Ostomy Topics

I've had my ileostomy since 2016 (UC). Aside from pretty much losing everything since, not all necessary due to my ostomy, I've only grown to hate my ostomy more over the years. I am well aware it saved my life, nonetheless, I still hate it. I work a retail job making far less then I was making years ago. I have to wear a hernia support belt almost all of the time except at home. Not even takin...

Hi everyone, I came across this beautiful little corner of the internet while searching tirelessly for a way to get colostomy supplies for my boyfriend, and had gotten so desperate that I was searching if it was possible to somehow make home made bags, and if so, how, and now here I am... My boyfriend has a colostomy after surviving a gunshot to the stomach about 6 months ago. At the time he w...

I am always thirsty and have a dry mout. Anyone else have the same?

I have been irrigating for 6 years now and I have to go on a course of chemo starting next week. My stoma nurse who has since retired told me that one cannot irrigate while on chemo! I would look forward to member's comment son this, thank you in advance.

Hi,when I was changing my pouch I noticed that my output was green why is that

Quick questionI have an ileostomy -1 year old…never went back for reversal. On several occasions I have the ole’ urge to purge but of course nothing happens. On occasion an ever so tiny fart will pop out as well.  It seems my colon wants its job back. Today it was very insistent so I tried a brief enema…it was very painful (still have a hemorrhoid that is as ancient as me) and provided no resul...

Hello all,  I am new to the ostamy life. My concern is how to dress going forward. I have always worn low rise pants and shorts. So I'm wondering if anyone has had issues with clothes after the surgery as far as going back to work and just being in public. Deanna 

I just swallowed a while small olive and I'm afraid that I'm going to get a blockage. I'm looking for any advice. 

A literal sphere the size of a very large blueberry Just pushed it's way out of my stoma.. it's cookie dough color and squishy at first but whatever makes ip the center is cery firm. I have no clue what I ate to make THAT pop out of my body. It's perfectly spherical, it's like my body wants to make boba now. Has anyone else see this at all with their stomas?? I'm super confused as well as in in...

Has anyone ever mixed rings like putting cohesive, ceraring &/or Brava ring together when making up your barrier? I'm about to do it just because I'm new, have mostly samples and in a good place to experiment. Jusr curious. Thanks!

Hi I am new to the ostomy world. Three weeks out. I'm currently using the Hollister bag but would love to try different options. So I'm looking to find out where I would get free samples of different types so that I know what I like more going forward.

I have a permanent colostomy and I have a few questions about certain foods that I used to love to eat. I absolutely love a Cobb salad with everything that goes in it but now I'm guessing that probably isn't a good idea for me to have over half of that stuff in there. Will salads always be not an option now or in time will it be OK. I am only three weeks out from my Ostomy

I'm trying a ConvaTec after using Coloplast since surgery. I like the wafer/flange a lot. Not so much liking the pouch outlet. I get poo on my fingers and can't seem to open the outlet well to clean it. The outlet is long and narrow compared to Coloplast. Any suggestions? has anyone ever used a ConvaTec flange with a Coloplast pouch?

Have an ileostomy.   First time experiencing stoppage of output from having a protein Boost drink .   Has anyone had the same experience?    I'm drinking hot decaffinated tea, cranberry juice and plenty of water with electrolytes to get thing moving again.   Any other suggestions ?

I have an Ileostomy so leaking is gonna happen at times from the stoma shrinking to its final size. I've completely changed my two part bag three times in the span of 4 days due to it leaking. It's not leaking outside the bag, only where the body sticker plate that is cut around my stoma to the perfect size. It's just next to and around the stoma inside the bag. When it was time to change it, m...