Is there anybody out there who can share their thoughts or experiences with an ileostomy that stings? It's not the skin around the stoma; it is the actual stoma that stings as poop is coming out. No matter what my husband seems to eat, every night it stings, and he has watched his diet consumption and all. Stoma nurses don't seem to know why; we are seeing our surgeon tomorrow to see if there is something medically wrong, but nobody can seem to answer the question as to why it stings, and it's every night. It's so unbearable. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, which could be a complication, but nobody can answer this question. Also, if anyone has experienced this and knows the successes as to how to stop it from stinging, please answer us as well. Thank you so much!
G-Day MC,
It's good you're going to see your surgeon tomorrow. The stoma has no nerves, so you should not have any pain at that point; it could be coming from the inside below or around the stoma. Let us know the outcome, please.
Regards, IGGIE
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How soon after surgery is your husband now?
I had the exact same complaint after surgery, as soon as I started chewing anything my stoma would sting, it hurt and bothered so much that I had a hard time eating.
I spoke to my surgeon about it and he explained it’s not actually the stoma I was feeling, but the small intestines (I have an ileostomy) moving closer too and thru my skin. The new anatomy was causing the stinging and pain.
The surgeon promised it would go away as I get used to the sensation and I would stop thinking about it. At first I didn’t believe it ever would, but now 7.5 weeks post surgery it’s gone. I no longer feel it.
If this is the same thing your husband is experiencing, hang tight, one day he’ll just stop feeling it, hopefully very soon.
Good luck
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I get a stinging sensation perhaps fortnightly when something is exciting the stoma right at the exit hole, been doing it for years, only lasts seconds.
Good responses here. I hope you both get answers today at the appointment. ☺️
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Like Alex, I'll occasionally get a stinging sensation when my stoma is active. It never lasts long and isn't really painful, just noticeable. I've never figured out what causes it. What you describe doesn't sound normal or OK, so I hope you get some answers.
Terry
Went to the surgeon and it looks like he needs more fiber in his diet; what is coming through is acidic... we will see. By the way, he had surgery on March 24, 2023. Thank you for your comments.
Keep us posted, please. There are others facing this same exact issue. Anything you try, anything that helps or fails, will help those in the same boat. Thanks!
The last 2 chemos that I had, my oncologist added a new medicine, Bevacizumab and I have similar experience too. Odd sensation from inside of stoma when semi solid output comes out, stinging on the skin that is not even irritated and also skin that is around the outer wafer becomes extremely sensitive even when the appliance touches the skin I would feel stung and itchy. I had to take painkiller drug prescribed by my doctor and use cooling gel pad (Japanese brand for fever, you stick it on your forehead to cool down your temperature). The gel helps a lot.
During chemo, my doc recommended that I take Miralax daily to ensure the output was the consistency of toothpaste & that seemed to help me
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