Please advise
I have had my colostomy for over 20 years. Lately, my output is erratic and watery. Sometimes I don't have output for a couple of days, and other times I have multiple outputs during the day. I would like to have, as much as possible, a more predictable output.
My question is, should I take a fiber supplement or change my eating habits (which I don't want to)? I enjoy most foods.
Would appreciate any advice - email:
I've had a colostomy for 1 1/2 years, 66 years old.
My output is thick, but unpredictable. Sometimes I go 2 days with no output. Other days I empty the bag 2 times in an hour. The only thing so far that creates very thick, sticky output is popcorn. I don't keep a food diary. That would be a step you could take for analysis of food vs. output.
Or consult with a gastro doctor. Maybe get a CT scan or colonoscopy.
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Sounds like normal colostomy activity to me. I think to have a regular schedule of pooping, you'd have to basically eat, drink, and do the same thing every day. Who wants to live like that? 🤮 Live life like you wanna and poop when you gotta. 😎
Foods that cause a thicker, slower output
• Ileostomy only: Crackers, pasta, rice, ripe bananas, toast, yogurt, milk (preferably boiled), creamy peanut butter, breads, cheeses, potatoes
• Apple sauce, unripe bananas, boiled rice, peanut butter, tapioca toast, white bread, potatoes, pasta, crackers, weak tea, marshmallows, jellybeans
As BB mentioned, you may want to keep a food diary. An app such as "mySymptoms Food Diary" can make tracking food and symptoms easier.
Ileostomy here - Psyllium fiber powder (Costco) in a smoothie with banana and vanilla almond milk (Walmart) around 10 a.m. daily does the trick for me in terms of regulating. I do not use the fiber in my morning coffee (although that has been suggested) so coffee is the same as ever - coffee in, coffee out - just can't bring myself to ruin my morning wake-up buddy with dealer add-ons…
I eat everything but lettuce - the shreds drive me crazy sticking to the inside of the bag…jb
Below - for your viewing pleasure: Psyllium Fiber Picture
Too funny. Thought it was gonna be a picture of shredded lettuce, bagged of course. 😁
Thank you for your advice. Just hate the watery output at inopportune times.
Thank you for your advice. Just hate the watery output at inopportune times.
Thank you for your advice. Just hate the watery output at inopportune times.
Thank you for your advice. Just hate the watery output at inopportune times.
Thank you for your advice. Just hate the watery output at inopportune times.
I've had my colostomy since 2015 and my doctor told me from the start, fiber helps to bulk it up. It worked for me. Of course, there will still be days that it might go off, but that is usually due to drinking soda products, for me, or if you happen to get a stomach bug. Also, irrigating helps you control the all-day output. Irrigate in the morning or night and usually go all day without a worry.
I have worked with a dietitian who works at the gastro office. She moved me to two things that really seemed to help me: first, a fiber called Sunfiber 31, and second, a probiotic called ProbioMax DF Daily. I had taken other products for both fiber and probiotics, but these two are the best combo for me unless I indulge foolishly, and then all bets are off. As always, best of luck with that.