Pain Around Stoma, Need Advice

Dixie1

Jul 05, 2011 4:57 am

Hi,

This is my first post and hoping that someone might be able to help.

I have had an ileostomy for 42 years (was 10 weeks old when I had my surgery due to UC). I had my rectum and anus removed at age 7.

Thankfully, I have been relatively problem-free through the years, but recently I have been experiencing pain around the left side of my stoma. It's a rather sharp pain that feels tender to the touch and hurts when I am eliminating from my stoma. It feels like I've pulled something inside. This has never happened before.

I have ovarian cysts and am wondering if it is growing into my stoma.

Has anyone else experienced this type of pain?

I'm a little scared and need advice.

Any info is appreciated.

1 likes

banshie3by5

Jul 10, 2011 7:10 pm

Hi, you should definitely see your doctor if you haven't since this post. You could have an adhesion (scar tissue pulling) or a hernia.

When I was undiagnosed septic, my right ovary had encapsulated and grown to the size of an orange, affecting my guts. Because of a previous barium spill into the lower right quadrant, they could not see anything and blew it off as non-issue 'adhesion pain'. I finally bypassed my GI, went to my primary doctor, and demanded a resolution to the worsening excruciating pain. I was misdiagnosed with ovarian cancer mets to the right kidney. I went into surgery expecting to have a hysterectomy and remove the right kidney. I woke up with both my kidneys, no right ovary or fallopian tube, 3 bowel resections plus another ending in a colostomy. Due to blood loss, they had to finish the hysterectomy at the next (3rd) surgery. My primary apologized for the ball being dropped. My GI remained the same p.o.s. he was before, and I stopped seeing him.

So in answer to your question....yes, ovary pain can be a symptom of gut issues. But the pain around the stoma is definitely a must-see issue, also.

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Posted by: iMacG5

About seven years ago, just about every aspect of my life was ostomy related. From the moment I was told an ostomy might be needed until some months down the road I existed as a person afflicted with a colostomy. I feared someone other than my immediate family might find out I had a bag. Ugh! What could be worse? Suppose it filled real fast when I was out with no place to hide and take care of myself. God forbid should it leak in church! Suppose I roll over on it in bed. I was a lesser creature, destined to a life of emotional anguish and physical routines different from most of the rest of the world. I felt like a freak. Then I found folks like you guys here, read your stuff, really “listened” to what you had to say and I began looking at things differently. We know perception is everything and I began to understand how good things were relative to what they could’ve been. So many folks had it so much worse than I did. That didn’t make my discomfort go away but it exposed how fortunate I was to be dealing with my stuff and not their’s. I felt a little guilt, maybe selfishness but quickly forgave myself by understanding I just wasn’t smart enough to fix my feelings. Then, I wonder what smarts have to do with feelings. My perception was warped so my perspective toward my existence was warped.
I learned over the last few years with the help of lots of folks right here at MAO that I could be better at living just by accepting some facts. It is what it is and so what? It’s not the worst thing to happen to a person.
I think everything is, in some way, related to everything else. I just put the ostomy thing in the back seat and drive forward.
Respectfully,
Mike

Past Member

Jul 10, 2011 8:42 pm

I dislike doctors to the max, but I hope you listen to Banshie and check it out. It may be nothing significant but the alternative - serious stuff undiagnosed - is unacceptable. Let us know. Carol

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MarkP

Jul 11, 2011 10:08 am

As the other posts said, "See a doctor" as soon as possible. You don't want a bad outcome by waiting. Good luck and stay in touch.

Mark

Dixie1

Aug 03, 2011 10:31 pm

Thank you for all your advice, I went to the Dr. and although the pain had subsided, it was determined I had pulled the muscle around the stoma with an overweight book bag for school.

As far as the cysts go, he does not recommend surgery. It is far too risky. I've had my stoma my whole life. My first surgery was at 10 weeks old.

So thankfully no surgery, but I get to keep the 4 cysts I have. I joked with him that I've pretty much had everything taken out of me, now I am just growing stuff. You got to laugh, right?

Thanks to everyone for your advice. Funny, we know what we should do deep down but have to hear it from others. Thankfully, I have a good friend that chimed in with a threat that they would drive me to the Dr. if I didn't get an appointment on my own!

This is a great place to read up on others' issues that we all share.

Have a good day.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Past Member

Aug 03, 2011 10:42 pm

So glad it wasn't anything requiring surgery. Nothing is really minor with these issues. And it is good for us all to hear positive outcomes.

I tried to check out your profile and didn't find anything. I would love to know more about you. "My first surgery was at 10 weeks old." You must have an interesting story. ... "An overweight bookbag"?

What do they do for the cysts?

Pain around stoma, need advice

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister