Dealing with a Painful, Bleeding Stoma - Need Advice

Replies
4
Views
1329
Verdun
Jun 11, 2020 9:18 pm

I have a very sore bleeding stoma. So painful I cannot sleep. Been to see my nurse about 5 times.... no change. Anyone got any ideas. I'm desperate now. Ruining my life. Thanks.

 

Past Member
Jun 11, 2020 9:51 pm

Is it sore around the skin area?  Stomas always bleed.  I would suggest if your skin is sore don't put a bag on but catch liquid into tissue. Put some calamine lotion on all sore areas. It means you being awake throughout and I guarantee after 24 hours your skin will have started to heal. 

Eagles2023

Yeah wow, this site helped so much, I mean really who do you know with this infliction? No one, felt so alone and disgusted by myself every turn.
But it ended up being so damn strengthening, I got fucking moving, really only another choice.
That's
Honesty
Truth
I was damaged by a procedure and ended waking with this, I understand all of you.. perhaps you had to have it, I get it.. doesn't matter either way.
Just wanted to share that

Verdun
Jun 12, 2020 11:12 am


Thankyou so much. Will try it.

jaykay75
Jun 12, 2020 5:23 pm
Very helpful

My stoma itself has never hurt, but the skin around it has caused me to lose sleep a number of times. I feel for you! I have started showering "naked" on occasion, meaning without a bag or wafer. Mine is an ileostomy which, as I understand it, is more active than a colostomy, so I wait until long after a meal before doing so. 

I prepare a new wafer so I can put it on as soon as I finish showering. While in the shower, I remove the wafer and use an adhesive remover wipe, and let the water run over my belly. Then I use a foaming soap that is actually part of a facial skincare line called Vichy. It's for sensitive skin - no perfumes, and I swear I can feel my skin relax instantly. (I've used Vichy for years and love it.) 

I would try to go wafer-free for as long as you can - even if it means sitting in the shower/tub for an hour. Let your skin dry completely before applying any products, and then apply them in stages, to avoid irritating your skin. 

I've also found that letting out a good scream in frustration can be helpful. 🙂  I get so tense when my skin is irritated that I can feel it all over me. Slow, deep breathing is relaxing. As is Lavender essential oil, it's a stress reliever. Sprinkle a couple of drops in your bath while you sit on the edge of the tub with your feet in the water, (don't sit in the lavender bath without a wafer!) and maybe some Epsom salts. I find that if the rest of my body is calm, I can deal with skin irritation a lot more easily. 

I hope that helps, Verdun. Hugs to you. 

Lacey
Jun 15, 2020 4:13 pm

Hi,

I use Eakan rings. I prefer the slim ones. My stoma is not a perfect circle but irregular. It's like really sticky firm play dough. I tear it open breaking the ring, this allows me to run it right along the edge between stoma and skin giving me a tight seal between the flange and my skin. I've seen people apply it to the actual flange but I prefer applying it directly around the stoma for a more precise seal. I am assuming your pain is here? Or are you suffering on the wider skin around?  It last quite a long time for me. Longer than paste. And is a complete barrier. 

Good Luck! 
L

 

My Ostomy Journey: Kimberly | Hollister

Play