ileo output

Hello everyone, 7 weeks since my surgery (permanent ileostomy) my output still hasn't slowed down any, I read in my material the cleveland clinic gave me and have read on this site about using imodium, they say take 2 tablets 30 minutes before meals and 2 tablets before bed, how often do you use it and do you use it everyday? I would think using too much of it might cause complications.

Hi Mustang, I've been having the same problems ....and Im 3 months into it ... It apparently can take a while. I do eat the thickening foods ... cheese, rice, pasta ...marshmallows ...but can't say I find they work for me very often. I wasn't taking enough immodium ...I found when I upped my dose it worked a little better... I take 2 at a time ....before bed ...first thing in morning and one or two in afternoon..... but, not every day as I'm sure it can't be good for you all the time. My output of both urine and stool can be up to 3 litres a day.... I take note so I can keep up with fluids....you don't want to get dehydrated. I get my reversal next month so I suppose I'm not too worried .... Hope it gets better for you

I usually eat oatmeal and half a muffin with peanut butter on it for breakfast if not that I eat one egg and half a muffin, sometimes I don't eat anything for lunch if I do eat it is a sandwich and a few chips, for supper I try to eat rice or potatoes with my meal, I don't eat a lot of sweets although I have eaten some due to Christmas, I drink a small bit of pepsi in the evenings, maybe a third of a bottle, They did mention metamucil in my instructions, I haven't tried marshmallows but I will, I've read as Ohio says that things will get better down the road I hope thats true for me, I can't imagine golfing when I am like this or hunting with friends, I guess there are tricks to learn to help deal with it, I am just trying to stay upbeat and not get depressed, thanks for your help.

66 mustang guy~you'll be golfing and hunting before you know it

You are only 7 weeks out and remember...small meals (or snacks) throughout the day will keep your system processing food. I find that if I miss a meal/snack it messes up my system for a little while. Pretzels or peanut butter crackers are good for snacks since they have some salt to help retain water and will give you the needed food. If you don't have other medical issues you should salt your food, too, since that helps ileostomates retain fluids as well.

You should have just had your 6 week check up...is your surgeon concerned?

What color is your Mustang?????

I also suffered from too much output after my temporary loop ileo and found that eating baby food bananas really helped to thicken the output up. I also took immodium, but only if my output exceeded the 1200ml per day. Real bananas give me diarrhea, so I stick to the pureed bananas.

I am now 6 months out from surgery and have seen a huge improvement with the output. It is definitely less and has thickened up some.

Your body will adjust. It has not gotten the signal that your colon is out of the picture and that the small intestine needs to absorb more fluid, but hang in there, it will.

about the immodium, my doctor said I can take it everyday if I wanted to. Ask your doctor and see what his view on this may be.

hi im only just 3 weeks out of the surgery but im on immodium, im prescribed for one at a time 4 times a day but they said il see myself how many i need, i usually take 2 now, morning and night, ive found that my output is still liquid in the morning though, doesnt seen to matter what i do, thought it was cos i went so long without eating but ate in the middle of the night last night when i got up to empty bag and liquid this morning. was worried about it still being so liquidy until i read this thread,much better now, but hate this whole waiting months to get better thing