Struggling with Low Potassium and High Output After Ileostomy

Hi everyone                                                                                                                                                                             I am new to this as my operation was just twelve days ago. A stricture from my small intestine was removed and temporary ileostomy put in. I have Crohns and I am on 5mg of steroids and eight imodium to slow down bag. I was meant to be released from hospital two days ago but I am still here due to low potassium levels and output over a litre. It was slowing down but yesterday was over a litre and a half. I just want to live normally with this and go home. I feel like I will never get out and this bag will never slow down. I have been sticking to a low residue diet and slowly sipping water throughout day. Would psyllium seed help? If I eat marshmallows or jellies to slow it should I eat them before meals r throughout day? Should I stop taking proton inhibitors so stomach acid is more active to digest meat?                                        I would really appreciate any advice experienced people have to slow this down so I can get back to living. I am pregnant and have been in pain for a long time and was in hospital the start of December getting a ng tube so I wouldnt need an operation. I feel like I am goin mad. Everything I do or try to do to fix this there is a problem with nothing is straight forward. I am afraid to take a gulp of water in case the bag fills. Everyday they take blood in morning say its low put me on potassium and magnesium drip test my blood say its back up and then it goes low in the morning again.                                                                                        Thanks for listening and I appreciate any advice you have.

Escobar,



I hope you are getting medical advice. One thing you have to remember is that you had traumatic surgery and it does take a while to 'normalize'. Are you allowed to take Imodium?This might slow things down. I know it helps some, but not everybody. I know in some extremes they prescribe opium derivatives, but I am not sure you can take these as you are pregnant. It is important to keep your fluid intake up and not down. As for the potassium, I believe they can put  you on potassium pills and a dietician should help you with foods that are high in potassium such as bananas. Hang in there, you'll be fine. It will take some time.



X_

Thanks for your reply Xerxes I m on supplements of potassium and to be honest I dont if they are causing diarrohae. I take liquid Imodium the equivalant of eight tablets a day the doctor now says he wants me to try codeine but dont really want to take it with pregnancy but do I have a choice do the benefits out weigh the dangers. I just hope everything will calm down by itself but its nearly two weeks since the operation.      Thanks again