Waking Up in Pain: Seeking Advice for Morning Stomach Aches

Every morning I am awakened by pain in my tummy.  It is usually about 4am or so and will las t  until mid morning. Has anyone had this problem? I don't eat after 5 in the afternoon most of the time. I will usually just suck on a hard candy if I want something. I have had my illeostomy for2 1/2 yrs now. Also I keep searching for something to thicken the contents of the bag to try and keep food from passing thru so fast. I have troubles to keep myself hydrated so I figure if I can thicken it the fluid won't go 

Hi Swede0. Sorry nobody jumped in to help. Several folks have had success thickening the output. Unfortunately, I don't remember what they used except for marshmallows and, maybe, bananas. Maybe if you post a question specific to thickening, you'll get some suggestions.

We shouldn't have pain regularly. What do your doctors have to say about that?

Please stay in touch.

Mike

Hi SweedeO,  I am sorry that I missed your post too.  I would have answered sooner.  I can't help with the pain except to ask....could you be hungry and your stomach is filling up with air causing pain?  If I don't eat something every few hours, I have gas in my belly and it is uncomfortable.  Just a thought.  Regarding thickening up the liquid, my output varies throughout the day...liquid to pudding like.  To keep thick or firm, I eat potates, chips, pasta, lots of bread with butter, rice, yams, chicken, cookies, graham crackers.  When I eat veggies, salads, fruits, my output it thinner.  I read somewhere that cooked veggies provide better vitamins because they are easier to breakdown in the system.  I always preferred my veggies cooked.  Raw, with the exception of a salad, is not my favorite. 

To add to the thicken list, bananas and marshmellows...I don't really like them but they help. 

Keeping hydrated is tricky too.  I drink water and Gateraide along with lots of herbal tea.  I would drink the regular all day but it does dehydrate me with the caffeine.  I keep to two cups of regular in the morning and drink decaf the rest of the day.

Hope this helps.  Take care.  LH