Muscle Control for Managing Stoma Output

Has there been any situation where muscle control can help with output? I feel like if I clench some muscles in the skin around my stoma, I can control the flow of output. This is useful when changing the bag after a shower.

Hi Rene, I've pulled my gut in really far to encourage output to come out, but I don't know about controlling those muscles to stop it. I'm curious to see what others say.

I've never tried to do that before. I usually try to relax my muscles to keep output from coming out when I am doing a bag change, and I also time my bag changes away from meal times to keep there from being output while I am changing. Like, I will change first thing in the morning before breakfast or late in the afternoon before dinner. I also use marshmallows sometimes to control my output when changing my bag. I don't know that I think squeezing my muscles would impact my stoma output. I have an ileostomy, though, so maybe you have a colostomy and it is different for you? Is that the case?  

I have an ileostomy, and I do try to time bag changes appropriately. Usually, all is good about an hour after eating and after a shower at night. Marshmallows don't work for me; I can't get past the taste and don't like them. But I will keep contracting those muscles; maybe I'm onto something.

Hello. Pulling my gut in seems to help slow down output for me. Pushing my gut out a bit seems to cause output to come out. Of course, when not thinking about it, it will come out naturally from the normal course of digestion, like it is supposed to as well.

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

I'm with eefy and infinity. I've noticed that often, if I pull in my stomach muscles, it will make output come out, and relaxing the muscles is likely to have the opposite effect. It's not always the case, so it's totally unpredictable. My most recent pouch change was an example. My timing was off, and no amount of relaxing of muscles was going to stop that output! This was yesterday, and afterward I realized it was Friday the 13th! Should have known!

Terry

Maybe you are. I don't think I could do that, though. Especially since I just had surgery: hernia repair and parastomal hernia repair. I can't contract any muscles without pain.

You can fart longer if you flex your stomach muscles when you first start making noise, or so I've been told. 🤫😁

I gently squish as much out as I can in the shower. After all, the drain hooks up to the same main drain as the can. My output comes in fits and starts, so I shower mostly at night as it doesn't come flying out at the wrong moment.

Very timely topic since (3) months post-ileostomy surgery I'm developing a compulsive habit of accelerating my output through manipulation of my abdominal muscles. There are particular movements while standing that produce a high payload. It's like playing the slot machines with an unending coin supply. I probably run close to 2 liters daily. I have high output because I have high input. That's an entirely different topic thread.

I am hoping that I will become immune to the seemingly constant range of sensations produced by my stoma. Except for perhaps (2) periods in the day, I'm continually outputting in various ways. Imodium and psyllium husks, even in low amounts, produce a good deal of uncomfortable gas pressure, triggering a desire to speed the gas along by liquid consumption and abdominal contractions. If the bag is tucked in, even a drawstring waistband seems to be a stimulus for activity. Then I have buildup around the stoma that needs to be pushed down. I wear a 2-piece setup, and with the opening right below me, it's too easy to quite frequently snap open and want to clean off the buildup around the stoma or be amazed at how much that little sucker can put out. I should try out for the Output Olympics!

I do have concern that my quite frequent abdominal contractions with a left side maneuver, combined with a light downward pressure on the barrier, can contribute to breaking the barrier seal. I am currently averaging (3) days between changes. I'm having difficulty not intervening, particularly if I'm about to empty the bag, leave the house, or go to bed.

Sharon

I am a belly dancer, so I can undulate my muscles if I want to. If you gently press your stomach and tense it, it's amazing how much output happens. If I get rambunctious, the seal can break, so I try to refrain from being forceful. I, too, dislike going out with anything in my bag, so I do my best to empty my bowels before I go out. Imodium helps, and I reduce my eating and drinking. My dentist gives me shit for having a dry mouth, which is preferable to having a full bag. My output happens in fits and starts, which, when it goes, my bag gets packed all at once. Stomach muscles need to be strong for lots of reasons, so I don't see anything wrong with using them. Keep up your isometric exercises.