Firming up stoma output

Quick update,  tried porridge,  marshmallow and many packs of jelly babies, still pure liquid. Spoke to stoma nurse, says it will  settle in time but getting depressed with all the leaks and emptying  bag 5/6 times a day plus at least once during the night. Gp phoned today to say I am not entitled to more supplies till February,  wish they had to live with the joys of a stoma

I also have to empty my bag 5 to 6 times a day and once during the night. In the morning the output which eventually arrives about 8-9 am is very loose., so when I have breakfast it includes two cream crackers as well and then bread type snacks before second big meal at midday when I again have two cream crackers. I find output has thickened up by early afternoon and stays like that until I go to bed and also when I get up during the night. I've also previously tried the things you mentioned but gave up as they also didn't work for me. Occasionally I take one loperamide but it's nevermore than twice a week. When I change the pouch I use dry wipes to remove output congealed on the top, and wipes dipped in warm water to clean around the stoma finishing off with dry wipes. Before fitting the new pouch I stand in front of the radiator for half a minute with the stoma half an inch away from the metal. After fitting the stoma I then open the front 'window' and run my finger around the perimeter of the stoma cutout and elsewhere that's within reach several times to ensure that it's well pressed onto the skin. Then repeat the exercise with the radiator before smoothing down as per nurse and product instructions. I don't use a flange and, thank god, I haven't had any leaks since adopting the fitting procedure described above about 3 months ago.
btw Pouches are available on eBay! Hope some of this might be helpful.

I suggest that 5/6 times a day plus once during the night is not unusual (for an ileostomy). It is frustrating to hear of patients being denied adequate supplies to control a deeply personal condition brought about by remedial surgery. The main thing is not to over-order supplies to stockpile them and then establish a fairly regular routine for repeat prescriptions. I calculate mine on the basis of a stoma change every 48 hours without fail and aim to keep a minimum of about 12 days supply in stock. Was it the GP who phoned or one of the backroom staff who might be ignorant of the condition and the requirements to manage it. It might help your case to seek support from the hospital stoma nurses who - in my experience - are first class.

Dulac

Hi.sorry to hear you are having problems.If its an ileostomy you have then as others say emptying 5/6 times during the day and at least once at night is quite normal..you do get used to doing it without waking fully with practise.

As for leaks I found convex bags a game changer.Its all about what works for you personally.

Kath

Thanks all, I have a colostomy so output shouldn't be so loose, my stoma is just under my breast  so my ribs seem to catch it, trying dry crackers next

I give in, dry crackers didn't work,  presumably I will have to be patient.  

So sorry to hear that milkmaid.

Over the last two weeks I've started to grind the half dozen cream crackers per day because my teeth were becoming painful. I partly dip a teaspoon into honey then dip that into the ground mixture. For me they have definitely worked as I don't require any loperamide at all. 

Best of luck for the future.

Hi Milkmaid66,

I haven't been on her for a bit so have only just spotted this thread.

I have a high output stoma and nothing in terms of what I eat makes a real difference.. I|  can eat the same thing and it'll have different effects on different days, so I've given up bothering and just eat what I want now!

My output meant I was emptying my bag about 10 times a day including 2-3 times a night. I was on Loperamide soon after surgery but it made absolutely no difference. I now take Lansoprazole and codeine and while that has slowed things down and I now have to empty my bag about 7 times a day including just once at night (which is the best bit!). It has only made a slight difference to consistency, which can vary form watery to toothpaste over the course of the day. I've had it all explored by the gastroenterologist and the conclusion was that I have short bowel syndrome, not due to the surgery, so the frequency and consistency issues come with that. I'm not delighted to be taking medication long-term, but I can't deny that it has helped, although it doesn't seem like it will get better than it is now.

If you're at an early stage then time might make a difference, but if not. do ask for a gastroenterology referral to make sure there is  nothing else going on. Sometimes radiotherapy can cause these problems, apparently and there is a battery of tests that they can do do check this out. Not sure what the treatment is for this though, as this turned out not to be my issue.

I wish you al the best. It takes time to adapt to this new way of living!

Osboz

Thanks, I will be patient but getting used to it now, diet makes no difference so I eat things I like, silver lining!