I'm over 2 years down the line from my stoma, and still hate "Colin" with a vengeance, still smelly, painful, and a nuisance, but a few months ago after getting a bad cold, I sneezed and had terrible pain, but that's sort of normal for me, as I'm a paraplegic. However, since then "Harold" appeared, and now sticks out about 5 inches on top of my horrible fat tummy. When I eventually showed my GP, she told me to see my wonderful stoma nurses at Glan Clwyd Hospital, and they confirmed my suspicions of having a hernia, which has now got a big sore on it as the skin's stretched, but what surprised me was that this could have been AVOIDED, had I been informed. I'd have done the exercises (not that I could do all of them being paralyzed from the waist down), but at least could have tried and would have done the sit-ups even though I'm in pain with various things 24/7. PREVENTION is much better than cure. I've now been measured for a girdle as a belt wasn't suitable as I don't stand or walk. However, as I have a suprapubic catheter, I have an awful feeling that the girdle will press on Thomas John the catheter/bladder. ...... so the only option will be an operation. As I'm morbidly obese, this isn't a real option, as I was shouted at by the consultant last time and humiliated in front of staff and patients alike! So much so that I nearly committed suicide whilst on the ward. Another thing to add to the other things that being a paraplegic entails, but hey, still smiling, just. So to all of you that ARE NEW and getting used to your stoma, ask your specialist stoma nurse for the list of exercises that can prevent a hernia occurring...... good luck, things do get better, but the more information you're given the easier things get, cofion/regards Meira xxx

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Learn about some strategies that can make it easier to talk about your stoma.