium fiber, as suggested by JB, should help both the diarrhea and the constipation and is a much safer approach. Doing that consistently should allow you to stop taking the laxatives.
KeyoW
Sep 20, 2025 2:26 pm
Try bananas or peanut butter (if you are not diabetic). It will help with slowing down diarrhea. Also, try warm lemon water and senna tea. They will help with constipation. I sometimes use a very small dose of a laxative if all else fails. For example, if the laxative says a full dose is a cup, then I do 1/4 to 1/2 of the recommended dosage followed by some warm lemon water. Yes, the cycle of constipation and diarrhea seems to come as a packaged deal when dealing with an ostomy. I've been dealing with this for 27 years now, and the older I get, the more frequently it happens.
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