I have a loop ileostomy and expect to have take down - part 2 Jan 2014, since I had the JPouch built I have a hard time eating things other than chicken soup, rice, mashed potatoes or plain white bread... Any changes of that basic diet produce severe diarrhea and even pain and managing the bag while having some much liquid output isn't fun either. Did anyone suffer from this? Any suggestions as to what helps the stomach accept food. I've lost 26 lbs since JPouch surgery and doctor would like me to gain some back before the take down surgery comes. Any advise is very much appreciated.
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What are you currently trying? Metamucil? Imodium? Other meds?
Yes, Scott, I take Imodium 4 times per day, usually 30-45 min before meals and one before bed. It does help daily with the basic diet I've mentioned, but I can't eat anything else or the issue begins.
The maximum daily dose of Imodium is eight tablets per day, so I would certainly increase your dosage to eight per day (two before meals and two before bed) if that isn't what you're doing already.
There are two other meds that can be used IN ADDITION to the Imodium to slow your digestion more. They are prescription only but you should be able to get the scripts from your GI or surgeon. Lomotil is a tablet similar to Imodium and taken in the same way -- eight tablets per day, take before meals and before bed. The other commonly used drug is tincture of opium -- this comes in liquid form and has to be administered with a dropper. I never used it so I can't recommend the dosage off the top of my head.
Chicken soup is actually a poor choice for thickening output as hot liquids will increase diarrhea. Do a board search for thickening foods and you will find more advice.
There are two other meds that can be used IN ADDITION to the Imodium to slow your digestion more. They are prescription only but you should be able to get the scripts from your GI or surgeon. Lomotil is a tablet similar to Imodium and taken in the same way -- eight tablets per day, take before meals and before bed. The other commonly used drug is tincture of opium -- this comes in liquid form and has to be administered with a dropper. I never used it so I can't recommend the dosage off the top of my head.
Chicken soup is actually a poor choice for thickening output as hot liquids will increase diarrhea. Do a board search for thickening foods and you will find more advice.
Bagels thicken and you can try with cream cheese spread and/or sliced turkey. I tolerated baked chicken breast too. I could tolerate deli sliced meats over regular meats, I think this is because these are easier to chew. Instead of chicken noodle soup, one of my favorites also, try chicken and egg noodles. Use peanut butter on your bread. Cheeses and crackers, rice krispie treats thicken as they have marshmallows - but they also have sugar. Protein drinks like Ensure should help up your caloric intake too. I'd like to tell you to eat ice cream but sugar isn't good for you at this point. Protein bars are good but only if they are soft and you need to chew chew chew. Bananas thicken as well and make a good shake with chocolate protein shakes and peanut butter made into a smoothie with some ice in a blender.
I don't know how much weight you can gain in a month but hope the above help some.
I don't know how much weight you can gain in a month but hope the above help some.
I'd suggest Metamucil with meals, 2 or 3 times per day, or some folks say Konsyl is more concentrated fiber (and more effective) than Metamucil. Lomotil works better for me than Imodium, so it might be worth a try, and if that doesn't work, as Liz said, Deodorized Tincture of Opium (DTO) is very effective, though it scares the heck out of many doctors.
I've had my loop for a month now and am still trying to figure things out. Last night I had baked chicken, baked potato and a tiny bit of baked zucchini. I had such watery output from 6 - 11 pm. I was emptying my pouch every 20 - 30 minutes. Tonight I ate the same except I had cod and I am ok. Go figure!! Potatoes usually really thicken things up for me and I make homemade apple sauce that tastes good (no sugar, just cinnamon) and that is a great thickener. It doesn't have to be homemade but I like mine better.
I am having a hard time gaining weight too. I just lost another pound. Can someone recommend something to gain weight without sugar and a bunch of additives? I went to the health food store and they offered me nothing.
I do notice that hot beverages, if drank quickly, and soups (darn it) really speeds up output. I have not had a cup of coffee since my surgery and I am afraid that it will really cause the runs.
Lomotil works a lot better for me then Immodium so you may want to try it like Liz mentioned. TE Marie offered some great food selections too.
With an ileo, is it safe to take a bit of Metamucil? I used it for my J but haven't tried it with my new plumbing. When I get very runny, I would like to shorten the period from 5 or 6 hours of running to the bathroom to a couple of hours.
