For those with an Ostomy (sudden indigestion issues), not cancer related.

Helen321
Helen321 Member Posts: 1,460 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

So I'm cancer free two years now, been fine, modified my diet, semi smooth sailing once I go the hang of it.  I'm suddenly having a serious problem with indigestion.  I had trouble swallowing a few days back.  I could chew but the food wouldn't go down.  I had to chew the food really tiny.  Every time I eat, I feel like I have a mild flu. The ostomy output is loose, it continues to move along but the pain and irritation getting there is not very pleasant and there is a very bloated feeling around the stoma, under the wafer that comes and goes.  Also my throat and esophogus are irritated but not painful.  It's waking me out of a sound sleep.  I feel like I have serious indigestion all day long (a mild burning) for about a week now. I've tried bread, I've tried drinking just water.  Usually the bread works when stool is too loose but this time it is still loose.  Had to change wafer three times yesterday.  Has anyone experienced this?  If it continues I'm going to go to the gastorenterologist but I don't really want to if this is something typical that just requires patience to let it pass.  Had it up to my eyeballs with doctor's visits.

Comments

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #2
    Hi Helen,

    Hopefully you just got some bad virus effecting your entire digestive system. Any fever?Have a light diet, take vitamins and have a lot of liquid. If it doesn't get better in an other week, see your doctor.

    All the best,

    Laz

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #3
    A guess

    As strange as it sounds you could be constipated or have a slight blockage.

    In that condition the more liquid parts will still be expelled, but the more solid parts are still in there.

    If you are willing to try it, here is what I do.  Make a cup of hot water, as if you were making tea or coffee.  Add in some apple juice.  Once you drink it you may for a time hear some "growling" noice from you stomach or bowel area.

    I would suggest that you try this once or twice a day just for a couple of days to see if it makes any difference.

    If you don't get more positive results then you really may want to have it checked out by your doctor.

    Hope all is resolved quickly.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties

  • Dyanclark
    Dyanclark Member Posts: 296
    #4
    block

    You could have a blockage of some food caught behind stoma.  This happens if my husband eats mushrooms, pizza dough etc.  I would stay on liquid diet and not solids for a day or two.  Liquids will get thru, not solids.  You may needs to have nurse irrigate.

    Hugs George & diane

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,460 Member
    #5
    lp1964 said:

    Hi Helen,

    Hopefully you just got some bad virus effecting your entire digestive system. Any fever?Have a light diet, take vitamins and have a lot of liquid. If it doesn't get better in an other week, see your doctor.

    All the best,

    Laz

    No fever, still happening,

    No fever, still happening, I'm going to try the hot water/apple juice suggested, if it doesn't work, off to the doctor's.  I would give money not to have to go to the doctor's!  

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,460 Member
    #6
    Lovekitties said:

    A guess

    As strange as it sounds you could be constipated or have a slight blockage.

    In that condition the more liquid parts will still be expelled, but the more solid parts are still in there.

    If you are willing to try it, here is what I do.  Make a cup of hot water, as if you were making tea or coffee.  Add in some apple juice.  Once you drink it you may for a time hear some "growling" noice from you stomach or bowel area.

    I would suggest that you try this once or twice a day just for a couple of days to see if it makes any difference.

    If you don't get more positive results then you really may want to have it checked out by your doctor.

    Hope all is resolved quickly.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties

    Thanks Marie, I will try this

    Thanks Marie, I will try this because it's no better.  It's in my chest area also so I think maybe it's something I'm eating.  I am eating the same things as always but it's possible one of those things is going to be added to my no list.  Just have to figure out what.  If it's not better by Monday I'm making an appointment because this doesn't feel very good at all.

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,460 Member
    #7
    Dyanclark said:

    block

    You could have a blockage of some food caught behind stoma.  This happens if my husband eats mushrooms, pizza dough etc.  I would stay on liquid diet and not solids for a day or two.  Liquids will get thru, not solids.  You may needs to have nurse irrigate.

    Hugs George & diane

    Thanks, Does the liquid diet

    Thanks, Does the liquid diet usually clean out the blockage?

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #8
    Helen321 said:

    Thanks, Does the liquid diet

    Thanks, Does the liquid diet usually clean out the blockage?

    I think the 2 Ladies above...

    .. Are right. You may have partial blockage. I use milk of magnesia once a week to clean myself out completely. I take 4 table spoons. Nothing happens for about 4 hours then you have very runny stool for about an hour. Make sure you have a new pooch on. 

    Also ask your doctor if you consider this.

    Good luck,

    Laz

  • Dyanclark
    Dyanclark Member Posts: 296
    #9
    Helen321 said:

    Thanks, Does the liquid diet

    Thanks, Does the liquid diet usually clean out the blockage?

    Symptons

    Laughing

    This sounds like what happens when something is blocking my husbands stoma.  One reason for liquids is solids will not pass and make you sicker.  The hot tea and hot showers running on stomach can help things to move.  Sounds like you may have to see doctor if it doesn't clear up.

     Hugs George & Diane

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #10
    Hi Helen,

    Are you feeling better now? 

    Laz

  • hippiechicks
    hippiechicks Member Posts: 509 Member
    #11
    How are you doing?? Have

    How are you doing?? Have things gotten any better for you?

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,460 Member
    #12
    hippiechicks said:

    How are you doing?? Have

    How are you doing?? Have things gotten any better for you?

    Hi Thanks for checking.  My

    Hi Thanks for checking.  My doc suggested going low fiber for a few days to see if it would get rid of the indigestion, it did. She thinks the chewing was mental because I felt crappy but it was definitely physical.  Ate a tiny bit of vegetables and indigestion is back full force, has to be fiber related.  I have an appt at Sloan on the 19th so I'll bring it up then. If it becomes an issue, I'll go in before then.  Didn't try the clean out, had plans over the weekend.  This weekend I have very little planned so I'll try it then.

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