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probiotic capsules and ileostomies...can i swallow?

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Posted 3/21/2008 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all,

I recently bought these probiotics, I bought the more expensive ones because the girl at GNC told me they were small tablets. Well i got home and theyr pretty big capsules. Not too big for me to swallow but i'm afraid of them getting stuck in my stoma. Is this possible? I dont know the rate of absorbtion for them. Im trying to jump on track and contribute to my own healing as well as my doc. But i dont want n e complications. Can capsules get stuck in ur stoma?

Posted 3/23/2008 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi prayer,

You should talk to your stoma nurse. What type of coating do the capsules have? If there is any kind of coating, or if they are gel-tabs, your stoma will spit them right back out the same way they went in. I tried taking Allegra ( a coated capsule) with my ileostomy and please imagine my shock and chagrin when the pill was found floating in the bag. It's also the reason the nurses will tell you to take regular tablet pain relievers instead of "fast-acting" because with an ileostomy your digestive process is considerably shortened and there isn't enough time for those coated or gelled thingies to dissolve. So, will it get stuck in your stoma, probably not. Will it dissolve into your system - likewise, probably not if it is coated or gelled.
Posted 3/23/2008 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
interesting topic- I currently take Culturelle, which is a normal sized capsule filled with powder. I like it, & would like to continue taking it after my surgery, but am not sure if it will dissolve. I suppose I could open the caps & dump them in some food, like applesauce??? hhm... anyway- for those of you who do use probiotics, please share what kind, what type of delivery system, etc!

Posted 3/24/2008 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
i have better luck with the gel tabs. A while back, i had a cold and i was takign the regular tylenol cold and advil, and i wasn't feeling any better, and i got to thinking,i bet those arent' absorbing, so i bought the gel kind and i started feeling better.
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