I hope you can figure this out PHedges. It's frustrating to be in the predicament you are in and I do have a much broader range of food I eat but still have some major issues.
Donna
I am having a hard time gaining weight too. I just lost another pound. Can someone recommend something to gain weight without sugar and a bunch of additives? I went to the health food store and they offered me nothing.
I do notice that hot beverages, if drank quickly, and soups (darn it) really speeds up output. I have not had a cup of coffee since my surgery and I am afraid that it will really cause the runs.
Lomotil works a lot better for me then Immodium so you may want to try it like Liz mentioned. TE Marie offered some great food selections too.
With an ileo, is it safe to take a bit of Metamucil? I used it for my J but haven't tried it with my new plumbing. When I get very runny, I would like to shorten the period from 5 or 6 hours of running to the bathroom to a couple of hours.
I hope you can figure this out PHedges. It's frustrating to be in the predicament you are in and I do have a much broader range of food I eat but still have some major issues.
Donna
Thank You all, Pluot-Liz,TE Marie, Scott, Donna, I apprecite all the suggestions, I'm going to move from Imodium to Lomotil, it may work better, I just called the surgeon and easily gave me a prescription. I will also include the foods you - Liz recommended. Donna I'm not much of the apple sauce person but will eat baked chicken and fish. Thanks again! So glad all of you are here with your advise and input!
For thickening, you could try Cream of Rice porridge for breakfast. I make it with Coconut milk and cinnamon and add in mashed bananas, which also help thicken output and sweeten the rice porridge. And both the Coconut Milk and banana add calories and nutrients. Could also stir in smooth peanut butter.
White sushi rice with meals is a big help. For extra nutrients, protein and calories, put a couple fried eggs over a bowl of white rice and flavor with a bit of soy sauce and sesame oil.
Peanut butter and almond butter are good for thickening and for weight gain / extra calories without sugar. I made almond butter in my food processor.
You might also try taking Apple Pectin with meals. Just be careful of taking full capsules - my first and only time taking one it seemed to get stuck in the stoma and cause a blockage and mess. Maybe try opening the capsule and sprinkling the powder on your food or trying a different form of Apple Pectin.
Pasta (regular and gluten free) might help as well.
Gluten free breads made with rice flour may also help. Basically, rice works well and you can seek out different forms of it to add in to your diet.
You could dilute Ensure with unsweetened Almond Milk to cut the sugar, but I found Ensure to cause gas and diarrhea.
Starchy vegetables other than potatoes might help (or hurt), such as winter squash, specifically Kabocha or Jap pumpkim.
Maybe eating slowly and small frequent meals/snacks might help - at least control the flow of output if not the consistency. Also, avoiding drinking beverages with meals and instead sipping between meals. If you have a lot of liquid output, you might also be at risk of dehydration/electrolyte loss. You could add a pinch of salt (small amount is tasteless) to your water to help counter this.
Good luck!
White sushi rice with meals is a big help. For extra nutrients, protein and calories, put a couple fried eggs over a bowl of white rice and flavor with a bit of soy sauce and sesame oil.
Peanut butter and almond butter are good for thickening and for weight gain / extra calories without sugar. I made almond butter in my food processor.
You might also try taking Apple Pectin with meals. Just be careful of taking full capsules - my first and only time taking one it seemed to get stuck in the stoma and cause a blockage and mess. Maybe try opening the capsule and sprinkling the powder on your food or trying a different form of Apple Pectin.
Pasta (regular and gluten free) might help as well.
Gluten free breads made with rice flour may also help. Basically, rice works well and you can seek out different forms of it to add in to your diet.
You could dilute Ensure with unsweetened Almond Milk to cut the sugar, but I found Ensure to cause gas and diarrhea.
Starchy vegetables other than potatoes might help (or hurt), such as winter squash, specifically Kabocha or Jap pumpkim.
Maybe eating slowly and small frequent meals/snacks might help - at least control the flow of output if not the consistency. Also, avoiding drinking beverages with meals and instead sipping between meals. If you have a lot of liquid output, you might also be at risk of dehydration/electrolyte loss. You could add a pinch of salt (small amount is tasteless) to your water to help counter this.
Good luck!
Thank You Anushka, I have changed my diet since I received the responses back also I increased the Imodium and added Lomotil. I'm doing a little better, less diarrhea. Your post helps me on "variety" of options to add. Thanks for the suggestions I really appreciate them.