What are the little beads in the bag?

Diseases & Conditions Ostomies
1
Holly has a question, and I told her that I would ask for her.
 
She says that when she empties her bag it always has little bead like things in it.  They seem hard, and sometimes there are more than other times. 
 
Could this be some of her medicine that is not dissolving all the way? 
 
Please let us know if you have any ideas.  Thanks for being here.  Smiles and hugs, Jan
2
The bead like things are probably undigested foods. Things like corn, carrots, skins of potatoes or fruits don't digest very well and can come out in pieces. Medicines are made to digest and shouldn't come out whole. Hope this helps.
Cathy
3
I agree that it could be some food that she is seeing. But I do think that it could be possable that it is a medication that is not having time to be digested before it is expelled into the bag. This can happen if a tablet has a time release coating. It's always better when possable to take liquid medication when you have a stoma,but if not, always ask for the tablets that are"not" time release.

Sue

4
I'm betting it's some medication she's taking in capsule form. If you open the capsule you'll probably find the same white beads. It means she's not absorbing the medication properly and needs to see her doc to see if it can be taken in another form, preferably liquid.
 
http://www.ostomates.org

I'm not a complete idiot - some parts are missing!
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Ileostomy for 27 years since I was 10 years old, due to UC.

5
Whem I eat anything with poppy seads it will show up the next day in the same form as when eaten. They are a pain to try to remove. Just another possibility.
6
Thanks for all of the information. I gave Holly your suggestions, and she said that when she wakes in the middle of the night, she can tell that her meds did not do their job. So, we are thinking that it must be meds. She is going to the Dr. to ask for something other than time released capsules. Thanks alot. I can always count on someone here knowing the answer. Smiles and hugs, Jan
7
:-)  It's could be just food.  Cornmeal & wheat products: breads, fritos, taco shells, farina (cream of wheat), tamales, you would be surprised what carbohydrates do not totally breakdown.  It feels like sand, you can hardly see it, but we feel it!  Good luck to your daughter.
 
cathy