I have a colostomy (since May 2016). I was noticing in September that my stomach around my stoma would get hard, I'd feel nauseous at times, have pings of sharp pain on the top or side of my stoma. I was able to see my ET nurse who said I had a hernia. But I don't understand why my stomach gets so rock hard for a few days to a week. When it's "normal" everything's fine but when it's hard I leak every day and have to change everything. I've asked about this in my support group and no one's heard of this before. I'm not sure what to do. My ET nurse said when it's hard it's probably full and just working but I have normal BMs during the time when it's hard. Once to twice a day.
becrhomat
Jan 10, 2017 7:27 pm
Past Member
Jan 11, 2017 1:21 am
Hi. I've had my ileostomy since 1985. Never had a problem with the stoma. Sounds like you need to see a GI to find out what's going on. It's not normal, so keep hounding your GI, not a nurse, for answers.
BJ
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Posted by: iMacG5
About seven years ago, just about every aspect of my life was ostomy related. From the moment I was told an ostomy might be needed until some months down the road I existed as a person afflicted with a colostomy. I feared someone other than my immediate family might find out I had a bag. Ugh! What could be worse? Suppose it filled real fast when I was out with no place to hide and take care of myself. God forbid should it leak in church! Suppose I roll over on it in bed. I was a lesser creature, destined to a life of emotional anguish and physical routines different from most of the rest of the world. I felt like a freak. Then I found folks like you guys here, read your stuff, really “listened” to what you had to say and I began looking at things differently. We know perception is everything and I began to understand how good things were relative to what they could’ve been. So many folks had it so much worse than I did. That didn’t make my discomfort go away but it exposed how fortunate I was to be dealing with my stuff and not their’s. I felt a little guilt, maybe selfishness but quickly forgave myself by understanding I just wasn’t smart enough to fix my feelings. Then, I wonder what smarts have to do with feelings. My perception was warped so my perspective toward my existence was warped.
I learned over the last few years with the help of lots of folks right here at MAO that I could be better at living just by accepting some facts. It is what it is and so what? It’s not the worst thing to happen to a person.
I think everything is, in some way, related to everything else. I just put the ostomy thing in the back seat and drive forward.
Respectfully,
Mike
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NotDeadYet
Jan 11, 2017 7:48 am
Sometimes meds can make tummy fat "hard."
"Once or twice a day" isn't much for a colostomy. Work 8 oz of prune juice into your diet and see if that makes a difference.
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Bill
Jan 12, 2017 9:46 am
Hello becrhomat.
I don't have a definitive answer to your question and I must admit that when I first started having these sorts of sensations it was a bit worrying. I too have a hernia so some of it might be down to that but over the years I have noticed that the worst of the pain and hardness is usually about 30 minutes to an hour before I pass wind, so natually, I link the two together and it no longer bothers me.
Irrigation helps a lot both with the wind and the pain, so if you are a candidate I would recommend giving it a go.
Best wishes
Bill
becrhomat
Jan 12, 2017 5:41 pm
Mine lasts a few days to a week. During that time, I have BMs and gas like I normally do. I'm so frustrated. I just want to cry all the time. And I have a vocal disorder and can't talk, so I can't just pick up the phone to call someone to help. All I do is clean up after myself, it feels.
Bill
Jan 12, 2017 6:05 pm
Hello becrhomat.
You may have a vocal disorder which holds you back in that medium of communications. However, you are very talented when it comes to writing so Perhaps you should exploit this talent and communicate with your stoma nurse in the wiritten form to explain not just the physical symptoms but also how it makes you feel.
Having a stoma can be extremely frustrating at times and the more you know about the way it works (and sometimmes doessn't) the easier it seems to be to cope with what it throws at you.
I agree with jconnor about keep hounding the professionals and maybe do this in writing.
Best wishes
Bill
becrhomat
Jan 13, 2017 6:12 pm
Thank you....my doctor in Toronto is going to email me with an appointment, thank goodness.
Bill
Jan 14, 2017 8:09 am
Hello Becrhomat.
It's great that you are going to get an appointment.
Let us know how it goes.
Best wishes
Bill
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Past Member
Jan 21, 2017 12:13 pm
I hope your appointment goes well. That must be difficult at times to only be able to communicate in writing, but it seems nowadays with texting, email, blog writing, it is the most effective and easier way of communicating.
becrhomat
Jan 24, 2017 12:11 am
I've finally gotten a diagnosis of abductor spasmodic dysphonia...basically my nerve malfunction. AND I've gotten an appointment in Toronto with my doctor and ET nurse (they sometimes work together). My friend from my support group is going with me for support and to make sure questions get answered!!! Good news bad news situation but I'm feeling positive!!!!
Bill
Jan 24, 2017 6:51 am
Hello Becrhomat.
Thanks for letting us know what the diagnosis is as it enabled me to look it up. Fascintating!--and it looks as if their are treatments for it that have some success so that's good news.
Please let us know how you get on.
Best wishes
Bill
becrhomat
Feb 03, 2017 4:11 pm
Unfortunately, I've been diagnosed with a rare and incurable voice disorder. Treatment is Botox every 3-4 months.
ChrisP
Mar 04, 2017 8:35 pm
Re: Your original subject - this is a long shot, but I had those sort of symptoms, and they led to a diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis in the area around my stoma. The area around the stoma became hard and swollen for periods of time, I had sharp pains, and a general feeling like I had been punched in the stomach. Does this ring any bells with you, becrhomat?