Gemini16 wrote: |
If you don't mind, I have a couple of questions for you, or anyone else who would like to reply. Is it normal to feel pressure behind the stoma? When I feel that, I press on the top of my flange and usually air or thick output will come out. Is that normal? Is it normal to be very "airy"? I wake up full of air no matter if I eat dinner the evening before or not, but I'm more "airy" when I eat dinner the night before. Once a week I have a day when my stoma is on overdrive and shooting liquid output like he's on steriods, but other days of the week he's just a lazy bum. Is that Normal?? I drink Chicken Broth throughout the day and most of the solids from the chicken broth don't come out with the liquid, and I usually press them out. . . Normal? Even eggs and coffee "solids" make my stoma "putt" and come out slowly and very thick. . . I drink copious amounts of rasberry water and try to flush myself out. Is this how it's suppose to be?? My eggs for dinner start trying to come out before I'm even finished eating. . . is that Normal? Again, Thank You sooooo Much for replying to my original post. It means a lot to get comments and advice from anyone who takes the time to reply. Gemini |
Happy to help, Gemini! I would love for the rest of this community to share their experiences, too. We are better together. Many of your questions don't have a clear answer (sorry!), but I'll do my best.
1. Pressure behind the stoma: Some people might feel this when a thick bit of output is passing through. Pressing on the flange may force more air/output out. Massaging around the stoma can be done, but best to be sure your flange is not bruising the stoma/peristomal skin. It may be better to use a knee-to-chest position or warm shower (I realize you may not want to take a warm shower in the middle of the night!). However, pressure behind the stoma can also be a sign of a hernia and/or bowel obstruction. Best to follow up with a surgeon or other healthcare provider.
2. Passing air: What you described sounds pretty normal. If I manage not to wake up in the night to empty (rare), my pouch has a lot of air. Reglan may be increasing this for you.
3. Stoma active some days and less active others: There could be a lot of reasons for this (liquid diet, Reglan, etc.). When we eat a primarily liquid diet, the GI system becomes less able to absorb nutrients and increases the liquid output. Reglan may also be playing a part as it keeps the GI tract moving. Side note, a dietitian consult might be of benefit.
4. Output coming out in "spurts"/before finished eating: Output can look like spurts because of the change from higher pressure in the stoma to the lack of pressure outside. Also, the rhythmic small intestine muscle contractions (plus Reglan) on the output make it "spurt." Mine absolutely does this and I've seen several others act like a fountain, very inconveniently! Everyone's output time is different depending on what they ate, what was in their GI tract already, how much small intestine they have, etc. For some people, it is not unusual to see their food as output within 20-30 minutes.
Normal is different for every ostomate. Best to follow up with a surgeon, GI, and/or ostomy nurse if you have concerns.
Wishing you the best,
NWAO