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are we deficient in nutrients now?

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Posted 9/10/2010 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
because we can't absorb as much as people without pouches, are we permenantly deficient in some things now? i've done lots of research and can't find any info? anyone talk to their docs about this? i always wonder if i'm getting enough vitamins and minerals or if my body is going on less and that's why i'm always feeling run-down etc? i know not to limit salt intake but that's all i've heard about nutrition post-ostomy surgery. wisdom or insight? thanks so much!
Posted 9/10/2010 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Be sure to have your electrolytes checked off and on. Salt and potassium deficiency are most common. Lack of Vit. B12 is also very common as the terminal ileum is the only place in the body that this is absorbed. SOme now have that area made into an inner pouch, others of us now have it sticking out of us as in an ileostomy stoma. I have to get B12 shots monthly, but they are WORTH it. The whole nervous system can go down if you are B12 deficient, not to mention lesser issues like the exhaustion, etc. Also get your MMA (methylmalonic acid) checked. If MMA is high and B12 low or low normal, then you have pernicious anemia and need B12 shots monthly for life. Been there done this. That's how I know. Good luck, Rosemary

P.S. Headphones, congrats on your healthy baby, you are very lucky
Posted 9/10/2010 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
you are probably dehydrated. tiredness is one of the sympotoms.
But also, get some b vitamins chewable or sublingual and a good multi vitamin, dont laugh but flintstones with iron are great! and chewable so they get absorbed, and a sublingual b12 pill. that should help alot.
you also have a two year old so you might just have to wait 16 years :D I have a 5 year old, so i know how tiring they are,lol. I had my surgery when DS was almost two and he wore me out!
But really i find if i dont take my B vitamins for a day i get more tired. Oh and also, you should start taking a calcium pill, nothing to do with the ostomy, just this is a good age, try to get a chewable if you can.
Or if you can only find big pills, cut them into pieces so they will be smaller!
Posted 9/10/2010 10:59 AM (GMT 0)
You should have your family doc run bloodwork just to be safe.

I get mine done yearly just to check and I am fine...just a little low in Vit D and my GOOD Cholesterol is a little low but nothing is too low/serious. It just reminds me that I DO have to take my vitamins everyday!

Make sure you take daily vitamins...and YES Flintstones are one of the best for anyone! My Gyn even takes them every day:)

Try to increase your fluids with things other than water...V8 is a great way to get a little of both fluids and minerals!

Keep us posted:)
Posted 9/10/2010 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Headphones,
I have absorbing problems since my ostomy. I was down to 93# in May of this year and very malnourished so much so I had to go on TPN at home. Then I gained 30#'s in a month and my hip broke they think it was all related to my malnourishment. They put a spacer in my hip and are holding off on hip replacement until I build up my labs and weight. My doc put me on Creon which is something to do with the pancrease and yadayada and I am now up to 115#; but my hip replacement is still in waiting.

I take B12, Zinc, Vit D, multivitamin, calcium and several others. My doc said what your body doesn't need it flushes down so I don't worry much if I'm taking too many. My internal med doc really doesn't believe in them and my orthopedic surgeon does so I take what they tell me and hope for the best.

Good Luck
Cathy
Posted 9/10/2010 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Don't assume that you are deficient. Ask for a CBC and make sure they check the boxes for B-12 and Vitamin D. Many of us are not deficient and have not had damage to the terminal ileum. However, many do. You won't know which camp you're in until you get screened.

Sue
Posted 9/10/2010 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
     I asked my surgeon about vitamins and he said as long as you eat a well balanced diet there is no need for vitamins.  But, I have osteoporosis....thank you prednisone eyes ...and always took calcium with D but since my ileostomy I take the chewable calcium tablets whether or not my surgeon agrees.
Posted 9/10/2010 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
thanks guys! i have cbc's fairly regularly and all i ever look at is my SED rate, which is high right now. think i'm flaring. have the nodules on my knees that kill and back and neck pain. at least with the ostomy i don't have miserable cramping and diareah! i'll look into my b-12, calcium, potasium and the MMA thing (never heard of that!). i know i get enough d because i take plenty and eat lots of salt. oh and sumemrstorm, i'm sure i don't drink enough H2O. never been a huge liquids drinker but i really need to work on that. and having a 2.5 year old DOES wear me out, ha! thank you all so much!
Posted 9/13/2010 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
headphones,

Yes do try to drink 2 quarts of water (liquid) per day to increase urine output. We without colons are prone to kidney stones due to no longer having the absorption capacity of our colon to pull water back into our bodies which in turn flush through our kidneys to purify them. It does not mean we will get a kidney stone, we are just more prone that's all. So drink, drink, drink.

The MMA thing is a well kept secret.

Good luck with the 2.5 year old. Rosemary
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