HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Stomach bug!

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/25/2011 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
So, my husband so sweetly decided to share his stomach bug with me. The only way I knew I had it was b/c I was so sick to my stomach. Now, my stoma is putting out so MUCH!! I am literally drinking soup, and watching it come out into my bag at the same time! Anyone have a stomach bug with a stoma? I don't know what to do. I'm worried about dehydrating. I tried Pepto & Imodium. That still did not work!
Posted 11/25/2011 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry. No one around me has been sweet enough to share such a bug, so no personal experience yet (and I hope not for a long time).... it sounds like you're doing the right things..... you might need to go in and get some IV fluids if you can't keep up.

I know it's important to get some electrolytes and not just drink straight water if you're drinking a lot. Gatorade can be bad because of all the sugar.... I used to drink pedialyte before my surgery.... there are also recipes for homemade solutions, e.g. http://clearingmyemptynest.blogspot.com/2009/02/oral-rehydration-solution-homemade.html

Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 11/25/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Jellybean if this does not stop get to an ER right away and get an IV you can and will dehydrate.

Home treatment, 2 immodium EZ chews and if that does not work, 2 more. It says not more than 4 in 24 hours but for those with ileostomies I think 6 are safe even. Let that kick in. It should eliminate the cramps and slow the flow.

ONLY AFTER you have slower more normal flow is it advisable to drink anything (just in my experience) as when I drank ANYTHING it seemed to speed things up. I found that I had to avoid salt as that really speeds me up, but you will be salt depleted. This is a personal issue if you can withstand salted drinks at this time or not. Do stay away from any sugar and go for the UNFLAVORED Pedialyte.

Good luck. . God Bless.....been there and done that. Rosemary
Posted 11/25/2011 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Oh man, that sounds terrible. I second the advice they gave you. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 11/25/2011 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Oddly, as you would think those of us with an IBD would maybe get more stomach bugs that most, I haven't had one even when husband has had them. Catch colds and viruses like they are going out of fashion but not stomach bugs. Weird!

Anyway, if I get dehydrated I drink a can of full fat coca cola that has gone flat. It rehydrates me really quickly and stops the queasy feeling. Sugar can make some people stoma more productive but doesn't have that effect on me. Although you want output to slow down you also want body to get rid of the bug so not sure whether slowing it down too much will make bug last longer, like I say not been in that position from a stomach bug so not sure. I would also keep up salt intake by eating crisps, something like wotsits/quavers that sort of melt on the tongue so nothing to digest but have salt in them to keep those levels up.

Hope things settle down soon for you and think husband owes you some flowers or chocs ( for when you feel better).
Posted 11/26/2011 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
so this might sound really silly but i thought to myelf ive heard that when you leak a lot (when trying to change) marshmallows slow it up so...what if you ate marshmallows and the drink water right after and maybe it will absorb just a thought !! :) hope you figure something out soon
Posted 11/26/2011 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice! I have had this for a week! It started getting better yesterday, but my out-put is still liquid green and coming alot. I'm craving salt badly. I really don't want to go to the ER, but I'm worried I am dehydrated.
Posted 11/26/2011 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Jelly,

A WEEK!!! You can get kidney damage!!! Get to the ER stat, tell them you have an ileostomy, describe your output. They will give you an IV with antinausea med and likely some immodium???? They will help you. Go! Rosemary
Posted 11/26/2011 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Can you at least call your dr's office and talk to whoever is on call? I agree w/Rosemary that you need some medical advice. It can be serious if you get to dehydrated. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 11/26/2011 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Do you guys feel like I should call the Dr on call? I hate to sound needy to them.
Posted 11/26/2011 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Jelly,

Go for it. Your kidneys can never be the same letting things go this long. This is your life and your body. These docs get paid to be on call. It is their job. If I were you and my stoma were still going off like a fire hydrant, I would have been at the ER at the end of day one. I remember I had this for 9 hours one time and got so dehydrated I had dry heaves then passed out. LUCKILY the immodium kicked in just then and I could start to drink. BUT this is nothing to fool with.

Rosemary
Posted 11/26/2011 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I think you should call. You've had liquid output for a week, and that's a serious thing with an ileo. Be sure to tell them you have an ileo and make sure you're talking to someone who knows something about it....

You are not being a hypochondriac here..... and yes, you are in need of some medical advice, and maybe some treatment.... if they tell you you're fine (and they know what they're talking about) that's a great outcome! If not, then you can go get what you need.....

I do understand about worrying about overreacting and bothering people, but they are just doing their job, and it's not like you're calling because you got a papercut....

Let us know how it goes....
Posted 11/26/2011 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your help. I called the on call Dr. To keep me out of the ER he said increase my Imodium to 4 pills/day, Metamucil 2x/day, and keep taking this other med I take to thicken my output. He said it may take 24 or 48hrs to work, but if I start feeling really dehydrated will go from there. He was very nice.
Posted 11/26/2011 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you called, you're welcome. Hope you start feeling better soon (or relatively soon), and definitely call back if things get worse....
Posted 11/27/2011 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you. Glad you called. See these on call docs are just that: on call. Now you have a plan. Another time do not wait. We with ileostomates need faster attention than those colon intact people or even those with colostomies. The colon is the organ that absorbs water and electrolytes back into the body. Electrolytes are important for muscle action inlcuding the heart. severe dehydration can actually lead to kidney failure if let go on for too long. It's on all the ostomy group boards just google "ileostomy dehydration". Good for you for getting help. Hope you get better soon. What a week you have had. Rosemary
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply