I don't have an ostomy, but this seems pretty normal to me. Just like with the j-pouch, when you get sick, all bets are off in regard to expecting usual function.

Jan

My gut always gets weird when I'm sick - watery diarrhea no matter what I do. Same thing happened when I has an ostomy.

Well i must say its a relief knowing its normal but also sucks its like this. crossing my fingers that this goes away soon. thanks you two.

I am just getting over a double whammy. Flu and strep. I felt terrible. But... I thought taking antibiotics would give me diarrhea but just the opposite. I have a j pouch and would not go to the bathroom the whole 8 hrs at work. Just before I would leave I would force some out... Easily I might add but then I would be up and down all night and still am.... going bm. Weird. I have had it for two weeks now and it is finally subsiding. Now I don't know how it would affect me with a bag. But either way it's no fun having the flu with either. I cannot remember the last time or even if I ever had the flu. I was wondering now if we are more susceptible to viruses without a colon? I will be getting a flu shot from now on.... Definitely!

dgtracy, I certainly hope you're better by now! Mysticobra, all I can say is not having diarrhea is the silver lining for you, although getting up all night to go is not fun. I always joke that I get diseases but I don't get sick . However, I've had two upper respiratory infections in the last six months. Each time, I had constant migraine and cough but my pouch was on its best behavior. I seem to recall the same experience when I had my stoma. Our colons play so many roles I never knew about until I lost mine. Maybe keeping us in optimal health is one of them. I'd never gotten a flu shot when I was a healthy person. Now, given our compromised intestinal situations, I get one.