Fasting with a stoma - question? - General Ostomy

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

john68 — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 14:38:50 +0000

Hi UCtoOstomy, That’s very interesting, As well as drinking plenty in that short period fruit and veg which are high in water such as water Mellon would be a big help.

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

UCtoOstomy — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 14:11:53 +0000

Hey everyone! I wanted to share my fasting experience this past spring. I fasted almost everyday for the month of Ramadan. This fasting requires no water and no food from sunrise to sunset. Where I live in Canada, this was between 16 and 18 hours of fasting everyday. Initially it was difficult but the more I stayed busy, the easier it became. The only issues I found was trying to eat/drink enough during the small window and the nighttime trips to empty the bag. I did experience a minor blockage but that was due to me eating some fresh corn on the cob (I learned my lesson). My doctor didn't have any objections to my fasting and simply told me to drink water or other drink prior to solid food, as this would wake up the bowel.

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

Mimi — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 17:03:25 +0000

@llholiday

Thank you so much. It is kind of you to share your story and experience . . . I do feel that this is a very caring foum.

Best wishes and thanks.

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

LLNorth — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 16:01:06 +0000

@mimi My colostomy (lower colon and rectum) was late spring 2018, then I had chemotherapy (infusions) during the summer, radiation in the fall, and chemo (pills) in winter. I lived my life throughout, though I went on half-time FMAL during the fall. Kept on working (love my work, which was flexible and accommodating, bless them), writing, sewing, etc. Chemo was not as difficult as I thought it would be. I had IV anti-nausea medication during infusions and pills for if I needed them at home (they encouraged me to stay ahead of it and not wait for nausea to get worse before taking them). I never actually threw up, though I did feel queasy, and I ate smaller amounts, more often, which I think made the difference. My hair thinned quite a bit but I never felt I needed the wig I bought (I know that is really about the least of problems but I am vain about my hair). I rested a lot. Mimi, my cancer was 3B; I know this is scary and I will keep you in my thoughts - can you feel the good juju vibes coming at you?

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

Mimi — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 09:49:52 +0000

@llholiday

Hello - thank you so much for sharing that experience. To be honest I am terrified of undergoing chemotherapy, and I have not committed to this yet. I have asked the oncologist a lot of questions to try to understand about the risks and benefits for someone in my situation.

I hope that all went well for you.

Best wishes and many thanks.

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

LLNorth — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 16:40:54 +0000

Hi. Mimi,

Although I have never fasted there were times during chemo that I didn’t have much appetite and ate little. During those times my stoma began passing frothy white bubbles! I called the stoma nurse, who told me it was because there wasn’t solid food going through me, not to worry, and to eat if I could. Thought I would tell you this in case you should experience the same thing - it was so strange!

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

Mimi — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 16:13:02 +0000

@dogtalkerer

That's definitely good advice. Learn as much as we can, to understand what is going on. Also helps with making better, more informed decisions. Thank you.

Best wishes.

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

dogtalkerer — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 20:21:06 +0000

also, read all you can about the drugs you take. even papers that are impossible to understand, you may get something out of them. I was surprised to read how short a time the drugs stay in the blood, but since the liver is the filter it did make sense.

the xelode was in pill form and I took that daily.

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

dogtalkerer — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 19:55:47 +0000

well, l report your findings for sure. I did better with eating. true, many do not react the same. there are many different chemo drugs and they all act differently.

read everything you can so you can get a broad feeling for whats going on. read the pros and cons as well.

RE: Fasting with a stoma - question?

Mimi — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 19:04:14 +0000

@dogtalkerer

Hello - thank you very much for sharing your experience. Yes, I'm trying to find out how people with a stoma manage with fasting. In particular, the impact on the stoma and whether fasting can cause problems.

I'm not currently undergoing any treatment, but I do know that there are some doctors who recommend fasting, starting the day before the chemo, the day of the chemo and half a day following (which sounds a lot to me) - and that this can help reduce nausea and vomiting. Also, that this kind of fasting can also improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. This is not my opinion (!) but I've read about it in various PubMeb papers and also referred to online etc. I don't understand this world at all . . . and am simply at the information gathering stage. And there is nothing like hearing personal experience over 'in vitro' experiments!

The thing that is really clear is that different people react differently . . . and what works for one person, may not work for another. Which is why it is brilliant that people are happy to share their experience. The idea that using fasting to help reduce output when travelling is really useful to know, and something that I will add to my toolkit for beginners.

Best wishes and many thanks.