New to this site

bspangler47

Hi. I am new to this site. I am remission from colorectal cancer stage 3 cat b. Was told last yr when I had a colonscopy done in Jan 09 and surgery in March 09. Had several surgeries after that and had a ilesctompy(sp). The reversal was done this yr. Been having a difficult time with loose stools, take lotmoil, immundium, pain pills and atvin(at times). I weigh 88 lbs. watching what I eat etc. Having a hard time putting on weight. any suggestions

Nana b

You can watch what you eat
You can watch what you eat and still put on the pounds, let me tell you! Glad you found us. Calories are what make you gain weight, if you can do that without adding fat that would be great. So eat things with some substance. Drink you juices, eat your fruit but throw in some good things, if you eat pasta with spinach, you get the effects of the spinach but get some calories from some pasta.

Since you are done with Chemo and surgery you are a warrior, keep it up!!

John23

Ileostomy

I still have mine, and likely will until forever.....

You didn't say how much colon they removed, and the amount
remaining can make a major difference on what type of output
you will be experiencing.

The colon takes liquid out of the waste, for as long as the waste
remains in the colon. That's why, if you don't defecate regularly,
you get "constipation"; dry stool that doesn't want to move like
nice soft stool moves.... (too much liquid was taken out)

Without enough colon for the waste to accumulate in, the waste
will remain more liquid, and result in very loose stool.

So it'd be in your best interest to find out just what, and how
much of what, they took out of you, before you knock yourself
out taking drugs to do what might not be able to be done.

That said.... I'll give you my FREE opinion (It's probably not
worth even that much, but here it is):

After surgery to your digestive system, it takes awhile for your
system to recuperate and get back to normal. Taking things like
"lotmoil, immundium, pain pills and atvin" will all make
things worse, not better. They just confuse your very delicate
digestive system, cause bouts of constipation and diarrhea,
and generally just delays the "relearning" process of your system.

You can slow your system down by eating things that can do that
naturally.

Any low carb food (meat, fats, etc) will result in a more liquid output,
and high carb foods will usually result in a more solid output.

With an ileostomy, eating 1/2 Grapefruit, an Orange, or drinking
"high pulp" orange juice can thicken and slow the waste considerably,
without the side effects of drugs.

After reconnection, eating high carb foods (an orange, etc) can
have the same effect, but to a lesser degree.

The bottom line (bottom, get it?) is that your system is attempting
to relearn the process, and it takes time, not drugs.

By the way...... "Ensure Plus" was what I drank to regain my
weight quickly after surgery. "Krispy Kreme" donuts didn't hurt,
either. You have to eat foods that everyone knows will put pounds
on, and tell yourself that you're doing it for your health. You are,
so your not lying....

Eating "fat" won't make you fat, eating carbohydrates will.

Eat, enjoy, and defecate (but not necessarily all at the same time)!


John

AnneCan

Welcome!
I just wanted to welcome you to our forum + hope you get some of the answers you are looking for!

Jaylo969

AnneCan said:

Welcome!
I just wanted to welcome you to our forum + hope you get some of the answers you are looking for!

Ditto
I ditto what Anne said and welcome to the board.

Best wishes to you.

-Pat

John23

Nana b said:

You can watch what you eat
You can watch what you eat and still put on the pounds, let me tell you! Glad you found us. Calories are what make you gain weight, if you can do that without adding fat that would be great. So eat things with some substance. Drink you juices, eat your fruit but throw in some good things, if you eat pasta with spinach, you get the effects of the spinach but get some calories from some pasta.

Since you are done with Chemo and surgery you are a warrior, keep it up!!

Update

On another thread (http://csn.cancer.org/node/200064) it was brought
up, that grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with numerous
medications. That information is absolutely correct, and if you're on
medications, check the list, or ask the pharmacist before having
any grapefruit. Oranges can slow down your output very nicely,
and doesn't carry the caveat of grapefruits!
(I don't do any western meds, and often overlook the perils others face)

Also, before I forget again......

Ileostomates can not take "slow release" medications. Many
physicians aren't aware of the need to use fast dissolving compounds
for patients with ileostomys, and it is up to the patient to let them know.

During the period of a "dumping syndrome" (usually a week or so
out of a month), food can go from mouth to pouch within 15 -20 minutes.
Medications, even solutions taken prior to a scan, will end up in the
pouch before it can be useful.

(I drink the contrast used for a scan, within 5 minutes of the scan,
and they always tell me that they see it going into the pouch during
the scan)

Welcome to the world of ileostomates!

John

coolvdub

Jaylo969 said:

Ditto
I ditto what Anne said and welcome to the board.

Best wishes to you.

-Pat

Welcome
Welcome to the boards, is the problem you don't eat enough? I know when going through chemo, I didn't eat much. I was able to eat more by using MM(medical marijuana). I have put on approx. 30 pounds and feel and look much better.

Don