This topic is about someone who has an ileostomy and is dealing with kidney issues that lead to water retention. They notice that when they drink a lot of fluids, especially at night, clear liquid seems to leak from around their stoma, causing the pouch to leak. Despite being told by stoma nurses that this shouldn't happen, the problem persists, and they are seeking advice from others who might have experienced something similar.
Here are some helpful suggestions and insights:
1. Consult with specialists: It's recommended to see a nephrologist for the kidney-related water retention and a colorectal surgeon or an experienced ostomy physician to check the stoma. A well-constructed stoma should be watertight at the junction where it meets the skin.
2. Consider the nature of the leakage:
- The clear "water" might actually be very thin, watery output from the ileostomy.
- If the output is mostly liquid or mucus, it can drip continuously.
- Sleeping on your back can worsen night-time pooling, as bile-rich fluid can collect against the seal and break it down.
3. Mechanical troubleshooting tips:
- When you notice seepage, remove the pouch, clean any trapped food particles or liquid from inside the flange with a wet wipe, and apply a new pouching system.
- Check if food debris inside the wafer opening is causing liquid to wick behind the flange. Adjusting the fit or using barrier rings or paste might help.
4. Rule out other medical causes: Consult a knowledgeable physician to rule out other conditions that might cause clear abdominal fluid, such as pancreatitis, as unusual drainage can sometimes be a sign of other issues.
5. Educational resource: For a better understanding of stoma construction and potential problem areas, you can refer to an illustrated overview available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5498169/. This can be useful when discussing the issue with healthcare providers.
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