Sore Near Stoma: Could It Be a Fistula?

OK all. I went to the doctor today ( local family doctor) with concern for a sore that has come up below my navel and beside my stoma. This has been going on for maybe two months. Thought it might have been yeast causing the issue since the warm weather and the wraps tend to make me hold in moisture in that area. All yeast meds taken and ointment also. No response over the past two weeks, then today the doctor mentions a CT scan to ensure that this is not a fistula trying to show itself. This is a big scare that I was not prepared for. I will be seeing my Crohns doctor on the 16th and will go over all of this found information. Has anyone else dealth with sores coming up around the stoma. I am having to cut alot of the adhesive area off of my appliance because it tends to irratate it more. I would sure like to find out what this is. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Hello Shelly2012.
I can't help with suggestions but I'm very keen to know what the answers may be. So thank you for the post and keep us posted as to what the doctors have to say.
Best wishes Bill.

Hi Shelly,  

I had a similar problem recently. A sore above the stoma, under the adhesive, which opened up and became painful, drained and then cleared up. It was also necessary for me to cut the wafer around the sore to allow drainage. It started to happen again a few weeks ago after I ate some corn which had apparently become lodged on the inside of my stoma. I was able to dislodge the blockage myself before the sore became severe. I'm not 100% certain what caused the problem but if it happens again, I'm planning to see my nurse/doc. I am slightly allergic to corn so it might have been a reaction. Or I might be developing an allergy to the wafer adhesive. Have you heard back from your doc yet?


Mark

Hi Shelley - I'm not trying to cast aspersions on your doc, he/she may be really good, but I've found the WOCNs or my surgeon to be the best fountains of advice for stuff like this.  Sometimes doctors unfamiliar with ostomy issues can come up with scary ideas that may not apply.  If you haven't done so, please check with your local hospital's WOCN.  They will see you on an outpatient basis.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I appreciate any and all responses. I have been trying to keep my head above water. After multiple visits each week to the wound clinic and trying many things, I questioned the wound clinic if it could be a staph infection since it was being so difficult to clear up and come to find out it was. This meant even more visits to the wound clinic and dr. offices. I am ALWAYS careful when dealing with my ostomy, but this is something that I never want to have to deal with again. On top of all of this, since it was a staph infection, I had to come off of my Crohns meds and wound up with a flair up that has still not cleared up. Dr. changed injections from Humira to Cimzia and now I am trying to get used to them. I hate staying swollen all of the time and this is how the Cimzia is reacting with me. Right now, I am just going to take my time and try to enjoy the holidays with my family and hopefully things will work out. I have an appt to see my Crohns Docs. on the 20th. I have seen my surgeon and she believes that I am going to have to have another surgery soon, but I am trying to wait until the holidays are over.

During my last visit with the WOCN nurses, I had to change my appliance and I did something and the ostomy nurse said that she had never seen anyone do it. I use the adhesive remover when changing my appliance and when I tear the top of the pack off, I press the opening of the pack against the top adhesive on my appliance. This lets the tape get wet from the excess liquid in the pack and then I take the swab out and begin to remove the appliance. This helps the top peel off easier and with less irritation to the skin. I just wanted to let everyone know in case this may be useful to anyone else.

Tips on Hernia Prevention with Collin | Hollister