Ileostomy output too thick

I have an ileostomy and I used to have to be on a strict low fibre diet to avoid my stoma blocking. However, I had another surgery which created a new stoma, and since then I can eat whatever I like with no pain or nausea or blockage. But with fibre in my diet my output is incredibly thick and so hard to empty, I end up changing the whole bag because it's the only way to keep my stoma and bag clean. I used to go days between bag changes when I ate no fibre.

When I look up about diet and output, I keep reading that high fibre foods loosen it, but I'm certain they're doing the opposite for me. I've tried drinking lots, and having fruit juice and other sugars that are supposed to speed it up but they have no effect on me. I tried putting baby oil in the bag to make things slide downwards but that didn't work.

The only ways I can get nice, easy-to-empty output are avoiding all fibre or taking laxatives. I don't particularly want to give up fruit and other healthy foods I like again, but I also know laxatives are supposed to be a bad idea - though I get no signs of dehydration with the ones I've tried.

Does anyone else have this problem with fibre? What else can you do to loosen output?

I'm having that issue also, but mine is not from fiber, but instead a slow transit. What laxatives have you tried? I tried miralax to loosen the output, but I didn't notice any difference.

I have the thick as Georgia clay mud output! Whew... Since my blood work is okay, my doc is reluctant to let me take Lax, gave Docusate 250mg 3 X day....said that is all he is comfortable with....my electrolytes are a fine balancing act anyway! I hate pancaking, immediately clogs filter... I use reg. tap water with a bit of baking soda in it to wash out the poo... I have to rinse multiple times before clear. I went to a one clear side (1pc) pouch, I could see poo around my stoma and/or eventual possible oozing>>leakg... I carry a bottle (looks like a hair color squirt bottle) in my kit, fill up at restaurants etc.. clean pouch out... If I don't, I end up irritated/blistered peristomal skin and another problem if it evades the paste, rings, barriers etc.. I recvd a sample, stoma barrier circles, goes on like the Brava strips but around stoma prior to pouch....(mini circle rings-stoma size) my 2 samples worked wonderfully! Will have to research which co. Sent them...
(I don't know why B-soda in water, someone recommend)
I cannot get my output to thin out either, let me know if you succeed and what you use...
Jane

Jane

Post Edited (GutlessStolenColon) : 7/4/2015 9:19:31 AM (GMT-6)

GutlessStolenColon said...
I have the thick as Georgia clay mud output! Whew... Since my blood work is okay, my doc is reluctant to let me take Lax, gave Docusate 250mg 3 X day....said that is all he is comfortable with....my electrolytes are a fine balancing act anyway! I hate pancaking, immediately clogs filter... I use reg. tap water with a bit of baking soda in it to wash out the poo... I have to rinse multiple times before clear. I went to a one clear side (1pc) pouch, I could see poo around my stoma and/or eventual possible oozing>>leakg... I carry a bottle (looks like a hair color squirt bottle) in my kit, fill up at restaurants etc.. clean pouch out... If I don't, I end up irritated/blistered peristomal skin and another problem if it evades the paste, rings, barriers etc.. I recvd a sample, stoma barrier circles, goes on like the Brava strips but around stoma prior to pouch....(mini circle rings-stoma size) my 2 samples worked wonderfully! Will have to research which co. Sent them... I Get samples, try all kinds ostomy supplies, some I'm glad I didn't spend $$. It's a million dollar biz with more than 200,000 new ostomates annually in U.S..
(I don't know why B-soda in water, someone recomded)
Jane

I'm in the UK so I don't pay for stoma products, it's all free here. So I don't take the trouble to clean out bags, I just take them off and put a clean one on. But I'm trying to thin my output so I don't change bags so often for the sake of the environment.