changing bag when output is high

[2caryon]

My 87 yr old mother has just had an ileostomy. In addition to being very frightened, she is having a lot of difficulty managing the changing of the. Her output is non-stop. The seal has leaked numerous times adding to her dismay. She feels she needs a third hand to stop the flow while attaching the ring seal to her stoma which is very tiny and not prominent.
Has anyone found a solution to this type of problem? She also has a peg port which constantly backs up causing her extreme discomfort. They are not easy to clear. Any help with that?

[yaya0123]

I've had an ileostomy for many years, and I've found a few things that help slow output on change day.  First I don't eat a lot of high fiber foods, or a big meal from about noon on those days (I change my bag every 4 days at around 5pm (before dinner)).  Second, about 30 minutes before changing, I have 5 large marshmallows, as they slow the gut somehow.  Third, I  have a dose of liquid Imodium (immodium) just before I get everything ready.  At times I still have output and so I always have kleenex on the stoma to catch it.  I also get cheap towels at the dollar store to put down after I get out of the shower, so if I soil them I can guiltlessly toss them out.

Hope this is helpful!

[worried878]

liquid imodium (immodium) is a good idea cos many pills will pass thru so quickly they do not get absorbed...a bland diet///the rice diet is often what people use...bananas, rice, applesauce and tapioca...often an ileostomy will beome high output and then the flow will slow down..it is almost like the bowel is in shock...one major concern is water intake as a major reason people end up back in the hospital is due to dehydration..an ileostomy loses alot of fluid compared to a colostomy cos the water is absorbed from the intake as it passes thru the intestines...so the farther down the route the more formed the output would be//and also the less water lost from the body...ileostomy contents have alot of digestive enzymes etc so it can burn the skin and make puching even more difficult.....a good seal is important..if the skin becomes burned/it will weep and nothing will stick....pouch changes first thing in the am can help...after the stomach has had time to digest the food etc...some put a small tampon in the hole, or a rolled up piece of guaze into the stoma...somthing to plug it up so that u have time to do the work u need to do without constant draiange...a blow dryer can help too....set on low and dry the skin sfor a sec before applying the wafer...can also put it on the back of the wafer to make it more tacky to help the seal....and evaluation by a local et nurse may be in order if leakage persists...some need a 1-piece, others need the 2 -piece but some need convesity...is her stoma flat or does it protrude?  many things are assessed for the correct appliance...if u need any help u can pm me

[2caryon]

Thank you for the advice. I can see several things that she can do to make things go easier, especially the immodium. I will forward your reply to her.