Good question Dan,  so sorry you had to go thru that. It is exhausting and can tire you out royally. I have often wondered if it has to do with the fact that the bowel has rested after being so active and it either it takes a bit to wake up again or just to fill up enough to make it thru to the other side. It sounds like you have found a system that works for you and that's good. I believe that Ostomates comes out of this knowing their bodies better then most people. Have a great weekend, stay hydrated, and get some deserved rest! ;D.

Hi Dan, I'm not a doctor, and you should ask him/her for a definitive medical answer to your question. That being said, it seems likely that your gut emptying from having the runs plus 24 hours of eating food that is perhaps binding might cause a temporary dramatic slow-down in output. Three days, however, seems excessive from what I read on this page on caring for a colostomy from the American Cancer Society. I encourage you to call your doctor about it.

I have had a similar situation, not for 3 days......but I asked myself
"How do I feel?" I was concerned if I had a blockage...and I try and have drainable bags on hand for those days. And puppy pads, just I case.....my waffer can leak....

Posted by: danbh

My question is... Once you start eating normally, why does it take 3 days for any output to start showing? As I understand it takes about 8 hours for food you ate to reach the bag, why does it take 3 days to reach the bag after the intestine has emptied when you had that bad day?

Firstly, I'm sorry that you went through that. That must have been quite alarming!

"Transit time" can be quite long - even three days doesn't seem abnormal. 

It really does depend on the volume and type of food you've consumed. It may help to put things into perspective to think about this: many Americans have bowel movements once a day or a few times a week(!!!) on a regular basis. That's something I'd worry about! 

But going from "empty" to passing output can take some time. If I recall correctly, it takes at least 24 hours for me to have output when I've fasted for one reason or another. Unless you're feeling backed up, I wouldn't worry too much :)

Hi Eric,

I was not really worried about it, just wondering. Had this before and it is always around 3 days to have output start coming.

Thank you Eric, and the other users who responded, I guess the body knows what it is doing, and takes it's time about it.

Dan

If it happens again (and I hope it does not!), keep a food diary and use it as a reference. If the transit time was faster the next time around, compare it to the foods you started eating after the last episode.