Swollen Stoma - Home Remedies & Prevention Tips

Replies
10
Views
3473
Angelicamarie
May 17, 2019 3:44 am

Hello all,

Since having my colostomy, my stoma has swollen up on three different occasions. This, of course, has been a frightening event for me or dare I say could be for anyone.

Each time the swelling happened, I messaged my surgeon and provided a picture along with my concerns and symptoms. Only once did I have to go in to be examined.

Your stoma could or maybe partially blocked from something you consumed. Here is something you can or may try before seeking medical attention. If your stoma is still red in color and you're still having output.

Sit in a warm bath for 15 to 20 minutes.

Apply a heating pad directly on your abdomen.

Sprinkle a small amount of table sugar directly on the stoma (helps the swelling go down).

Please be advised, this method works for me and your situation or results may be different.

Lastly, to avoid the possibility of this happening to you, "CHEW YOUR FOOD COMPLETELY BEFORE SWALLOWING!"

Hope this helps someone.....

Take care,

Angelicamarie

Past Member
May 17, 2019 6:48 am

You should always chew your food each mouthful 12 times. This breaks it down and it also lets your body know you have eaten well and will feel full. Go ahead, try it for a few meals.

Posted by: Audrey Warren

This site is a godsend. As a newbie (colostomy on Nov 8, '21), I look at it every day for a number of reasons. Reading what people are going through makes me grateful that my elective surgery because of a severe case of IBS-C is nothing compared to what they have been through and are still living with.

I don't have to go to the hospital for anything related to my ostomy. I feel sorry for those who do and am in awe of those who can use humor to describe their ordeal. I identify with those who express their fears. I especially identify with those who are depressed because I am clinically depressed and have general anxiety disorder. How ironic that having a colostomy eliminated some of the depression and anxiety that the IBS created. I've been widowed twice and I'm on match.com.
I immediately included my operation in my profile and am pleased to say it doesn't seem to make a difference.

And there is much humor on this site and it's one of the reasons I enjoy it so much.

I could name numerous things I've learned from reading people's comments/questions/answers.

After months following on a daily basis, my only negative comment is I don't like listing the most popular members.
It's not that I don't like these people; I do. It's that I think it elicits some "Facebook"-like banter or comments that are gratuitous.

I don't do any social media and think that its merits are overshadowed by too much negativity.

Meetanostomate is in no way negative. I just think the gallery of "popularity" detracts from what is an excellent website that deals with a serious issue that causes a myriad of emotions.

Morning glory
May 17, 2019 12:15 pm

Great suggestions. I hope I don't have to use any. I think this was particularly interesting with using sugar.

Puppyluv56
May 17, 2019 1:17 pm

Great advice, Angel! Hope you don't have to deal with that a fourth time!

Pup

Past Member
May 17, 2019 1:24 pm

We only talk sense on here, don't we, Puppy...lol

 

Avoiding Ostomy Bag Leaking | Managing Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden

Play
Puppyluv56
May 19, 2019 7:44 pm

Hahaha Mike... of course we do... wink wink!!

iMacG5
May 19, 2019 8:34 pm

Thanks for the advice, Angel.  Thanks for all you share.

Sincerely,

Mike

newyorktorque
May 20, 2019 12:00 am

Angelica, I always look towards you for inspiration and positive thoughts, so my heart sunk when I heard of your swollen stoma. I wish I could sit in a warm bath without a bag on, but with my high liquid output, I would be sitting in a bath of ostomy juice. And the sugar... that didn't hurt you? I hope you are on the mend now and feeling better.

Angelicamarie
May 20, 2019 5:08 am

Hello all... Thanks for your comments!

Take care,

Angelicamarie

xnine
May 20, 2019 9:01 am

Mine goes from a large prune to a mushroom. Thanks for the info. Hope I never need to use it. I will have to copy and paste it somewhere so I can find it if needed.

Angelicamarie
May 20, 2019 10:02 am

X... Thanks for sharing...

Take care,

Angelicamarie