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Dehydration question...

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Posted 1/23/2012 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Will the stoma look different if someone is dehydrated?   Will it look more wrinkly?  I am worried that Brandon is getting dehydrated again...headache, stomach cramps, etc.  I am pumping the liquids into him but we just changed the wafer and his stoma look very wrinkly.  Not sure if that is a sign of dehydration.

As always, I appreciate the feedback.  This site has been a wealth of information for us!!

Pam

Posted 1/24/2012 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Is he outputting very rapidly into the bag? Does he need an IV at the local hospital? I never heard of a wrinkly stoma. Sorry cannot help there. Is he urinating at all? Rosemary
Posted 1/24/2012 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
When I take a shower, my stoma gets wrinkly and then puffs back up... I think that's just peristalsis (motion of intestines).... I usually only see changes in the shower, because other times I'm trying to cover it up immediately.... but my stoma really can look different. You might not have looked at it enough before to have noticed how it can move ...

I have an end ileo, though, so I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes.

I think your others signs of dehydration are more reliable. Is he peeing? If so, is it dark or clear? (you want more clear). He probably knows what it feels like by now w/the dizziness etc.

One way I could always tell how dehydrated I was was by drinking plain pedialyte. When I'm dehydrated, it doesn't taste that different from water, but when I'm not, it tastes disgusting.

Is he getting some salt/sugar w/the fluids to keep up electrolytes?

Hope he's better soon.
Posted 1/24/2012 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
     My stoma is always wrinkly..thought that was normal..lol.  But then again, I am 65 yrs old...maybe it gets wrinkly the older you are smilewinkgrin .
Posted 1/24/2012 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Stomas are constantly going through their motions. Mine is never smooth, and often seems to be making squinchy, wrinkly faces. I would not think it is a sign of dehydration. There are real signs of dehydration, like lots of sort of clear water filling up the bag often, not peeing enough to match the amount you are drinking, and dehydration will also make you feel very bad, listless, dull, lethargic. Even skin gets dry.
Posted 1/26/2012 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I got severely dehydrated a couple of months ago and didn't know what it was. I was getting terrible leg cramps and charlie horse cramps. People told me I needed more Potassium so I was eating bananas and drinking V-8, the problem was that I was NOT drinking enough water and electrolytes. The surgeon ordered a blood test and called me immediately and said to get to the hospital because I was in kidney failure. I went to the E.R. and was admitted. My blood levels were TERRIBLE, I was severely dehydrated. My Potassium was waaaaay high because when your kidneys start failing the potassium goes up they said so all the V-8 was NOT a good idea. They kept me for 3 days and pumped antibiotics and IV in me 24/7 until my levels came down a little. I had a terrible urinary track infection too. My Iliostomy was putting out to fast so that's when they put me on the Lomotil to slow it all down. The doctor had me to measure how much was coming out each day and I had to make sure that I was taking in "more" fluids then I was putting out. So now I drink almost a gallon of fluids a day, mostly water and 2-3 Gatorade a day help with the electrolytes and is cheaper than pedialite. My levels have been good ever since but I literally drink all day long, I don't want to go through this scare again. I downloaded an app on my iPhone called Water Tracker and it reminds me to drink and records how much water I drink each day. It has helped a lot. Good luck.
Posted 1/27/2012 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks amused for that tip re: the app. I am going to download it now. I always use a 590 ml Rubbermade water bottle so, in theory, I know how much I am drinking. However, after about the third refill, I tend to lose count. I'm sure that app will help!
Posted 1/27/2012 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
My stoma was always wrinkly for the three months I had one. There is an oral rehydration solution that you can easily make. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_rehydration_therapy the info to make it is on Wikipedia. My ET nurse told me that it's similar to Gatorade, and that Gatorade is a good drink to restore electrolytes. The colon absorbs most nutrients and water from the stool. That said it's important for people with an ileostomy to drink 2.5-3 liters of water a day. I usually get a 710ml Gatorade bottle and drink 4 each day. Sodium is also important since you lose a lot when you are dehydrated, chicken broth is a good source of sodium. Ileosmates should be taking a higher sodium intake than people with a colon.
Posted 1/27/2012 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
don't think wrinkly stoma means much.
The other signs of dehydration you point out do. You must stay on top of that. Be careful what liquids you are pumping in him. Anything with sugar (like gatorade and G2) can actually increase output. Use a WHO solution. Or even pedialyte.
Other few tips to avoid dehydration.. make sure he is sipping throughout the day, not chugging large volumes. don't drink when eating, avoid sugary foods, avoid greasy foods, don't intake hot liquids like broth, hot chocolate - they can cause inccreased output, focus on "bulking" foods - rice, peanut butter, applesauce.
good luck.
Posted 1/27/2012 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for the feedback.   Much appreciated!!
Posted 1/28/2012 10:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi when I was going through my radiation treatment, the nutritionist told me to drink Gateraid or staminade as they have all the salts in them, if you are concerned about hydration, perhaps you should ask you Pharmacist if the have a drink or ice lollies you can give yo son that taste nice. my stoma is always moving and is sometimes wrinkled, I wouldn't take this as a sign, i would be relying more on his fluid output and general health, he can get head aches also, but I do think prevention is better than cure and if you can find a drink he likes to drink and will hydrate him, it will go a long way. Maggie
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