Drinking Alcohol with an Ileostomy: Tips for the Holidays

As we head into the holiday season and bring new experiences to my ileostomy, I was wondering if there are any veterans out there who can give some tips for responsibly enjoying tipples when celebrating with friends and family.

I think the obvious, “Don't drink on an empty stomach,” goes without saying…. My concern is considering how fast an ileostomy processes everything; how quickly does the alcohol hit? I have never been drunk, and I do not drink often. I just want to know if anyone has any advice for us newbies.

Thanks!

Never really gave drinking (while being an ileo) much thought as to any adverse side effects.

Everything in moderation.

I'd have to say it doesn't bother my output. You'd have to experiment with this on your own... you do realize you can control a fast-acting ileo? Calm it down a bit? Not need to empty several times a day, yes?

From reading your post here and earlier posts, it sounds like you think a fast-acting ileo is OK. It's not. How often do you empty, daily? Just curious. Thanks.

Just drink and enjoy as you did before having an ileostomy and see how it goes. Same as everything, it affects all of us differently. Some will say they get drunk faster; others just the same as before. It may make you have higher and looser output, or it may not. You're not a heavy drinker, so if the worst thing happens and you need to change the bag, it won't be a problem.

I was once very fond of my happy hours… I cut the drinks to only 2 as I aged. Then I had emergency surgery and was given an ileostomy. Sadly, it pretty much ended my drinking days. Today, I will occasionally partake of my favorite Captain Morgan and diet over a full glass of ice in a Tervis tumbler, sipping to enjoy each drop. Ah, the joy of it all… but just one will give me a slight buzz but no issues with my ileo. There's more of a worry about my kidneys and the punishment of my liver. I'll give it the ole' college try… well, maybe not college, maybe just Jr. High school… jb

I was told I could drink with the ileostomy, but to make sure I eat something that slows the gut function down, as it can make your output very loose and dehydrate you.

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Hello Warrior,

I am emptying about 8 times a day. My ileostomy seems to be most active overnight; I have to get up around 4:30 to empty and then go back to bed.

There really is no reason you can't drink, but there is one thing you should keep in mind. Alcohol dehydrates you, and with an ileostomy, that is a double whammy. You already need to hydrate more than a 'normal' person, so don't forget to drink lots of non-alcoholic liquids along with the booze. If I order a beer or a glass of wine, I will ask for a glass of water along with it. Or drink the water afterward, just don't forget that part. Then, take it easy, and enjoy!

Terry

I also used to enjoy the happy hours, but now I find I am happy every hour. I'll drink to that.

IGGIE 😜

That's about the same time I gotta "go" too. 330-4 a.m.

Ideally, once during the night ain't bad. But since having this damn alien spud-turd making a super-sized zit as a stoma, I never have slept through the night. That's been since 2016.

Are you aware of Imodium tablets?

Warrior, I'm only 4 weeks in, and considering I have always been slow… I'm not ready to tempt fate by using Imodium just yet….

I was wondering what is the closest to "normal" for how many times a day one empties...? After my surgery, I was diagnosed with dumping syndrome, despite my small intestine having some motility issues. So, it's a fine balance of Benefiber, Imodium, Miralax, and the prescription medication Reglan throughout the day and evening. Only five months out, so hoping this will settle down...? As for drinking, I enjoy Merlot, but it does tend to give me more gas - or maybe my stoma just gets more talkative under the influence!

Gotcha.. going 8 times in a 24-hour time frame is every 3 hours.

I was going every two hours until I met Mr. Modium Just saying. Game changer.

Re: Immodium. How often do you take it, and how much?

Hi, Rocks. Beer, like soda pop, has carbonation, so it will make you gassy, whereas a mixed drink in an open tumbler has gas that isn't as bad. For me, wine is like prune juice and goes right through me. It's all trial and error.

It's a real personal choice, Bees. Trial and error.

