Just had my ostomy for only like 3 days, so I assume it will slow down some. Do fiber pills help at all to slow the flow?

i dont know about the fiber...but i know that if my output is the slightest bit thick, it HURTS coming out!! and really, the consistency hasnt changed since i got it about 2 1/2 months ago...maybe because my skin is excoriated and i think the thicker poop stretches the skin around the stoma...owie!! i hope thats not the case for you.

my output is usually pretty thick now and only watery if i eat high sugar junk foods like cake and ice cream....it was a lot looser in the beginning, and yes the thicker output hurt a lot at first but now that things are healed up i don't have pain when it is thick. i actually prefer it thick because i hate the insta-fill up with the watery stool....i only have discomfort if i eat something like grapes and don't chew well enough- it seemed like the skins almost clogged things up...just chew a lot...you can try thickening foods like peanut butter and bananas and oatmeal...some things work better for different people- everyone is different. i actually can't eat oatmeal or i go to the bathroom a lot. trial and error i guess...and i would wait to try immodium til later but it can help- maybe ask your sugreon what he/she thinks about that? and there are things you can put in the bag to absorb flui (i think there are things called osto-gels? i have never tried them myself). if you are having trouble changing the appliance cuz of output i would do it before you eat, like in the morning...and i have heard from many people on this site that if you eat a few marshmallows like 10 minutes before it slows it down (haven't tried that either). good luck!

bananas also really thickened stuff up for me too. i havent eaten any since i figured that out. but will eat them everyday after takedown! also, the marshmallow trick worked for me too!

Fiber pills generally won't work as there isn't time for them to be absorbed. Try metamucil powder or wafers.

Also, wheat bread, Cape Cod potato chips (yup, only this brand for me) and graham crackers.

Cut down on sugars in the beginning and once things have healed a bit more, you can try adding Immodium (I take one or two at night and it helps a lot).

After my ileostomy surgery last year people had a lot to say about fiber. My output was very watery so I tried metamucil powder for a while. It didn't really work that well for me. I would drink it and it seemed to go through me as fast as anything else just that for that one bag full things were thicker.
Try, I know it sucks, to be patient. Few things are a massive a change to you body as this and it takes time more than anything else to get everything working better.
The marshmallow for wafer changes hasn't been a hit for me either. It has just been a matter of learning what time of the day my output is highest. Even then, I have learned to be prepared for anything and to not take my eye off that stoma for a second.
In the beginning, bananas, saltines, and bread did well for me. Be patient with your food. Again, I know it sucks. Sugary foods, soda, and sometimes juice just go right through.
It's really hard at first to find foods to eat but it doesn't last forever. I didn't eat anything with a skin on it for months. Now I can eat what I want. Although I have to decide if I want to see it again. Because skins don't digest for me at all. Really, there is only so much chewing I can do.
I had some success with Immodium/ lomotil/ welchol but some people have said that they only take it when the know that they need X amount of time after for a delay but then it all come rushing back.

Just breathe and breathe again. It totally sucks right now and nothing anyone says can change that. And for that I'm really sorry.
All I've got is that I hated people saying it just takes time because when you're the one waiting or time to pass it is interminable. But it does get better and you will learn how to figure your unique situation out.
Sorry you're here the the rest of us internal amputees. But I found out here I'm not totally alone.
Best to you and good luck.
(I know!- it sucks!)
Lani

I actually hate it when my output is really thick. It seems so much harder to empty. Something else to remember...if you have a j-pouch, you can still get pouchitis even if you have a ostomy. I did...but we all know how lucky I am.

Try eating a salt bagel and roast beef sandwich. It works well for me. I can only eat half at a time, though. Marshmellows and water only on the morning I change the bag, if I get nauseated, I eat a few crackers. No real ruffage for me, afraid of a blockage. I eat suger-free frozen fruit bars, too.
I also take Lomotil 3 times a day.

Be careful early on, The ostomy nurse gave me strict diet instructions for the first 6 weeks. Low fiber diet.

Cat.. pouchitis with an ileo ? or with a "healing" Jpouch ?

Being stuck with a perm ileo I should at least get spared the evil pouchitis.

Fiber does not slow the output, but only thickens it. You need Imodium or Lomotil to actually slow the gut. Narcotics do too.

If you have an end ileostomy and still have your j-pouch, you can still get pouchitis.

Jan

So they prescribe narcotics for this? Does Imodium work decent? Even 1-2 less bag empties per day would be an appreciable amount. I wonder if I can take immodium while I'm still on my 6 week low residue diet.

asdfqwer - Seeing as tho you are still on your 6 week low residue diet-it probably isn't a good idea to take the Imodium yet...best to talk to your surgeon and see what he/she thinks..try eating more thickening foods..cheese, pasta, bagels,breads,bananas and such.....

Everyone......
Reading these posts about the Immodium and narcotics to slow the gut.makes me wonder if you can use those things when/while you are taking anti-depressants and anti-aniexty medications?? I know there are some of us that take the anti's, anyone taking them use Immodium with no problems??

Char.....

There are a number of drug interaction checkers on the web you can use to see if there is any issue. Here is one:

http://www.medscape.com/druginfo/druginterchecker

It is always a good idea to let your doctor know if you intend to add any OTC drugs or supplements to your regimen. Supplements can interact with drugs too.

Jan