Seat Belt Discomfort with a Stoma: How Do You Manage?

Well, all of us who drive know what a pain seat belts can be.
OK, I drive for a living, so here is the question.

How does everyone cope with wearing seat belts?
Those of us who have our stoma on the right side or left side have problems with the seatbelt rubbing against the stoma, so how does everyone deal with this issue? I'm paranoid about the seatbelt rubbing against the stoma, so
I'd love to see lots and lots of replies to this as I feel everyone would probably like the answers to this one from Geoff.

Hi Geoff - I have to say I have never had a problem with my seatbelt; I think it is just below my stoma fortunately!
Rach xx

Hi there Geoff, you came up with a really good question, one I used to have nightmares about, as my stoma is right on my belt line I make sure my seat belt is above that, but with different cars the positioning of the seat belt can really be a pain in the ass, not to mention what it could do to your stoma if it sits too low and even in a mild accident I fear of what could happen. Fortunately, for me the last car I bought the seat belt position comes above my belt line, otherwise I'd make sure I had a stoma belt with a hernia cup in hopes it would protect my stoma. It should be interesting to hear from others on this question, good luck and good health, Ed

When I get pulled over and they ask why I don't have on my seat belt, I just show them why and they don't say much.

never been a problem for me, never even thought about it.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hi Tall Geoff,
My answer to your seat belt concern is to tuck a folded hand towel under the belt, cushioning your tum. I use a towel with success; it distributes the effect of inertia seat belts, so you're safe and secure in case of an emergency. I do understand, we all want the protection of the seat belt but not the risk of pancaking the contents of the stoma, which is what happened to me...oh no!!! I hadn't driven for 12 months, when I became mobile again off I went. One of my first trips was about 20 miles, OK going, but coming back I felt my leg moist, looked down to my white pants dark brown wet patch, I was about 10 miles from home, so I just kept driving. Got home and you all know the rest. This couldn't happen again, so I started searching for an answer, knowing I couldn't be alone in this predicament. I found the answer somewhere online; since then, I've put a towel over my tum, the extra padding is the solution, no feeling against my ileostomy, no fancy gadgets, simple and easy answer.

Do hope this helps, just try it for yourself,
Best of luck Tall Geoff

Regards,
Angela

2lonely2long: your answer just goes to prove that sometimes the simplest answer is usually the best, keep it simple, thanks, Ed

Hi Geoff, I had my doctor  write an excuse for not wearing a seatbelt, and it was fine. Then, as time went on, I started using the seatbelt again. I guess I can deal with a little discomfort while driving. Mike

Thanks, guys. It's very interesting what people say. My problem is I'm not a small guy, and at 6 foot 9 tall, the belt hits right over my stoma. I used a towel today, and it was fine, but still a pain in the ass having to do that every time I drive. But hey, lol, I'd rather the hassle than a clean-up job because my bag has split. Lol. Keep the ideas coming, as they all help. xx Geoff

Hey,
Maybe try one of those comfy pads that you put around your seat belt.

For example: http://personalaid.com/Seatbelt-Pad-Lap-Seat-Belt-For/M/B002Z02OZC.htm?traffic_src=GB&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=GB&id=uk


Tim x

Hi Geoff!

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I don't get online as much lately, but nice to meet you

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My ostomy is in the way of that belt too, argh :/ and that seat belt has caused problems for me in the past. But I'm one who doesn't feel safe unless I'm wearing the seat belt these days, not since a girlfriend went sailing through her windshield....... so I discovered a few ways to make it more comfortable and less 'troublesome' .... like 2lonely2long said about using a towel...I have done that too!! It DOES help!! I had wrapped a dish towel around the belt in that area but since purchased one of those fuzzy cushion things that are actually meant for the shoulder strap and put it on the tummy belt, it can still be tight but it doesn't seem to 'cut in' as badly....definitely more cushion is better than having that strap pressing and rubbing so hard against you, that's for sure. Before cushioning that thing, wearing jeans wasn't too bad but whenever I would wear a dress of thin fabric that seat belt would sometimes make my stoma bleed a bit so I knew I had to figure something out....AND I recall having a little 'blowout' prob one day because of that darn belt...grrr. It was maddening.



Even though it's a pain in the ...........stoma...........lol..........I guess it's still a safer idea for other reasons than not wearing one at all. Hey, good luck with that dear!

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~Doe

Hi Geoff, I see you live in the UK. If you go to Halfords, they have a clip that you put on your seat belt. I can't remember what it's called, but it's for pregnant women; it works well for keeping the seat belt off your stoma. You might be able to get them at other car accessory stores.

I'm lucky I ride a motorcycle, but for kicks, I ride down the street with no shirt on just because I can. Some people gag and some applaud.
But for my truck, I put the belt under the bag and leave my shirt up. The three times I got pulled over for not wearing the belt, I cracked the bag open when the officer approached. All three times they said sorry and drove away. I'm a rebel and it feels good.