But for me, 2 tablets 3 times a day really calms the "go." I think they are 2 mg tablets. I might take another 2 tablets before bedtime.

Have you tried Imodium?

I have not used Imodium since I got my ileostomy four years ago. I have just accepted the 7 or 8 times a day trip to the bathroom. However, there are times, or travels to take, that make me wonder about using Imodium.

Two tabs, three times a day sounds like a lot. And every day? Doesn't Imodium, besides slowing your gut down, remove the liquid from the waste? If so, you have no problems with blockages?

Maybe I'll just try one and see.

Thank you for the advice.

B

Honestly, 6 or 8 tablets daily is nothing compared to others using it.

Don't forget, it's not only for slowing things down, but for your body to absorb more nutrients, keeping them inside you longer than flushing everything out 6 to 8 times daily.

Bulking up is the idea. More solid output, and it helps keep you a bit healthier that way. So benefits are twofold.

Removing liquid from waste is ideal. It equates to bulk. You want that. But you must still drink liquids!!

I have been using Imodium all year. No blockages if you drink properly.

Okay. Thanks for the advice.

I have had my stoma for 8 weeks. I take Imodium, one in the morning and one in the evening. I only empty 4 times a day: 4 AM, 7:30 AM, 2 PM, and then before bed. I usually eat at the same times every day to make it more predictable.

Also, I drink probably 3 liters a day of water mixed with electrolytes and Metamucil.

Hospital put me on Imodium and Dioralyte a few years back - I was on 8 Imodium 2mg per day (though rarely took more than 4). Doc said they had a patient on 32 per day!

Illeo has changed and settled since then, so I rarely take anything - maybe 1 Imodium before getting on a plane.

I think it definitely helped with getting into a routine.

Re the alcohol, I love a beer or glass of wine and have no issues!

TBH I only imbibe about once a week.
But I want to enjoy life, colleagues, friends, and family.

My experiences:

Cocktails in moderation, but I don't think alcohol is as ‘effective' anymore without a colon.

Beer is not my friend. It blows up my bag. 😢

Wine is fine. Rosé all day. 🍷

My experience with straight alcohol, e.g., sipping whiskey with my SIL, is that I think it accelerates loosening my barrier. Kinda like a solvent. Maybe psychological 🤪

Lots of liquid means lots of liquid in the bag.

I'm okay with that.

My husband has no problem with light beer or a mixed drink. He's in his 3rd year of having an ileostomy. He does drink a lot of water as well.

One glass of wine is my limit. I went to a function recently and drank two. I should not have driven home, and I won't do that again. My stoma (Bertie) was not happy, and if Bertie ain't happy, neither am I.

I too empty 8-10 times a day, depending on what and how much I eat. I found that any alcohol for me made things go faster, no matter what I eat. So, I just made up my mind not to partake any longer. Most do not even question me about it anymore. If they do, I just remind them of my situation, and all is good. Good luck with your journey!

I have a pretty new colostomy (3 mos.). When I first got it, I only had to empty it once a day. Then it went to 2 times a day, but now it has become more irregular, and sometimes I have to empty it 5 times a day. For the first 6-7 weeks, I abstained from any alcohol; then I started slowly going back to my usual 2 cocktails every night. I'm not sure if that caused the irregularity or if it is because I can now eat more and more variety. I would appreciate feedback on this.

So the Imodium doesn't cause pancaking?

20% of alcohol is absorbed in the stomach, and 80% is absorbed in the intestines. Most of the alcohol has a delay in being absorbed in all people, including ostomates. Remember the 20/80 rule to decide if you can handle having another. Enjoy!

Have the same issue. When I meet friends for a large lunch, I would eat a snack for dinner at 5 PM. Empty before bed and go 6+ hours before emptying. Managing input/output is a challenge.

Immodium thickens output and slows motility. I don't use it and get enough pancakes to open an IHOP. Thickening foods work to slow down peristalsis, but pancakes.