Ostomy Topics

I named mine Sylvester Stalloma; he's now my ring man fighting through this labyrinth called life.
For the most part, he's well-behaved apart from the odd battle cry he lets out at 2 a.m. some nights, startling me into action in the darkness. I think he does it just to remind me that he's still there fighting my corner.

I was given a removal of the anus and a colostomy due to cancer 2.5 years ago. My question is about the aftereffects of the surgery. Does anyone here still suffer mild to moderate pain on a daily basis and also a feeling that your insides "move" if you sit, stand, or lift your buttocks? At the time of surgery, I was told that apart from the bag, things would be normal in a few months. I am sti ...

Just curious, how many on this site have had an ileostomy due to their colonic inertia and pelvic floor dysfunction? On the flip side, how many had a total colectomy with an IRA due to colon inertia?
How long ago was your surgery? Any post-surgical complications? Are you still having to take any motility agents or laxatives? And would you do it all over again? Ty

Hello, my ostomy family,
I have colonic inertia. In September, I had a loop ileostomy and then an emergency surgery on October 12 for sepsis, renal failure, hernia, and intestines knotted beyond the ability to untangle without some cutting, along with a new ostomy site. The plan was to do the ileostomy and allow the intestines to calm down and stop being irritated, then do a reversal. Now I am ...

Hello, I just joined this group. You all seem like you have a great community!
I am 2 months into my ileostomy. Today I sat on the toilet and thought I was pooping! Four times today, I have had great pressure in my bum and have released a watery substance that's light brown. I have read it is mucus and that this is normal. I was just needing others' input on the normalcy of this. I had part o ...

Update they sent my urine to the hospital and its come back with luecocytes, nitrate, epithelial cells, red blood cells and white blood cells
This is my 5th kidney infection this year. The pain from them is absolutely horrific. I've been put on a really strong antibiotic for 10 days that I haven't been on before in the hope it helps. In 10 days, I have a blood test and an ultrasound to check ...

Those of you who recall Letterman's top ten list, I'm reviving/revising the late-night comedian's popular subject for those interested. Think of it as a checklist from seasoned members put together as a helpful bit of advice. There are no wrong answers.
ME!! go first with number 1.
1) Advice/suggestions/replies offered from various and seasoned members—what works for one or two folks may n ...

Hello everyone!!!!
As I previously mentioned, I needed another spinal surgery this week to prevent needing a urostomy.
Mind you, I had spine surgery #8 in July, ileostomy surgery in September, and needed another spinal surgery this week.
I am happy to report to everyone that I have come through surgery successfully. I have been able to avoid a urostomy. Unfortunately, I developed significant f ...

As you know, I have had an ileostomy for 15 years, with few problems. Because it was never entirely clear whether I have Crohn's, colitis, or a combination of the two, I chose to keep my ileostomy.
Over the past years, I've been monitoring my diet with a dietitian and exercising regularly. In recent years, this has become more difficult. I tire quickly and suffer from muscle pain and headaches ...

It has been a little over a month now since I had my hernia surgery. I am doing better every day. I can finally ride my exercise bike for 21 to 22 minutes at a time. I can walk for 30 minutes at a time. I get pain at the end of the day; mostly, that is when it hits me after being busy all day. I am going to be doing some volunteer work next month, so that will keep me busy too. The pain during ...

I've had my ileostomy for three years. It stopped working four months ago, had no real fluid output, and a half a cup of mushy food takes 7 to 12 hours to go through my ileostomy. I lost over 37 pounds, extremely malnourished and weak. The surgeon said he thinks it's because the fascia/muscle on one side of my stomach is too tight and stopping output or due to a hernia. Please, has anyone had ...

I have had a colostomy for 47 years. From the beginning, I chose to irrigate daily because I wanted some level of control of the new me. This means that I change my pouch daily. For all of those years, I used a one-piece Kayara seal drainable pouch. I loved it. And through all of those pouches, I had only three leaks. Well, now these pouches are no longer available, and I need to find a replac ...

Hopefully going home with my NJ next week to gain weight for my redoing of my stoma, and that will stop the pain after eating. Five weeks in the hospital is too much; now I need to be home where I can relax, and I think I will put weight on faster in my own house. I will keep you all updated. Thank you for your support and comments. xxxx

Hi everyone,
As some of you may know, I help my mom take care of her colostomy. She's had her colostomy for three years now.
I have a question regarding the stoma. Can a stoma ever be too red? I'm not sure if it's just my imagination, but the last couple of wafer changes, I thought one small area of the stoma looked a little more red than the rest of the stoma. Maybe a little irritated, not su ...

Aging with an ostomy is no different than aging without one, but that doesn’t make it any easier. You have to pay attention to your diet, but for slightly different reasons than before. Clothing choices, you discover quickly, take into account something other than “Does it make my butt look good?” Staying in shape takes on a whole new level of factor consideration. And travel…that ...