Struggling to Accept My Colostomy as Part of Me

Find a pouch system that works for you. Send for samples from the advertisers on here. Google ostomy appliances; they all want your business. If you have a lot of liquid output, try using a drainable pouch, then you can empty as you go. Get on with your life, otherwise having the operation will seem not to be worth it. Remember, for many people, the bag is the least of their problems. I know it's easy to say, but really try to start looking forward.

Monsieur... since I've been on this site, I've gotten some really good advice and, just like you, they say, "Get on with your life." Everyone is right; I have to get past this, get over it, stop feeling so down. The first thing I need to do is change the name; no more "monster." Since my stoma is pink and my favorite cartoon is the Pink Panther, that's its new name. Thank you, everyone, for all the advice, and it's good to know that I have new friends that I can talk to about the Pink Panther and not be scared. Thanks.

I have had my iliostomy for 3 going on 4 years now. It was really hard for the first few months, but after I learned how to do things for myself, it got a lot easier. The odor was the worst for me until I found Fresh-Awl and also Stop Odor Plus. Now I don't have any odor at all. I change my bag about three times a week and use the two-piece; the bag has an opening in the bottom. I use a container and put it in the bathroom sink and empty my bag into it. I have a squirt bottle. I squirt the bag full of water to wash it out, then empty everything into the toilet. I don't get any splash at all. I hope this will be helpful to someone. Hope you adjust really soon, Ragdoll. I also eat anything I want. If it is a gassy vegetable, then I take a Gas-X pill before eating. If you use AllKare protective wipes, it will make the wafer stick to your body a whole lot better. If I don't use it, I have leaks all the time. With it, no leaks.

What a positive site. I have had my ileostomy for 13 years and it took years to find the right system. I am still learning little tricks that help deal with odor (chew parsley) and leaks (change the bag as soon as you feel burning). I use one-piece Active Life, and if I feel burning, it means it is leaking around the stoma and I will have a mess and a burn to deal with. All Kare protective wipes help. Ragdoll, I am glad you changed the name of your stoma and told your family the name as well. The more you share with your close friends and family, the more comfortable you will be. I wish you the best. My motto has been there is a life after the bag.

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Happybaglady, I use a two-piece. What's the difference between the one and two? Someone told me to put Tic Tacs in my bag. I have the liquid, but I really want to try other things. You talk about a burning feeling. Where does it come from? I have never had that feeling. I feel better with the name change; it doesn't sound so scary. Not too many people know I have the bag. I've pretty much secluded myself in the house. I know... I need to get out of this house and live my life. I'm trying, and with the help from people on this site, I'm doing better. Thanks for listening.

RAGDOLL - I have had an ileostomy for 1 year. It was an emergency operation. I had ulcerative colitis for 2 years. I went down to 82 pounds after the operation and also had a collapsed lung from the anesthetic. This operation saved my life, which I can now enjoy with my 3 granddaughters. One granddaughter said, "Why do you poop from your belly and pee from your bum?" I said, "It's because the doctor put some stitches in my belly." She just said, "Oh." Kids are so accepting!

Ragdoll- Wow, I thought it was just me, meaning I have the same feelings as you, and the other day the exact same thing happened to me at the doctor's office. The same doctor who keeps urging me not to have a reversal surgery. See, I went into the hospital less than 2 months ago for a routine female surgery, and when I woke up a few weeks later, I was told that the surgery went horribly wrong and that I had several surgeries to keep me alive from the first botched surgery. I am very grateful and blessed to be alive, but this situation has totally changed my lifestyle. I cannot do something as simple as fit into my clothes. I unfortunately got laid off a few weeks before the surgery, so that, coupled with this whole ordeal, has me completely depressed! I am praying I find a doctor who can and will give me a reversal, and I also pray that things go well this time.

Hey, has anyone ever had this issue? If so, I need help. I have an inny stoma, so my problem is that when I put the skin barrier on, I always have the issue where bowel is getting underneath it, always. If I eat certain things like beef or pork, I pretty much always have an accident because the bowel pushes the barrier from some end off of my skin. I am growing tired of washing bed sheets almost daily and fear going to many places since I've had this for fear I'll have an accident. I am even afforded a trip at the end of the week and am scared to go for fear that accidents will occur while traveling and when I get to my destination. Is there anything anyone can suggest that would not allow the bowel to leak underneath or out of the barrier? I am desperate for a solution!