Ostomy Support Forum

I was just wondering if my stomach cramps and mucus produced by my rectum are going to be a lifelong struggle. It is 3 weeks every other month, and I'm unable to leave the house for that time.
Please, any advice is greatly appreciated!
Tiffany

The bottom of my stoma has blood coming out of it, not the hole where the urine comes out. It is getting hard to stop it. It's been bleeding almost 24 hours now, off and on. I've used pressure, ice cubes, and it stops for a bit but starts back. It fills my bag full. What can I do to stop it? My kids say they see a raised bump on it.

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this great forum/group
I had my permanent ileostomy in April 2024 after living with ulcerative colitis for 22 years. I've never been slim, but I'm now at my heaviest I've ever been, after putting on over 3 stone since my operation last year! My GP has got me signed up with a gym/PT, but I'm struggling to get to many sessions due to work, childcare, and overwhelming fat ...

Hi folks. I had my ileostomy about 8 months ago. My surgeon is pleased with my progress, but I have an ongoing problem with kidney function. I take 8 loperamide daily to help thicken stoma contents. If I drink too much liquid, the stoma contents are too loose, but if I cut back on what I drink, then my kidneys show signs of dehydration. I've been referred to a renal specialist, but I just wond ...

It is very difficult to use appliances. I have to change daily.

I have had my ileostomy since 1986 due to UC. I had a great stoma therapist prior to and after surgery, and I know that has made a HUGE impact on my recovery, acceptance, or whatever you want to call it. Because of her, I am pretty much an open book and have always been willing to help other ileostomates when questions and concerns arise. Which brings me to this posting.
Once again, I have bee ...

Anxious about flying for the first time with a stoma. Anyone got any tips?

No sign of metastatic cancer! Now I'm hoping to hear from the surgeon about reversing my colostomy, but I guess it depends on how she reads the MRI and my scar tissue situation. But what a great birthday present! I do have to get back to my walking, though, so I'm in better shape. The other thing the PET scan showed was that when I fell a few weeks ago, I actually fractured my rib—no wonder ...

Happy Saturday and 4th of July week!
Anyone have recurrent bowel perforations?
Backstory: I got my permanent ileostomy in December of 2021. Everything went great healing from the surgery, learning to take care of it, and no complications until last April.
Last April, I ended up in the ER from severe dehydration due to an increasingly uncontrolled high output. Of course, the hospital didn't fol ...

I would just like to reach out to others with a colostomy

I have a 4" round hernia under my stoma and at least 3/4-1" high! Just found out 1-1/2 years after having surgery! I have to wear stretchy larger size pants to accommodate the hernia. I look horrible when I get dressed up... don't go out much anymore. Very uncomfortable, especially sleeping. I feel like I'm pregnant again, except with no beautiful outcome, and it lasts longer than 9 months! An ...