Color Logo for MeetAnOstoMate
Sponsored by Hollister
Login   |  
Forgot password?
 
Forum
Videos
Reviews
About Us
Color Logo for MeetAnOstoMate
Where Everybody Understands You
41,450 members
Sep 12, 2012

Struggling with Gastro and Ostomy Bag Leaks

Managing severe gastroenteritis-related ostomy leaks and high output can be quite challenging. This situation involves dealing with very high, watery output from an ileostomy, which can fill the pouch every 30 minutes. This frequent filling can lead to multiple appliance changes in a day, constant worry about nighttime leaks, and can cause skin irritation, sleep disruption, exhaustion, and weakness. Here are some helpful tips and advice to manage this condition:

1. If you experience significant weakness or signs of dehydration, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Many people recommend going to the emergency room for intravenous fluids and a thorough evaluation.

2. To stay hydrated, consider drinking electrolyte solutions like Gatorade G2 "Rain" to replenish fluids and salts lost due to frequent emptying.

3. For appliance adjustments:
- Try using a Marlin pouch with shallow convexity, as it may adhere better and reduce the risk of blow-offs during high-output episodes.
- Have a stoma nurse re-measure your stoma size. After surgery, the stoma can shrink, leading to mis-sized openings and leaks. Pre-cut wafers tailored to the new size can help prevent chronic leakage.

4. Protect your skin by changing appliances promptly and ensuring they are correctly sized. Consulting an ostomy nurse for barrier recommendations can help prevent further skin damage.

5. Consider output-control medications and bulking agents, but only under medical supervision:
- Some high-output patients have been prescribed up to 18 tablets of Imodium (loperamide) per day.
- Soluble fiber, such as Metamucil, can help thicken the output.
- Prescription oral bulking powders are also available to reduce liquidity.

6. Establish ongoing professional follow-up with both a gastroenterologist and an experienced Certified Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurse (CWOCN) to develop long-term management plans and ensure proper appliance fitting.
See full discusison
Gray Logo for MeetAnOstoMate
MeetAnOstoMate.org

MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,450 members.

“Every morning with my coffee, I read here and feel wrapped in warmth - I hardly post, but it still feels like family.”

“Our oncologist literally wrote down the link; they said more patients need this website.”

“This place pulled me out of the dark. I went from lurking to living again.”

“At 3am, someone’s awake somewhere in the world. I’m never alone here.”

Join Free

Popular Topics

Showering and Sauna Tips for Colostomy Users
Say hello to my little friend…
Hello everyone
Baby oil okay for pancaking?
Black Polyp on Stoma: Seeking Advice and Experiences
How do you clean the end of your drainable bag?
Living with a New Colostomy and Old Urostomy: Tips and Advice
UOAA Conference Photos
Friendship/relationship
Hellooooooo 👋🏻

New Topics

A CAT & A CLOCK
Fun with popcorn
Alcohol and Leakage Concerns for Ileostomates
Saturday Night at the Bodega
Cohesive Ring Swelling Around Stoma: Need Advice
Colostomy possible reversal
TO RHYME OR NOT TO RHYME
Questions About Eating After Ileostomy Surgery
New to ostomy
Being Greatful
About us | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Ostomy Blogs | Ostomy Q&A | Guides | Contact Us
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Service apply.
Copyright (c) MeetAnOstoMate.org All Rights Reserved
Create Account
Login
↑