A simple formula if your illeostomy goes super runny on you

[Shamrock4806]

Salt excess and salt deficiency look the same, both can result in very runny, never ending output. (diarrhea)

So I had ChatGPT devise a determination so one can tell the difference.

The solution is behavioral testing, not guessing


When output suddenly goes watery:

Step 1 (always the same)

Stop drinking for 30–60 minutes

Eat dry starch or two tablespoons of creamy unsalted peanut butter (a very tiny bit of water to wash it down)


Step 2 (observe)

If it improves (90-120 minutes later) → food trigger (like fats, excessive salt, spices, leafy greens, artificial ingredients etc.)

If it worsens or you feel weak/dizzy → sodium issue


Step 3: only then adjust salt using a oral rehydration solution (ideal) or just eat something salty like a few crackers with a few sips of water.

Never adjust salt first obviously because if you do too much salt then you get diarrhea as well, then add more salt trying to fix it and make the diarrhea worse

I have tested this method (using creamy peanut butter) last night after eating takeout that I didn't realize was very salty and/or fatty sauce, sure tasted good though, until I was running to the bathroom to dump every ten minutes for hours after that.

If one falls asleep with a condition like this they could wake up to a mess. I've woken up quite a few times with overfilled bags, very scary.

Prevention or reduction is also possible by eating two tablespoons of creamy unsalted peanut butter 15-30 minutes BEFORE consuming fatty foods like gravey or sauces. Unsure if it will work or other issues at this time.

Peanut butter works, even though it's fatty itself which is weird, but it does so because acts differently on ones digestive system.

Hope this helps someone out there.

[Shamrock4806]

Another thing, if one wakes up in the morning with a dry throat, thirsty and ears are ringing that means a water and salt loss.

So have some lukewarm prepared oral rehydration solution made up and sip it slowly.