Ileostomy going over load

Hi HazG Diarrhoea is unfortunately one of the side effects of chemo and with a stoma it’s important to find the right balance between staying hydrated and not overdoing it. I think tea and coffee are not recommended as they have a slight dehydrating effect due to the caffeine. Do you like fruit teas at all? Or maybe a different squash - my go to was blackcurrant! 

I’ve attached a link to a booklet which advises some of the foods to avoid if you’re struggling with diarrhoea but not specifically with a stoma. With that in mind I would suggest that you ring either the chemo ward/helpline or your stoma nurse to ask their advice. They may advise you to start taking immodium/lopermide to slow your output and may suggest taking something like diarolyte to replace lost electrolytes. You should have been given a 24 hour chemo helpline which is for help and not just emergencies so don’t be afraid to use it.

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/RegainingBowelControl_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Hope things start to settle down soon. In normal circumstances there are some foods that thicken output like rice, pasta, marshmallows, jelly babies and wine gums but please run this problem past the nurses first to be on the safe side

Take care

Karen x

Thank you yes they gave me imodium to take I was worried about stoping my output and getting a blockage all these things we have to think I about  

thsnks for posting goods ideas xx

• Hi HazG, I share your  problem with watery ileostomy output, though not for same reason as you. I've only had my ileostomy for 6+ weeks now but this has been an issue from the off. I am on max loperamide and codeine. I am told that it is not really possible to get constipated or stop output from an  ileostomy using these meds. Like you, I am concerned about dehydration, damage to kidneys etc as a result of excessive stoma output and it is a real risk. I have been on St Mark's Solution rather than Dioralyte and don't drink any additional water or other fluids except for 2 cups of tea  per day (I have to have some respite from the St Mark's!) The solution is easy to make - glucose, bicarb of soda and salt (just google the 'recipe') and stops your losing too much of the salts and minerals the body needs. It's similar to Dioralyte in that respect, but you should  use one or the other, not both.
• Good luck, HazG. You're obviously having a hard time of it.  Best wishes, Osboz