Ileostomy vs Colostomy: Which is Easier to Manage?

Hi, I just would be interested in people's views on whether the ileostomy or colostomy is best to deal with. I have a permanent colostomy, and after a few problems initially, it seems to have settled down and is not too hard to deal with. The main difficulty is that I am very restricted in my diet; no green vegetables or raw vegetables, which were my favorite. However, after reading some of the stories on here, it seems to me that an ileostomy must be a lot worse. In which case, why do some people start with the ileo and then go on to the colostomy? Sorry if this makes me appear ignorant, but I am just interested. Thanks, Jenny

supernan,Yes, I agree, an ileotomy is worse although it might depend on where the colostomy is performed i.e., how much large intestine is left.

Hi Jenny,
Honestly, I think everyone's experience is different. I have an ileo, have never had a bit of trouble with it or with the supplies. I've read about colostomy issues and have thought, "Thank God I don't have to deal with that, lol." I eat all the green and raw vegetables I want (although I've learned from experience what to eat in moderation to avoid blockage). Definitely no huge issue for me. A person can have problems with either an ileostomy or a colostomy, but I wouldn't trade!

Thanks both, I think it must depend on the personal experience and also the state of their health and reason for having it in the first place.

I have an Ileostomy and eat what I like, only problem I have is if I drink red wine my tank fills fast!

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What about white?!!

Hi Jen, From the stories I've read on this site by people who have ileostomies, I would say they have more problems than people like me with colostomies. I think it's because they pass liquid stool, they have more tendency of having leaks and skin irritations. Whereas people with colostomies pass more solid stool and don't have as much leakage problems except when we get occasional bouts of diarrhea. Plus, people with colostomies can wear the closed-end pouches and just toss them in the trash when it's full. No need to drain if you're passing solids. I had to do the drain thing when I first got out of the hospital, because my stools were not solid yet. And I had a hard time dealing with that. My surgeon said I had no food restrictions, but to keep track of any food that causes me problems. But everyone's different as to what foods they can handle. Good to keep a food journal. I've never heard of someone going from an ileo to a colostomy. But I've heard of people going from colostomy to ileostomy. Good luck with your colostomy. Donna

I thought I would put in my two cents. I have had a permanent colostomy for over 2 years as a result of botched surgery for rectal cancer and, more importantly, 28 rounds of radiation. In the nine years that I tried everything to heal my scarred and damaged rectum and bowel, I also had a temporary ileostomy for three months. The ileo ran constantly and filled like a huge balloon at night. Now my colostomy runs constantly. I can eat and see it two hours later...no possible way could I irrigate...no closed-end pouches...truthfully, not much difference for me than the ileo. I don't have quite the huge ballooning at night, which is the best I can say. I eat everything and did with the ileo, although I was more careful with popcorn then. I think the cancer card is different than the UC or Crohn's, however. My personal issue is my annoyance at people who urge, urge, urge you to irrigate. Like, why wouldn't I if I could? Another reason to feel bad.

Hello Superman, I have a colostomy, but it acts more like an ileostomy. I rarely get mushy, more watery. I also can't eat veggies or things with too much fiber, or the gas flows heavily. But I am also located in the middle of my stomach, not where they normally are, and it doesn't take long to digest foods either. So, I can eat a lot, just not at one sitting anymore. I eat 3 to 4 times, sometimes more, depending on what I do. Now, as far as blowouts, they happen depending on how much I move around. The weather, they put me in a 4-inch and gives me more room to seal on my skin. Plus, if I use a wax ring, it will last a little longer. I change 2 a day. I have had mine for 2 years now, and yes, farting while sleeping is a good one. I made a big body pillow so I don't roll over and explode. I made it so that I can't just roll on top of it. It's like the back of a couch; it keeps me still at night. I am used to sleeping on my right side, and that's where my whoopee cushion is, so it helped me out a lot. Also, I have a bed cover so that if I do blow out, I don't wreck my mattress.

I had a temporary ileo until February 2007 when they successfully created an ileo-anal pouch in September 2006 and closed it in February 2007. From when it was closed, I have had problems with it. Now I'm considering having it removed and getting a permanent ileo. Any advice, please!

I saw a surgeon who was gung ho on doing the ileo anal pouch J pouch and gave me an 85% chance of success. Then he examined me and dropped his estimate to 50%. I sought a second and third opinion and was told essentially: everyone develops pouchitis...it is an Unnatural surgery in that you are forcing one part of the body to perform like another...acting like a real colon does...reversals of the pouch are very high. While I wouldn't want to stop anyone in their journey to resolving our common problems I chose not to have the J pouch done and have never regretted it. If you read the posts on this site many,many people have had problems with it. I think it is very profitable for surgeons and hospitals to do them...they spoke to me about three separate surgeries. I would urge you to get as many professional opinions as to your personal chance of anything improving while you make your decision.

I think that on the whole, if I have to have one (which obviously I did), then the colostomy seems to be the lesser of two evils. However, some people seem to have a bad time with that as well. I have to say I agree with cee that it can be a bit annoying to hear everyone praise irrigation when we can't, but at least it makes some people's lives easier. I also do what weewee does, and that is to have a pillow on my right side, but that is as much to support the hernia as it is to stop me from lying on it. I think people just have to try different things and see what suits them. I have just come off iron tablets for the first time in 6 months and have found that I have become a bit constipated for the first time. I don't know whether it will help anybody else, but I eat soft licorice and drink Coke (usually a no-no for me) and find that the gas helps blow it all out. Not something I'd advise every day though, as it can be painful!

I have experience with both! I started out with a colostomy—I got to emptying it twice daily—although it was hard to get the pouch really clean as my stools formed quite well. I did suffer a lot with gas and also lots of loud noises at the worst, most embarrassing times! Now, a year later, I had to go under the knife again as my Crohn's started acting up in the large bowel again, and I had to have the large bowel completely removed—which ended up with removing my stoma on the left and now having it on the right and an ileostomy. I must say, I seem to like the ileostomy better—the stools are liquid and easier to clean, although it does fill up fast and I do have to empty more often. The noises and gas seem to have disappeared too!

It's good to hear from someone who has had both to hear their views. At the moment I am having a lot of trouble with mine, just a temporary blip I hope, but I think that is down to the hernia. It means I can't laugh a lot as it hurts, which is a bit of a nuisance, I'll just have to stop looking in the mirror!!