Stoma worries

Hi Emma.

Welcome to the stoma support group, I am sorry to hear about your dad.

The green slimy output doesn't sound nice and I am wondering if your mum has given him something different to eat to change his output, like lots of green vegetables or has he had a change of medication in the last few days that could be the culprit.

I would suggest that he ups his fluid input to try and flush it out and also keep a food diary recording everything that goes into his mouth and also (sorry) keep a note on how his output looks for the rest of the weekend and contact his stoma nurse on Monday morning but if it gets any worse a quick call to NHS Direct on 111 to explain your concerns and hopefully you will be able to speak to the on call doctor, obviously if he has been started on some new medication he should continue to take it until a doctor says otherwise.

I do hope that it is something simple and will disappear as quick as it started 

It's a 100% better to speak with a doctor than worrying about it, please don't hesitate to make the call, that's why they are there and there is nothing wrong in doing it.

Would you mind coming back to us in a few days and letting us know how your dad is getting on and what caused it.

Take care

Ian

Hi Ian

Thank you for your reply

Dad was in the hospice nearly three weeks ago as his kidney function was poor, on his discharge he felt unwell and subsequently spent a week in bed with general fatigue and had some diarrhoea which the GP took a sample of to check for infection, he was suffering from anxiety and depression not able to pick himself up from feeling like this , GP has increased his MIrtazipine from 30mg to 45mg and also started him on Quietepine this is the only new medication started a week ago ?

Is it possible for the cancer to return in his bowel at this point?

I have suggested to mum that she contact his stoma nurse on Monday 

Thanks

Hi Emma

Thanks for coming back to me. I've had another look at this to make sure I was on the right track for you and have this for you.

Green poo -   Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea. As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely.   

Possible causes - Green leafy vegetables, green food coloring, such as in flavored drink mixes.

Ask your mum to restrict you dad's diet for the day with only small meals comprising of bland foods like banana, plain Boiled Rice. Mashed potatoes, apple sauce and toast.

She should also make sure dad does drink more than usual an extra glass of water after an episode should help but take care with caffeine drinks, any anything carbonated or anything alcoholic.

Going against all the advice we normally give here could you Google this "St Marks Drink" and see if you mum could make it or alternatively buy sachets of rehydration powders from a supermarket or Pharmacy

The good news is that green poo is considered normal, it's only when it becomes bright red or coal black that concerns should be made.

Still speak to stoma nurse on Monday

Keep in touch.

Ian