Thank you Jan for your reply. I have cut my Loperamide down further. My Metamucil was always just 1 level teaspoon t.i.d., but now I have brought that down to half the quantity. Still harder larger drier stool. I told my surgeon in September that I feel my stool is getting "hooked up" for a time behind my old stoma, absorbing liquid by sitting static tooting and then pushing through. He paid little if any attention. My whole belly is crampy; much different than before. To add to this, I have now had a gastroscopy last week by GI. Gastritis and duodenitis were found with biopsies pending. She is booking a CT enteroclysis to look for strictures, obstruction, etc. I pray something comes to light soon. Every day is misery and I keep trying to do the usual routine. I have read many of your responses and appreciate your intelligence and advice.