Stoma types, fibre and blockages

[UnXmas]

Before I had an ileostomy, eating fibre would make my symtoms worse. With my two previous stomas, eating fibre led to blockages, even quite moderate amounts of fibre. My surgeons and stoma nurses told me that with my new stoma, it wouldn't block so easily as it's an end rather than a loop ileostomy.

I'm several weeks post-surgery now, and started introducing some fibrous foods. But just as with the previous two, a tiny amount seemed ok, but after consuming an entire apple (peeled) I got the stomach cramps last night which I know means my stoma isn't happy, and I've been through it enough times before to know that if I ate any more fibre, the cramps would become severe, the nausea would start, and I'd eventually end up with a partial or full blockage.

I don't understand why I have so much trouble, since the type of ileostomy seems to make no difference after all. Is it related to having so much difficulty digesting fibre prior to having a stoma, i.e. does my digestive system simply not break down fibre like other people's do? But then, is fibre ever broken down, or is it, by definition, food that doesn't digest?

So it looks like my fruit and veg consumption will still be limited to bananas, avocados, tinned pears, juice, and a few veg cooked until they're mush. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has this much trouble, or any theories as to why it is so.

 

[DJW]

I have an ileostomy. I can have apples as long as they are peeled (I also dice them). They need to clear my system before having another one.

The other issue that comes into play for me is not having much intestine left. I can't eat a lot of foods that take a long time to break down. It's not that the stoma itself gets obstructed; the system gets really slow. I don't feel well.

 

[2thFairy]

I have a loop ileo. I can eat most anything without trouble, but I am careful with high fiber foods. I eat them, but in small quantities. I'm getting close to my 3-year anniversary and have been having more aches and pains with fibrous foods than I did in the past. I chalk this up to abdominal adhesions, as I am a great adhesion producer. (go me! haha!)

I just know for me I cannot have a bunch of fibrous stuff all at once. Everyone is different.

 

[UnXmas]

I have an ileostomy. I can have apples as long as they are peeled (I also dice them). They need to clear my system before having another one.

The other issue that comes into play for me is not having much intestine left. I can't eat a lot of foods that take a long time to break down. It's not that the stoma itself gets obstructed; the system gets really slow. I don't feel well.

Are you missing a lot of small bowel as well as large bowel? I think I actually have nearly all my small bowel left. A bit was taken out at my last surgery, but I've got enough left that I've been told absorbing nutrients shouldn't be a problem for me. Does amount of small bowel affect digestion of fibre?

 

[DJW]

I have about a metre and a-half of small intestine left. No colon. I notice pretty quickly if things slow down for any reason.

Touch wood Iabsorb nutrients pretty good.