Iliostomy

[sandyhopes]

Developed from bowel obstruction from ov ca. Need tips about any low fibre safe food like any type of salad ? Going on vacation and worried about meals and swimming with ostomy bag.

[Lily-Anne]

I found a low fibre diet difficult to get used to. Some things I can’t eat such as sweet corn and peppers. Going in the pool was fine but I put a sticker over the filter

LA xx

[sandyhopes in reply to Lily-Anne]

I’m terrified to try a pool but going to Mexico soon and have a port instead of PICC now. I use Marlin pouches but not sure what you mean about a seal. Also may need different bathing suit to disguise pouch. Lots to think about with travelling as far as supplies. Do you time your swim so that your stomach is empty. I am surprised how thick my stool can get and then it breaks the seal near stoma. Nighttime is concern because stool doesn’t drain into pouch st times so set my device to empty it at least every 3 hours.

[Lily-Anne in reply to sandyhopes]

You need to speak to your team as the seal shouldn’t break. I’m not much of a water baby but usually in pool before lunch and then much later. I bought multi coloured swimsuits but I like a bikini so I bought high waisted bikini bottoms because my stoma site is below my waistline.

There are some sites that sell swimwear for ostomates but I think it’s overpriced. After all who really cares about what other people think. Your life is a celebration enjoy it

Xx

[tutti]

I have experienced several serious bowel obstructions since having my colostomy and been hospitalised four times.I try my best to eat a low residue diet ,you can look that up online,it is mostly beige!Lettuce seems to be the only salad veg which can be eaten unlimited but I eat tomato and leave the skin.Melon,peeled apple and most soft fruits are okay.I avoid all red meat and my recent problems were probably caused by a large bacon sandwich!I love fish so that is not a problem.Chocolate is a good natural laxative and luckily wine does not block you up! Take care,Viv.

[sandyhopes in reply to tutti]

I wonder if colostomy diet is different from iliostomy. If I eat lettuce it eventually goes into my bag but worried that it may cause blockage. I had a lower bowel resection from diverticulitis rupture and then developed ovarian ca in 2013. I had my first obstruction about 3 years ago and they managed it with a stent to keep lower bowel patent but the one year ago had to have iliostomy which apparently was difficult to do because the cancer coats the bowels like a porridge substance. So trying to avoid another obstruction by keeping ca away. Guess adhesions can cause obstruction also.

Thanks for advice. This posting is new to me. Why do you have colostomy?

Sandy from BC

[tutti in reply to sandyhopes]

I have a colostomy due to second recurrence of oc in2004,also have urostomy due to third recurrunce in 2007.Both Stoma s are flush to skin so need convex pouches.I now use a barrier ring as well as I have developed a crease where I was getting leaks .My obstructions are usually down to adhesions.

[sandyhopes in reply to tutti]

Will they do surgery again if you obstruct? That is my fear.

[tutti]

Unlikely to have surgery because surgery causes the adhesions and also I have very little good colon to play with as the surgeon put it.Only option is diet with no bits in it.Vivx

[sandyhopes in reply to tutti]

That’s what is so scary. It sounds like you have had ov ca for many years ? Your small intestines don’t get adhesions or obstruction from ca growth ?? Maybe your ca doesn’t cover the exterior of your bowels like mine. The surgeon compares it to “porridge “ and it coats my sm bowels when I go off of chemo. So not much to work with as you know

I get thick stool very easily over my stoma and take restorlax My oncologist said if I start to suspect another obstruction when we go to Mexico in a few weeks to take 2 mg Dexamethazone to help reduce inflammation and keep everything patent. Do you ever try that ? Are you high grade serious ov ca ?

I would love to have lettuce but it goes into my iliostomy bag so must be slow to digest. Do you eat avacado. I originally was told not to but the dietician said that a little may be ok. It would be nice to have guacamole when away. I’ve tried tomatoes without the skin and peeled cucumber and also sauerkraut.

I’m surprised that I gain weight so easily especially when food doesn’t stay in my system long. I love ice cream but that caused me to gain. I guess my life is much more sedintary now. For some reason I get lots of pressure like pain when upright so can’t walk as much. My heart wants to do more but my body rebels. I take a fair bit of narcotics but not sure how much it helps.

Are you BRCA positive so can take Olaparib?

Thanks again. You have been fighting this for about 14 years ! Thanks Tutti 😍

[tutti]

I have had ca for 17 years,it was my millennium present.On reflection I had been unwell for at least six months.Luckily my five recurrences have mostly been single tumours which have been operable as I refused to go through chemo again.The major problem with that is that I have multiple adhesions and as the consultant said today very unusual plumbing.My recent CT scan was quite hard to interpret but no new problems despite some symptoms.Having two stomas is a real disability but not recognised by the DWP for any benefit help.Ileostomys are different to colostomy so any advice I give may be wrong.I do find Stoma nurses very helpful.Vivxx

[Bliney]

After surgery I developed terrible bowel adhesions and was told to have a liquid diet. I now have a freezer full of boxes of soup. It has been OK and I am now gradually introducing soft foods, rice boiled vegetables but nothing high fibre.