Do people with an ileostomy metabolize medication differently?

Posted by g13 @g13, Jan 20, 2022

If we metabolize foods differently, don't we metabolize
medicines differently? I know that what I eat, passes through
my body within a few hours, I've been told that I should not be prescribed a slow-release medicine because of the speed of it passing through the body. So my question is, shouldn't the mg of the medicine be adjusted up to compensate for the speed of the foods and meds passing so quickly?

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Profile picture for kenc @kenc

I do. Most tablets, etc pass right through. The doctors search for more soluable medications.

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Some of my meds have to be crushed but don't crush any without Pharmacist approval since some are not safe to be crushed etc. If not crushed they pass through whole. I take with apple sauce..

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Profile picture for klb23 @klb23

I’m 57, 94 lbs, malnourished as I don’t absorb anything. Severe rectal pain from scar tissue (what doctors say)
I’m so happy you are doing so well. I’ve been put on pain medication for the pain, no action taken for my weight and after years of fighting this, I’m tired. I’m getting so weak and can’t get any doctor to help. Appointments months out.
Hugging you from afar.

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I don't know your situation but my experience with Mayo in Jacksonville has been great. You might try them.

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Cannot digest coated tablets. They pass right through. I usually ask for liquid or powder form medication, if available.

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Profile picture for mswilde @mswilde

No in fact I’m now severely overweight which I wasn’t before this surgery and CKD issue. Which is another reason I want to change doctors, the one I have now doesn’t seem to care about it and every time I see her I bring it up. (sigh)

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I’m 57, 94 lbs, malnourished as I don’t absorb anything. Severe rectal pain from scar tissue (what doctors say)
I’m so happy you are doing so well. I’ve been put on pain medication for the pain, no action taken for my weight and after years of fighting this, I’m tired. I’m getting so weak and can’t get any doctor to help. Appointments months out.
Hugging you from afar.

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Profile picture for klb23 @klb23

@mswilde are you malnourished or thin?

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No in fact I’m now severely overweight which I wasn’t before this surgery and CKD issue. Which is another reason I want to change doctors, the one I have now doesn’t seem to care about it and every time I see her I bring it up. (sigh)

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Profile picture for mswilde @mswilde

I’ve wondered this same thing, but I guess I’m lucky because I’ve never “seen” a pill in my waste. I take a lot of supplements because my ileostomy bypasses my intestinal trac altogether, so for me, it’s mouth to stomach to out. I also don’t have much of an appetite so I pretty much have to force myself to eat A meal every day and 1 is truly about all I can handle, thus making the supplements even more important. It’s unfortunate that my new doctor, only because I moved to MN from TX, doesn’t agree with me. So, the hunt has begun. I wish ALL OF US dealing with an ostomy the best of everything .

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@mswilde are you malnourished or thin?

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Profile picture for catherine1290 @catherine1290

My doctor had to change my BP med because the one I was on metabolized thru the colon.

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Interesting … I hope that change helps you. I’m meeting a new doctor in a couple of weeks and I’m so ? anxious?excited? HAPPY!!! I had to change ALL of my doctors a year ago because I moved from TX to MN and have not been as comfortable with the new system of people except for my nephrologist who I checked with before requesting making changes with my insurance company. It’s all such a hassle but will be worth the effort if it works out and if not, now I know the process for making changes.

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My doctor had to change my BP med because the one I was on metabolized thru the colon.

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I’ve wondered this same thing, but I guess I’m lucky because I’ve never “seen” a pill in my waste. I take a lot of supplements because my ileostomy bypasses my intestinal trac altogether, so for me, it’s mouth to stomach to out. I also don’t have much of an appetite so I pretty much have to force myself to eat A meal every day and 1 is truly about all I can handle, thus making the supplements even more important. It’s unfortunate that my new doctor, only because I moved to MN from TX, doesn’t agree with me. So, the hunt has begun. I wish ALL OF US dealing with an ostomy the best of everything .

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I do. Most tablets, etc pass right through. The doctors search for more soluable medications.

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