This topic is about a person experiencing a persistent, glue-like residue in their ileostomy output, which has been a mystery for nearly a year. This sticky substance is causing significant inconvenience and distress. Here are some insights and advice that might help:

1. **Medical Evaluation**:
- It's important to consult with a gastroenterologist. They can perform stool analysis and blood tests to check for issues like fat-malabsorption, infections, gallbladder problems, or pancreatic involvement.
- Bringing a sample of the sticky substance to the clinic could help in analyzing it further.

2. **Hydration and Flushing**:
- Low fluid intake might contribute to the stickiness. Increasing water consumption and reducing coffee and soda could help.
- Keeping a water bottle handy and adding water to the pouch before emptying can dilute the output and protect the wafer.

3. **Appliance and Adhesive Considerations**:
- Barrier rings and wafers might break down into a sticky paste when exposed to certain conditions. Changing them daily or every other day, avoiding excessive rinsing, and sleeping on the stomach or side might help.
- Testing a spare ring or wafer in your output can show if it turns sticky within your usual wear time.
- If the stickiness is related to wear time, consider using deeper convexity, extended-wear wafers, or products designed for caustic output.

4. **Skin Care and Cleanup**:
- Using adhesive-remover sprays or wipes can help dissolve the residue on the skin. Follow up with mild soap and water for cleaning.

5. **Positioning While Sleeping/Working**:
- Avoid lying flat on your back, as this can cause the output to pool against the wafer and speed up its breakdown.

6. **Emotional Support**:
- It's important to seek support from healthcare professionals and others who have faced similar challenges. Continuing discussions with a colorectal surgeon, ostomy nurses, and a GI team can be beneficial in finding a solution.