Hi Geoff
In the UK, we as ileostomists can be exempt from wearing a seat belt. I do carry the exemption in the car with me. I know some people would be safety conscious over this idea, but personally, with the surgery I had, I really don't have much of a choice but to protect the ileostomy as much as possible. Your GP can give you an exemption certificate if you ask him.

You're right, it is uncomfortable, but a doctor will write you an exemption. But the way people drive these days, I'd feel safer wearing one. The thing for pregnancies will work; just don't get one with the duckies, lol. I'm glad I'm not a trucker
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Never had a problem wearing my seat belt. I know I can get an exemption, but to be honest, if it ever did become a problem, I would try and find a solution that would still allow me to buckle up. I believe that there is a gadget on sale that allows a little slack in the belt for people with medical conditions. I'm sure the ostomy associations can recommend a suitable one.
I would never consider getting behind the wheel without a belt on!

Any 'damage' that might be caused by wearing a belt will surely pale into insignificance compared to the 'mess' you would be in if you had an unbelted car accident!

This is Zack, longtime ileostomy and also annoyed by the car seatbelt right where I least need it.
Heard about an item I am in the process of ordering. Some kind of semi-hard foam plastic spacer that fits over the belt right where the stoma is. Might check out "Weir comfees" on the internet. Or their address is P. O. Box 255, Alliston, Ontario, L9R 1V5. Phone 1-866-856-5088. Believe it costs around 25 dollars US. I'll let all of you know if I get one and it is any good.

Geoff,
I have a pillow to protect my stoma. Small couch pillow. Works great.

Hello there!
For those of you who have problems with stomas and seatbelts, I've found a simple way that works marvelously for me.
Buy a small clothespin or small pinch clamp and use it on the belt after you give your stoma enough slack... it's adjustable that way. It won't slide past the grab or V in the buckle. Hope this helps.
Lyke2travel

Hi all,

I know it's been quite a while.

Although my belt doesn't get in the way, because I can raise or lower my car seat to the correct position, I do worry about what would happen at impact.
When I rent a car that has a questionable lap belt, I sit on it and just use the chest belt. I still want some protection after all.

I use what is called a "Tiddy Bear." I saw them on the Ellen DeGeneres show and ordered online. It's a little pink teddy bear that attaches to the seat belt. I also use it on my Port-A-Cath sometimes after it's been accessed and is sensitive.
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Well, thanks, guys and gals, for all your comments. I drive for a living, but I really hate putting on my seatbelt, so I'm not sure which option to go for.

Oh, on a funny side, here are my options:

A) Get an exemption from my doctors and end up through the windshield in the event of a crazy driver smashing into me.

B) Continue to put on the seatbelt and have my stoma badly hurt or even cut off in the event of a smash, as the sharp tightening will for sure cut the stoma.

C) Try to get a clip to put on the belt, although this will also hurt in the event of a smash as the belt will then be loose.



And more ideas, lol.

Convatec has a plastic shield that is held in position by an elastic belt. The shield was designed for sports but works great with seatbelts. I use it all the time to help hold in a prolapsed stoma. Convatec does not charge anything for the shield or shipping it to you; however, you will need to buy your own elastic belt. The Convatec elastic is of poor quality so use the Colopast belt instead (it is the only belt I have found that has clips that fit the Convatec shield). Here's the number for contacting Convatec for a shield: 1-800-465-6302



PS. Always wear a seat belt. I have been a professional driver since 1978 and I train driving instructors. I have seen the horrific injuries that occur when a person hits the inside of a vehicle or is ejected onto the road. The force at 60 km/hr is equivalent to jumping from the roof of a four storey building.

This is ZACK, I just got one of those "Weir Comfees" seat belt protective covers and it really works. And it seems to be worth the 25 dollars U.S. (plus another 16 for postage to the US from Canada). Simple enough design; two-inch-thick Styrofoam blocks about two inches square sewn into the ends of a double-fold cloth cover maybe 10 inches long. Seat belt threads through like your pants belt loops and the blocks make two-inch-thick spacers against your belly. The cloth cover allows adjusting the space between the spacer blocks to leave your stoma free of any pressure from the seat belt. Took lots of words here but this is something I have been looking for a long time as we travel by car a great deal.

Had to get this back to add that this device looks like it would be just the thing in a crash as the spacer blocks against your belly would keep the belt from contact with your stoma.

Tall Geoff. This topic has come up again in 2015. The thread included a link to Convatec's product called Stomaplex; however, I'd be more concerned that it isn't crushproof or (more importantly) shatterproof! I live in Ontario, Canada, and my doctor agrees that the threat to the stoma is real, so he created a note which I have carried with me for the 20+ years since my surgery. I buy all of my ostomy supplies from Shoppers Home Health (who specialize in ostomy products). When I've asked staff or the supervisor, there has never been positive results from their research.

I've tried a number of remedies but always ended up with discomfort (chafing, irritation from the seatbelt) or blockage during longer trips (i.e., over an hour).

If anyone comes up with a real workaround (i.e., one that the seatbelt manufacturers won't complain about), I'd like to know about it.