your doctors say this is normal for you? why? i get high output when I've eaten something thats bad.  but everyone will have that problem.

Jillian, it’s difficult for anyone else to tell you what you should do, because we all have such unique experiences. Your best bet is to try keeping a food diary for awhile to see if any of your issues are food related. Then you can avoid those foods when it’s really important to not have loose output. Also, you can plan to stick to food that prevents loose output, thereby giving you the best chance that things will go well.

The other possibilities that cause problems with output could be medical issues (I had gallbladder problems that were contributing to loose output), as well as medication, and even stress could be a factor. Do you find that your output is worse if you’re stressed? 

I would hate to think that you deny yourself social opportunities because of worry that you might have a leak or output problems, but I also know that this is often a reality for ostomates. I think the best we can do is try to plan for a leak and be as prepared as we can, and live our lives as best we can. Have you considered irrigation as a way to go for longer periods of time with no output? It’s what I do if I need several hours bathroom-free. The longest I’ve gone with no output is 3 days after irrigation, but that doesn’t happen very often. I can guide you through the irrigation process if you’d like.

Laurie

Hi @jillian, I echo what @tigerlily wrote in that keeping a food diary may be helpful.

Speaking only for myself, I can "time" when to expect output following a meal, and control the amount I consume and when I consume it. This gives some room for planning, and has been especially helpful around trips or unfamiliar places.

I will caution you and others, though. If you aren't used to fasting, I don't recommend that strategy, as it can result in you feeling lethargic or dizzy and may complicate pre-existing conditions. I'm used to fasting, so I know my limits.

I know people who strategically use Imodium to slow down output. I don't, but it can be a helpful strategy.

If you have instances where you regularly get high-volume, unexpected output, I would suggest speaking with a doctor or stoma nurse to rule out any medical causes.

I like Laurie's suggestion to consider irrigation, which can give you some control and freedom.

It's never fun to have to consider cancelling plans due to uncertainty around our stoma, so I hope that you can find some workable solutions.

Hi Jillian,

I do sometimes have to schedule things around what I think my stoma might be up to. A food diary can help, or at least mindfulness of what foods were eaten in the several previous days. It is odd how one food can suddenly be the culprit. And sometimes the unexpected happens, sometimes in a lucky way - for example, I had a dental appointment yesterday. All went well, then about a half-hour after I got back home my stoma went wild, and my pouch rapidly filled and filled. And filled again. I was so glad it waited! Recalling what I had eaten lately all I could think of was a hamburger at a place I hadn’t been to before. Was it to blame? Was the meat fresh, had they added some unusual seasoning? Who knows, but if I go there again I’ll have something else.

Last year I had a rather major leak at a social event, and I was wearing white pants. I wrote about it here at VO and received supportive responses that made me feel better and more confident. Many thanks for that.