metamucil

Metamucil is A-OK to take daily with a colostomy to assist with a regular bowel program.

Metamucil is powered psyllium. The only drawback is that you will experience an uptick in GI gas and maybe some distension.

Citracel is similar to Metamucil in desired effect. It is composed of methylcarbonate. Citracel often has the benefit of causing less GI gas and dissolves more completely to whatever liquid you add it to. Citracel can sometimes be more limited in abailability for purchase at neighborhood pharmacies. It is available on Amazon.

Metamucil and Citracel both are sources of soluble fiber (fiber that is easily broken down by mechanical chewing of the teeth and digestive enzymes in the stomach and intestines. Both are good tools to minimize “pancaking” (stool that accumulates around the stoma opening rather than descending into the ostomy pouch as is desired). Both will ease constipation by giving the intestines a gentle motility nudge to move digested food material along and through the intestinal tract. Both also help soften the consistency of fecal matter so that it is easier to pass through the intestinal tract.

Be sure to intake adequate water or juice or tea or other clear liquid. Generous fluid intake/hydration is key when using either Metamucil or Citracel.

You can titrate the daily dose up or down depending on the results of your bowel movements. If your stool consistency becomes too loose or diarrhea-like, take slightly less.

It can take 3-5 days for the initial effects of beginning Metamucil or Citracel will be know for you. It takes 3-5 days for a bite of food eaten to be processed and metabolized and exit the stoma of a sigmoid colostomy. Intestinal motility and the rate of propulsion varies from person to person. All to say, do not be discouraged if you do not see immediate effect to your bowel function when starting anew with Metamucil or Citracel.
Karen

Thanks for the info guys. (Seashell): the 3-5 days kinda threw me, for some reason I've been thinking with an ileostomy it was a few hours! For instance, how come if I've eaten fish, my output tends to have a 'fishy' aroma after about 4 hours or so?
I'm glad you mentioned pancaking though as I'm sure it's occasionally caused me night time leaks. For that reason alone it could be beneficial to me!

Thanks (Seashell). I already have a 'pharma' version of Metamucil (orange flavour) and started using it yesterday so I'll use it up first before trying citracel. I really like the aforementioned benefits you described especially the pancaking bit! I always thought pancaking was caused by poor surface finish inside the pouch and could be addressed better by the manufacturers. There are lots of 'non-stick' coatings about today. Until they catch up with technology I will certainly try and improve the consistency of my output and pay more attention to just what I'm ingesting.
Thanks again for your help.