Do people with an ileostomy metabolize medication differently?

Some medication, such as liquid Cymbalta may not be available in the US. The doctor recommended that I open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on something like apple sauce.

I received a “ temporary “ iliostomy in 1989….. that lasted about a month before the doctor and I decided to never hook me back up to my rectum. It’s now been 34 years and though I’ve had many trials I think everyone should be born with one!
The past three years I’ve had many procedures at Mayo and am now back in remission.
I am a 71 yr. Old female. Had two children while I had Crohn’s disease and before my surgery.
I have tried Holister and Convetec… I’ve lost 100 pounds in the last two years so it’s hard to get my appliance to adhere to my skin. ( my skin is old, saggy and a railroad track of scars!)Sometimes I would change 12 times in one day…. Yesterday it was 3 times … and today so far it’s good. Seeing an ostomy nurse can help try different applications that could work for you.
I’m glad that I found this site… as old as I am and as long as I’ve had the ostomy - I am still learning

Hello yoopergal-Reading your post took me back to my experience with my temporary colostomy. If you care to, you can track my posts during my 'saga' beginning December 21, 2021.
I don't know if ileostomy requirements are different from colostomy and it might be that the solution I found is not recommended. During one of my ER visits, this one for my recent colostomy leaking bloody stool, the ER doctor used Tincture of Benzoin as the 'paste' to seal the appliance. I applied the tincture both to my skin and the disc (I've forgotten what it is called) that adheres to the skin. It was a game-changer for me, as I also had frequent adherence issues. The Tincture is normally used in wound care to ensure that steri-strips will stay on a newly sutured area.
It allowed me usually 5 days before having to change the bag. I was still under the care of a home care nurse at the time and she has since offered that to her patients who are having similar problems. It takes more effort to remove and clean the skin when the appliance needs to be changed but it was so worth it for me! Good luck to you! PS, I was almost 78 years old when I had the colostomy. I thank my lucky stars for this website to allow the additional help we need from time to time from peoples' experiences and suggestions.

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

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 .

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

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.

@mswilde are you malnourished or thin?

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)

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.