I just realized today I've had my ileostomy 50 years! Where has the time gone? I've been very lucky and had very few problems. My skin surrounding the stoma is good.
I'm 69. I do wonder how people cope as they get older with their skin?
Skin can get thin for some in their old age. At the moment, I don't use any products to remove the pouch, but I guess that may change if my skin gets thin.
Wow! 50 years. You've experienced many changes and improvements in ostomy products. Great to hear how well you've lived with your ileostomy.
Thanks for sharing your golden stomaversary.
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Happy 50th stoma anniversary.
I'm a newbie. I have nowhere near your experience; I've only had my ileostomy for 37 years.
I go to a lot of ostomy events around the UK. I've talked and listened to a lot of stoma nurses; most are in agreement that adhesive remover spray is a must-have item, as skin takes a lot of abuse over the years with pulling bags off. As you say, skin gets thinner too; it goes a long way to help against tearing skin as it gets thinner as we age. I know adhesive removers have only been available for the last 20-ish years. I remember way back when I had my ileostomy in 1989, I had a wound infection, and district nurses were coming in to change dressings every day. They used to spoil me; they had about a 500ml can of 3M adhesive remover spray to remove dressings. They used to be naughty but nice to me, lol, and use it to remove bags as well. I remember being worried that it might harm my stoma or skin, lol.
Wow! 50 years! I cannot imagine what it must have been like in those early years in terms of products and choices. You have really lived this ostomy life and lived it well!
Happy Stomaversary to you 🤗👋🎉
50 years! Wow, congratulations!
Get some adhesive remover. Your skin will thank you.
Hi Poppy, happy stomaversary! I've had my ileostomy for 40 years and started using the remover wipes this year, as my skin stings after removal without the wipes. But I make sure I wash the residue off before the new wafer.
I am much older and only had mine 14 years -- but at 80, the skin looks the same as the day I got mine. If you do develop issues, do let the ostomy nurse know at your hospital. Wonderful advances in medicine have done so much to help have a good life!
Hi
I have also had my ileostomy for more than 50 years, but I will be 80 in February, and all is still good, and fortunately, it always has been.
My mum had a similar situation some 10 years before me, and she passed in February this year at the grand old age of 105.
She coped wonderfully on her own until she was 100, but then went into a care home and experienced a gradual decline.
She always worried about someone else changing her bag, but while she was at home, I know that the skin around the site was healthy, and I do believe that the care home took care of her stoma properly.
I am 48 years old. I can't say it has all been a piece of cake, but it is such a part of my life, I hardly think about it. I wear my regular jeans and take pride in my outfits. No difference there. I still play the same rotten golf as before, and only a few very close friends know about it—the ostomy, not the golf. I honestly think they have forgotten I have it. You will get to this point too, I hope. There are a lot more of us out there than you would ever imagine.
Hugs!
Kathy
I am 77 and have had my ostomy for 60 years. Ostomy supplies have come a long way. My first system was a rubber pouch that I had to wash out and reuse. To hold it in place, I used a special paste and a belt to hold the bag in place. Four years later, Hollister came out with a clear disposable bag that used a Karya seal around the stoma. I was able to purchase a disposable cover for the bag. It was best when I changed it every other day.
Now I use Sensura Mio, which is great for me and stays on well. I change every 3 to 4 days. I could go longer, but I feel it just isn't as clean.
I have lived a full life: college, teaching career (and still tutoring), lots of travel, married, and two daughters. Now I have the pleasure of enjoying my grandchildren.
What helps me is a positive attitude.
I've had my ileostomy for 52 years… I'm 77. Skin hasn't changed much; there is some scarring from when I first got it, but no issues lately, even though I used the Hollister Karaya pouches that were discontinued. I had to get used to different products last year, which was not easy; they are bigger and bulkier.
Happy 50 years. What has changed in products and the bags since you started?
Wow, 50 years! That's pretty amazing. I'm 77 and just got two stomas last year but have very little skin problem with either of them, although it seemed to take a while for the skin to get used to the adhesive. I change bags only once or twice per week, and if there is an itchy or red spot or two, I just sprinkle some powder on them and apply the new bag. This never fails to work. Your skin, on the other hand, has had 50 years to adjust, so I don't see why you should start having problems as you get older. I should add that I also have very sensitive skin, and even bandages often make it red and itchy.
So I am 78 years old and finally back to my normal level of energy (as I remember it) after ileostomy one and a half years ago. I've recently experienced problems with the base coming loose during more intense exercises that involved abdominal work and twisting in yoga positions. Any suggestions?
I really appreciate this thread. I've only had my ileostomy for close to 2 years, but I'm 67, and I do worry about how you age with an ostomy.
What if you get arthritis and your hands can't manage bag changes? Or your skin thins and you get more irritation? Or your partner can't help you anymore if you need it? These are just examples I've wondered and worried about.
It's great to hear examples of people aging well in spite of an ostomy and tips for dealing with aging issues.
I'm 67 as well. Aging for us is a concern. But not much different from everyone else. My wife's aunt developed frontal lobe dementia at 68 and is now in hospice care. My wife's mom is 85 and in an elder care facility. A lady I've known since I was 12 is 89, living at home and doing well. My best friend retired at 65, got frontal lobe dementia too, and died at 66. Another friend died at 50 from heart failure.
We can't predict the future; we just have to hope for the best.