Partner with Ileostomy after major bowel surgery still in hospital after 23 days

[Valerne]

I am writing to ask if anyone out there has had complications following an illeostomy where there is still a high (3X) output from stoma leading to dehydration. I am searching for an answer where the combination of codeine phospate, lomotil, loperimide, fybogel and now questran light hasn't lowered the stoma output significantly. He is in danger of dehydration and has experienced vomiting and headache after taking the questran light which was supposed to bind with bile salts but has been increased to 16 g/day. If anything the latest dosing in addition to the other drugs (see above) has increased urination, and increased the water content of the stoma output (and increased flatulence) He can't go home until the stoma output is around 1000 ml and right now it is over 3000 ml. Has anyone else experienced vomiting, headache from Questran Light and the detrimental effect of increasing urination as well? He has some electrolyte drinks but is still continuing to drink coffee and milk and soda drinks (shaken to remove the bubbles). He is concerned too that there doesn't seem to be an resolution to getting the small intestine working appropriately? This is supposed to be a temporary ileostomy. I would be grateful to hear from people who may have had this problem. Thank you in advance. Best wishes, Valerne

[wayneh07]

Hi Valerne I'm sorry to hear of your partners problems, and I'm hoping you can let me know what the outcome was ultimately. I'm going in on Mon (30th Aug) for a resection and have been advised that a temporary illeostomy is most likely, so if you can let me know how things went, I would prefer to be pre-armed. Hope he's doing well now. Thanks Wayne

[craftyone]

Hi, I have had an ileostomy for 10 years. I think (from my own experiences - 4 huge bowel ops) that it takes time for the body to settle back down after a bowel operation. Hopefully they have sorted out the problem by now and things have become more stable. I have found that the first 2-3 months is probably the worst time, and then things seem to improve a lot faster. Of course, we are all different and our bodies all heal at different times and in different ways, so everyone's experience can be a lot different. At least your partner is in the best place to sort it all out, don't be afraid to ask questions of the surgeon, doctors and nurses and my only other advice is to hang in there yourself and just have patience. These ops are huge and the body is put under a lot of trauma with them so I think that they can take time out for healing. Doesn't help much, but good luck with it all. Craftyone

[samex]

I'm sorry that I may not be much help as while I had the surgery (hemi-colectomy) I didn't need a stoma. I was in hospital for 3 weeks even though because my system just didn't like taking any food for 2 and half weeks. I then experienced severe constipation again when relaesed from hospital and had to go back to outpatients for another enemma. It's been Ok since then. As Craftyone says, we are all so different and you MSR ask questions all the time. I hope things begin to improve. Samex

[samex]

Sorry - that should be MUST.

[#6]

Hi Valerne, Very sorry to hear of your partners problems re ileostomy. I have had my ileostomy for 18 mths now and (4 major surgery's later). I can tell you that I was in hospital for 37 days. As has been expressed before, everyone's healing process is different. My advice is to ask and or demand to know exactly what is happening. Speak to the Specialist directly so you get the real picture and get the answers. I can tell you regarding the coffee, when I have coffee my output is very watery. I still have increased urination, and will be seeing a Urologist soon for this. With the flatulence I am seeing a Dietitian who is helping me with the foods that cause this. I don't know if any of this is of help to you. But hang in there and don't let it get you or your partner down. It will sort itself out eventually. I felt like I would never get out of hospital either, but it will happen when all is well, keep positive. Regards DaphneRose