Hi

Only recently got a stoma and have been pureeing food as I found dry food was difficult to manage due to a very dry tongue. The problem now is the output from the stoma is thick and dryish. This morning I thought I had a blockage, but by lunchtime the pain has gone and the appetite has returned.

Any suggestions to make the output more watery (I know usually the question is how to make it less!). Could it simply be that I need to drink more water/liquids?

Yes, drink more fluids, for sure. You may want to increase your fruit juice intake, as the fruit sugar, fructose, tends to cause diarrhea. White grape juice seems to be a favorite for this purpose. If increasing your fluids does not improve your dry mouth (or if you have dry eyes in addition), you may want to have a referral to a rheumatologist to see if you might have Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes dryness of the mucous membranes and can affect the organs. The dry mouth you describe sounds quite severe.

Jan

Thanks for the reply. I don't have dry eyes, just a dry mouth/tongue which is slightly yellow or white at times. Makes it difficult to eat dry foods, so currently using a blender for most meals.

I can't speak about your dry mouth, but I did have very thick output at times with my ostonomy. It would sometimes be a bit painful as my stoma "pushed" it out. I agree with Jan to increase your fluids or drink some juice. That's what always worked for me.

Ugh! I had the same problem...thick output the entire time I had the end ileostomy. Grape juice worked, but I would need to drink it all day long in order for it to stay less thick. Honestly, I wasn't able to find anything that worked consistently. I did squirt water into my bag when I emptied it to make it easier. God I don't miss the bag!

Well, you definitely sound dehydrated then. You probably should be drinking a gallon a day' and avoid caffeine.

Jan

When I get dehydrated I mix water and gatorade 50/50. Drink enough until I feel better.

I agree with the grape juice. I always keep some on hand in case things get backed up or blocked.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: WinniethePooh,

and im just the opposite....i cant get things to thicken up or slow down

I started eating whole grain bread, namely
ilton's mutigrain, and it thickens stool.

That's Milton's multigrain. I would think others would also help thicken the stool. Steven Muster are you staying hydrated and are your stools better? just curious.