Managing Stomal Bleeding: Seeking Advice and Shared Experiences

In 1994, my bladder was removed due to a large cancerous tumor. I have been wearing a Convatec wafer and pouch since June of that year. In the last 2-2 1/2 years I have had bleeding from the stoma and my urologist has been content to have me apply pressure and use silver nitrate sticks to cauterize the site of the bleeding. This year I have been to the emergency room three times and during one visit an ER doctor was able to suture a tear on the stoma which stopped the bleeding for about a month and one half. Has anyone had similar bleeding and is there any thing that can be done short of surgery? Thank you.

Bernard, I would try getting an appointment with an ostomy nurse to point you in the proper direction. I don’t know how the bleeding started or where it is on your stoma. Could you provide more details. It sounds like it may require minor surgery of which a gastroenterologist or gastric surgeon can determine.

I've never heard of suturing the actual stoma. There must have been a tear. I can't imagine how that could've happened but I'm glad to know the surgeon was able to fix it .

Sometimes you need another opinion if things aren't right.

My stoma bleeds a little sometimes around the edge if I don't get the wafer positioned right and it rubs my stoma.

I hope your problem is resolved!

E& I

It's always good to see a medical / surgical  professional.....or get a second opinion (  or t hird) if it doesn't solve t he problem.    But in my experience,  most doctors  don't  know much about the maintenance of an ostomy...   I've had mine for over 55  years, and back in the day, there were no stoma nurses...   If t he surgeon, saw what he thought was a " tear" and was able to close it.....then it probably needs to be monitored...   But my first thought would have been to try other wafers/  ostomy pouch systems.   Back in the day, when I was cutting holes in wafers...  there were times a blunt edge    " scratched t he  stoma, causing irritation , not just around it,  but on it...  It also happened when I use to wear a  b elt, and it pulled the wafer/  pouch..up to high,   damaging / irritating t he stoma...  A number of years ago I switched to convatecs Moldable wafer......which actually is designed to  " hug" the stoma,  with  the soft pliable   sticky wafer  substance..   It's not perfect,    but  I rarely get stoma irritations,    although t he skin around the stoma sometimes breaks down and bleeds...   I'm hesitant to try  other  wafer's where I have to cut my own  opening...       Keep an eye on  the repaired area,   but also consider  calling convatec, and asking for  a free  sample...   If you have any other questions, feel free t o write...   Marsha