I'm a long-time ostomate but have developed peristomal ulcers. I'm not getting much help from the medical community. There is no local ostomy nurse, and the closest one only sees inpatients right after surgery.
Has anyone had this issue, and how did you heal them?
Thanks in advance.
At the time I had an ulcer I didn't have access to a nurse but I had some basic knowledge of ulcer treatment and this is what I did below:-
A few years ago I had a very painful peristomal ulcer (about one inch diameter) about two inches under my stoma (but not connected to it), that I treated with a silver dressing - the product I used was Convatec's Aquacel Ag, a felt-like dressing that I cut to fit to completely cover the ulcer and placed a duoderm dressing over the top and then my wafer/bag over the top of that. It needs to be left on for a few days so I just changed the dressing when I was due for a bag change (every 4-5 days). As soon as I started using the Aquacel the pain was immediately gone. It did take a couple of months to fully heal but it hasn't recurred since.
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This site is a godsend. As a newbie (colostomy on Nov 8, '21), I look at it every day for a number of reasons. Reading what people are going through makes me grateful that my elective surgery because of a severe case of IBS-C is nothing compared to what they have been through and are still living with.
I don't have to go to the hospital for anything related to my ostomy. I feel sorry for those who do and am in awe of those who can use humor to describe their ordeal. I identify with those who express their fears. I especially identify with those who are depressed because I am clinically depressed and have general anxiety disorder. How ironic that having a colostomy eliminated some of the depression and anxiety that the IBS created. I've been widowed twice and I'm on match.com.
I immediately included my operation in my profile and am pleased to say it doesn't seem to make a difference.
And there is much humor on this site and it's one of the reasons I enjoy it so much.
I could name numerous things I've learned from reading people's comments/questions/answers.
After months following on a daily basis, my only negative comment is I don't like listing the most popular members.
It's not that I don't like these people; I do. It's that I think it elicits some "Facebook"-like banter or comments that are gratuitous.
I don't do any social media and think that its merits are overshadowed by too much negativity.
Meetanostomate is in no way negative. I just think the gallery of "popularity" detracts from what is an excellent website that deals with a serious issue that causes a myriad of emotions.
I tried the silver alginate dressing that was recommended in several articles, but it irritated the skin around the ulcer and it got bigger.
Thanks for responding.
Can you post a pic or two? I am trying Nyostate for irritated skin around the stoma presently. It's too early to say anything about it yet, but it's a prescription, so you would need to see a doctor.
I would imagine that you won't need to see the doctor. Just ask him for a prescription and go pick it up. I have found that a little goes a long way. I dust my prep pad with it and apply it that way. If you over-do it, your barrier won't stick very well. That's ok, because you're going to need to change your appliance every 2-3 days until it heals.
Mine initially had ragged uneven edges until I applied the silver dressing and after a few days the ulcer did seem larger but now had very clearly defined smooth edges and looked a lot healthier (I didn't have the irritation though). The ulcer was about 1 cm deep so I packed small pieces of the dressing into the wound. As I said it did take up to 2 months to completely heal but as I was now pain free I was happy to wait.
Hope you find something that works.
A huge hole opened up several days after surgery, right at the bottom of my surgical cut. It leaked a lot and got bigger. I, of course, freaked out. Looking at it in a mirror, that hole went way back.
My surgeon was surprisingly nonchalant about it. He told me to buy Vashe wash, silver alginate, and gauze on Amazon.
Every day, I lay on my back and poured Vashe into the hole until it filled up. (I was not happy doing this at first). I let it sit for a couple of minutes. Then, I blotted up the Vashe with a paper towel, cut a piece of the alginate to fit into the hole, and then stuffed it in. (Yikes). I overlaid a piece of gauze and taped it in place.
Every day, the hole got a little smaller. And in about 4 weeks, it closed up completely.
I still have a huge scar from it, but it's better than a hole.
Hey John. How's it hanging?
Welcome to the club. Good to have you.
Re: the script? You might be right just calling the doctor for it. But I'm sure they are going to want to see what the deal is eventually and ask you to make an appointment.
Re: the powder? Yup. Sprinkle it on and rub a bit into the skin; it works, but the trick is the protective spray. When you spray the area, the white powder disappears. Poof! I am putting 2 "coats" of the spray over the powder, allowing a lot of time for the spray to dry, of course. That is a given.
The powder for me seems to be doing fine. Today is my second day using it. No issues with adhesion, and skin looks better. So time will tell.
I had open sores and weeping blood from the skin last week.
Air drying helped, but had to see a nurse for a script because we weren't sure of the irritation origins. Now we do. Eakin seals.
P.O.S.
I highly suggest going and seeing your surgeon, the one who did your ostomy surgery. Your primary isn't going to know much. But I wouldn't go messing around with something like that without having it looked at by a doctor and then telling you what exactly to do.
Unfortunately, my surgeon is now in Chicago, if still in practice. I asked my primary for a referral to a surgeon. It was 4 1/2 months before the office called to say they got the referral. An appointment would take several more months. Very frustrating.
Thanks for responding.
