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solidifying agents

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Posted 11/14/2015 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I have sbs with ileo and very liquid, very unfriendly output and leakage problems. I recently heard about solidifying agents and am very excited about how this may help.

So, I purchased Gel-X tablets and found that it did almost nothing to thicken the output. I tried different numbers of tablets (1-6) and using it day and night. According to what I have read, it does work, but just not for me. I realize that we are all unique and that nothing works for everyone. I just wondered if anyone else was having trouble with Gel-X tablets and if anyone had any suggestions.

I plan on trying some other brands and other forms of solidifying agents, but would very much like comments from others that have had success with gelling products.

Thanks, cool

Post Edited (Mom_in_oh) : 11/14/2015 5:34:13 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/14/2015 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I never had success with those types of product. The best way is to try and thicken your output through diet. Things like mashed potato, pasta, white rice, peanut butter, apple sauce, jelly (jello to our US friends), jam (jelly to our US friends), white bread, noodles. Try something like a peanut butter and jam sandwich on white bread, followed by a large spoon of apple sauce. You could also add in a couple of immodium, but that may be a step too far and result in pancaking!
Posted 11/14/2015 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Silent Lucidity,

Yup, I have had my ileo for 26 years and have used that type of diet plus 5 immodiums (chewed) twice per day (less immodium than that => major diarrhea and major dehydration).

I agree with you, it does help immensley to follow an appropriate diet with immodium thrown in there, however, due to the shortness of the bowel, I do still have problems.

Thank you so much for your answer. I will not be so discouraged if the solidifying agents don't work for me either. They sure did sound great though.

Dang it! :)
Posted 11/14/2015 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, I just realised sbs was an abbreviation for short bowel syndrome. I don't have that problem, so my answer wasn't entirely in tune with your circumstances. Here's an off the wall thought, here in the UK we can buy blocks of jelly (jello), that are diluted with hot water, then cooled for the finished product. How about taking a chunk of this, and placing inside your bag? If it worked, it would also be much cheaper than "official" ileo products!
Posted 11/15/2015 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Silent Lucidity,
Sounds like a good suggestion. I will look into it. :)
Posted 11/15/2015 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
It would smell good coming out as well!
Posted Yesterday 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
The GelX worked ok for me. However the best were Diamond sachets. I had to order them from Amazon because they were difficult to find elsewhere.
Posted 12/7/2015 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
I second the Diamonds sachets. @SLF, have you tried ordering directly from OSTOmysecrets? Diamonds are like $25 / tub, which is significantly cheaper than anyplace I've seen.

Gel-X and other products like it may not work if there's a lot of sodium or potassium in your output, and I've done experiments, as well as had conversations with the manufacturer about this. For example, if you were to drink prune juice to loosen your output, it may not gel at all.
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