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Posted 6/23/2012 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
I received a temporary ileostomy on May 25th during emergency surgery following a failed join on my bowel resection surgery on May 17th to remove endometriosis.

I'm coping OK with the ileostomy, but there are a few issues that are making me a bit apprehensive about leaving the house for an extended period of time. I'm especially nervous about visiting friends' homes and having to use their bathroom while I'm there.

1) The output to my bag seems quite high. I have to empty at least every 2 hours and the output is almost always liquid. Can I expect the output to reduce over time? Does anyone have any tips for reducing/thickening the output? I was told by the ET nurse that I can use Imodium to slow things down. Does anyone have any experience with this?

2) Sometimes the odour when I empty the bag is unbearable. I can't stand it so I certainly don't want to subject anyone else to it. This morning it seemed like I could smell it throughout the whole house :(
Haven't been able to pin it down to any specific foods, but it seems to be worse in the morning. Have started using M9 drops but, to be honest, haven't been consistent so I'm not sure how well they are working. Any suggestions for reducing odour would be appreciated. Not as concerned about using public washrooms but, at this point, I am not at all comfortable using the bathroom in someones home because I'm really nervous about the odour.

3) Does anyone use any kind of lubricant in the bag to help the contents move to the bottom?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Posted 6/23/2012 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
My output is high in the mornings and early afternoon. It isn't unheard of for me to have to check/empty it every hour between 9:00 and noon-ish. Every two hours more or less the rest of the time. (except when I'm asleep)

I don't have any easy answers about the odor. I haven't used the drops regularly enough to say if they work or not.

As for as moving everything to the bottom... most of my waste does as I stand and move about. I use a small squirt bottle I got from the travel section of Target to shoot water up into my bag and rinse it out when I'm in public restrooms to make sure it gets clean enough. (i keep it full with water and inside a ziplock bag in my purse) At home, I use an old cup to poor water into the bag to rinse it out when I empty.
Posted 6/23/2012 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hello YYC and welcome to the forum! from my own experience over the last year, This is one of the most resourceful sites online and I have picked up a lot of hints and tricks myself managing my stoma.
Regarding your questions:
1) liquid output: how much coffee do you drink? Try cut down on it.To thicken output I usually eat a banana or rice. Imodium doesn't really thicken the output in my case, put it slows everything down.
2) Smell: fish or seafood are evil stenchers. I only eat those within 24h of a bag change. Smell is usually stronger in the morning if you haven't emptied during the night. Also it is particularly poignant when the stoma is very young, it will settle once your small bowl learns to absorb more nutrients.
3) lubricant? Do you mean the output pancakes on top of your stoma? If so, Try a convex waver or covering the filter with the sticky labels supplied ( I haven't tried this myself though)
Good luck you'll be an expert soon.
Posted 6/24/2012 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
When I had my temporary loop ileostomy my output at 1st was ALOT. I found that potatoes and baby food bananas helped thicken it some. Over time, the output settled down to a more tolerable level.

As far as odor, yogurt helps some. I also chew Devrom tablets, which is an internal deodorizer, everyday and this makes my output virtually odor free. I also use M9 drops. They only help if you put them in your bag everytime you empty though or they don't work. I have found that M9 drops only work for my odor slightly???

I never rinse my bag out as this always seems to compromise my wafer. I wear a 2 piece system and I change the bag out every other day and my wafer 1 to 2 times per week.
Posted 6/24/2012 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
1)lots of things you can do to slow down output. First here's some diet ideas- eat "thickening" foods-mashed potators, rice, applesauce, bananas, oatmeal. DO NOT drink hot liquids of any kind. And do not eat hot liquids - like soup. Try not to drink when you eat a meal. Rather drink sips throughout the day.
Second - YES immodium works very well. You have to take it 30-45minutes before a meal. You can take up to 8 pills a day. Personally I take 2 before each meal and 2 before bedtime. Also you can try fiber products - benefiber works very well for me. Sprinkle a huge tablespoon on some food several times a day. There are also other more powerful medications that can also help- tincture of opium and even nexium.
2)M9 drops from hollister work like a champ. HOWEVER, you must put them in every time you empty your bag AND you need a lot more than just a drop.
3) I don't understand your third question, because you say you have mostly liquid output.. so that would empty quite easily on its own.
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