Paleo Diet Experiences with an Ostomy

Just wondering if any of you have tried the Paleo diet and how your stomach has reacted?  I do cross-fit and have just started Paleo. So far my Colostomy has had nothing but soft unformed output.  Very messy. Changing the whole 2 piece system once a day and the bag at least 3x a day. I think I can irrigate but I wonder if on this diet my output would allow me.  I have been an ostomate for 4 years. It has been very traumatic and haven't dealt with it really well.  I'm sure no one does. I tried irrigating very early after receiving my colostomy and emotionally shut down. So stopped and said I'll do it another day.  We might be at that other day now? Help if you can..Thx

Hello, I have had an Illeostomy for 11 years this coming April, mine is on my right side and I change the whole thing Mondays and Fridays unless something unforseen happens.

I do have very loose stool but assumed it was the coffee but recently I was sick and went to the Dr for nausea problems and besides prilosec he noticed my bag was very loose and suggested I take metamusil which I am doing and it is a big improvement. I only eat breakfast and my main meal between 2 and 3 pm that way I am pretty cleaned out by bedtime and eat a snack at about 11.30pm and then I sleep all night and am fine to empty not much but I don't have to get up in the night if I ate a big meal at normal evening time. I hope this is what you were talking about and I hope it is a help. I just joined this club and my first answer.

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I've been Paleo for 9 months. I also have an ileo, so the results may differ for a colostomy. I've found that as long as I chew my food really well and not eat too much of the cabbage family or raw veggies at once, I'm good - output-wise. I do a few raw nuts and super dark chocolate for snacks, and mainly eat some combination of meat and veggies for a meal. Mixing it up and making sure to have food made and ready to go has been the hardest part for me. I do cheat once in a while (85/15 rule), and if I get sick from some food, I don't eat or drink it again.
I started Paleo because it really helped my brother lose weight and balance his hormones and system - and I saw the difference. I wanted that. I was also hoping it would solve my systemic issues (arthritis, acne, always on the verge of being sick, or being sick), like I read in the books, but it hasn't helped with that - uhh, sigh. I've found it to be a good way to control weight - making my system run on fat and protein, instead of carbs.
Stoma output-wise, having some carbs mixed in with the rest makes it smoother. I've had much trouble finding an appliance system that works. I was having to change every day or two before and now I go 5 days. (Most of the people in the ostomy support group said they changed once a week - so that's what I thought of as the norm). I use Hollister convex and mold 1/3 of a ring of stoma strip for extra convexity. I finish this off with a hernia belt to keep pressure on it 24/7. The changing still takes up a lot of my time and energy (the timing and cleaning), but I've been managing. This was after a second surgery to reshape my stoma, and many trials of combinations of products with many different ostomy nurses.
I know Brenda Elsagher (her book is always advertised at the top of this site) has a colostomy and irrigates. If you contact her, she may be able to help. (Check out her first book, or the newest one - I'm in it
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. Trying out some more systems with ostomy nurses may help you find a way to deal with your stoma.
Why did you start Paleo?

I have a colostomy and have been irrigating for 1.5 years now. It comfortably takes me about 2 hours to perform the irrigation and evacuation daily in the AM. I use a hernia support belt, along with a convex Hollister appliance and the irrigation sleeve. The process is performed 2X. Additionally I have a sprayer setup next to the toilet to clean out the sleeve. Bottom line is that I can get away with a stoma cap only. Naturally if I alter my diet or suffer some major GI distress there may be an issue but I estimate this occurs only 1X every few months.



The irrigation process has helped give me back semblance of my former existence. I would recommend that you investigate it for yourself.



I hope this helps. Let me know if you need any more info!

I do Paleo but I have a BCIR -  continent ileostomy. I only avoid any gas producing veggies if they bother me. Maybe start out eating only certain things and not to many mixes at first and see if anything is better in your system then get more creative. I did a lot of chicken and turkey at first then bison chilli, raw salads,etc.



I also Oly lift and crossfit.

My Ostomy Journey: April | Hollister