Topic Explanation:
The discussion in the forum revolves around the experience of dealing with a stomach flu or similar gastrointestinal upset when one has a colostomy. The original poster shares their unexpected and intense experience of their ostomy bag filling up unusually during the night due to the illness, which is a deviation from their normal experience where the bag does not typically fill up at night. This situation has led them to reflect on the challenges of managing a colostomy in conjunction with a stomach bug.

Advice and Insights from Replies:
1. Hydration:
- It is crucial to maintain high fluid intake during a stomach bug to compensate for the increased output. Suggestions include alternating between water and Gatorade to keep hydrated.

2. Managing Output:
- One user mentioned that ileostomies might differ from colostomies in terms of overnight output, indicating that the urgency and management might vary depending on the type of ostomy.
- Another user shared their personal routine of burping the bag during the night to manage the output without having to get up, which might be a useful tip for some ostomates.

3. Duration and Recovery:
- Experiences with the duration of such illnesses among ostomates can vary, with one user mentioning their stomach bug lasted for three days. This suggests that individuals should be prepared for the illness to potentially last more than just 24 hours.
- The consumption of isotonic drinks was recommended by a user who experienced the norovirus, noting that these drinks helped manage quick stomach outputs and aided in recovery by providing essential electrolytes and reducing weakness.