Latest Forum Topics

I just read that we don’t have to stop when leaving the parking lot at the super market. Those signs are not enforceable by the local police. The real, enforceable signs have a tag on the back verifying they issued by to governing authority and violators will be ticketed, fined or punished in some other manner. So from now on, when we encounter a STOP sign and we’re exiting the Home Depot or the Acme lot we should pull over, get out of our vehicle, walk over to look at the back of that sign to see if there’s an official l...

  Looking for people with this procedure or contemplating it...   read here from someone highly recommending this procedure for ostomates in lieu of j pouch. And having the bag.. Can't recall the thread or person posting it. Mentioned a,surgeon in Florida who specializes in it...i dont understand the mechanics involved in this procedure but if its something to get rid of this bag, then I'm all for it. I'm sure its some kind of loop pouch made out of small intestine. I no longer have large intestine. Do have rectum intact. Bu...

I’m a victim of seasonal allergies and I usually get those nose blocks and discharges as so soon as the fall begins. I make sure I carry a bottle of cetirizine to prevent those symptoms. However, this time, I don’t want to use that allergy medicine. Instead, I’m looking for some natural products or home remedies that could help me. Cetirizine makes me a bit dizzy.

Hi,  I have had a stoma pouch now for 2 years and since then I have problems with lots of discharge from the rectum.  Doctors have tried various things to help and now think the only way to stop this is to perform a Proctocolectomy.  (Removal of colon and rectum.)  I have no muscle control therefore its embarrassing when I am out and cannot get to the toilet in time.  I am usually a very positive person and with all the operations I have had I just get on with life.  But this is now ruling my life.  My qu...

Hi guys, I had an emergency Colostomy about two years ago, and it has the ascending intestines on the left and the descending intestines on the right. Very small in size like a quarter, and pretty flush to my belly. So when the stool comes up, some ends up getting pushed down the descending track because of my snug waistband and shirt. I don't ever let my bag fill up, constantly removing it as it pops up, except in bed at night. I know how much goes down the wrong side because I use a qtip to carefully dig it out. Question is, I never feel...

I have had many perineal fistula/abscess surgeries for Crohns Disease resulting in significant amount of scar tissue deep inside my rectal area. Now I have constant pain when I have to sit for any period of time. Has anyone heard of a perineal pelvic nerve block procedure? I'm trying to find a doctor that will do it. Any advice or names would be greatly appreciated. I've been pretty miserable for awhile. Thanks, Jan

Hi,  Does anyone know if they make a paste that has an attachment to squeeze the paste deeper under the wafer??? Like a cake icing attachment? I find paste such a nighmare to use!   Thanks, Kathy

Does anyone on here use Gattex?   It's most typically used by folks with SBS to slow down the gut to improve absorption.  It does encourage the growth of abnormal cells and cancers.  Since I have inoperable prostate cancer it's not something I'd do lightly.  It might be worth the risk if it works well so I figured I'd ask here to see if anyone has any experience with it.   Dave

Anybody on here use Hegar dilators?   How often do you do it?   What lubricant do you use?   Dave

Hello all. I have been irrigating my colostomy for about a year and a half. I was wondering if anyone has experience with using saline solution or anything else for that matter. I feel like sometimes my irrigation effects my electrolyte balance. With the irrigation every other day and living in a humid climate (sweating) I feel that my electrolytes get out of whack. I live in the Philippines where Stoma irrigation is not really heard of. I am self taught on the practice, I just don't really have anyone to ask about it.  Thanks, Clin...

how do so many of you stay so thin? i was thin before my surgery and right after but now cannot lose a pound  help  if you can

So I'm going to start using Hegar dilators soon and thought I'd ask the community...   If you dilate do you use Hegars? How often do you dilate? What lubricants do you use?   Thanks,   Dave

This is a story about a country grandmother. She would go out on her porch daily, and thank God for another day. Her next door neighbor (Dave) didn't believe in God. He would shout over to her, "There's no such thing as God". One morning he heard her praying for God to provide her with groceries for the week. The following day, he snuck over and put groceries on her porch. When she came out, she said, "Thank you lord, you did it again!" Her neighbor, who had been watching for her reaction, began to laugh. He s...

I've got a permanent colostomy and have also been on medical leave for the last six months. For the last three months, through no effort of my own, i seem to get all of my output at once, in the morning at about 9 AM. Usually this comes in two "bursts" so I empty the bag twice. I'm fairly confident that if i just waited for everything to come out at once i would have a blowout. The reason that this is a concern for me is that 9AM is around the time of my morning commute once i re-start work this coming monday. I'm terrified about having a...

I would like to hear from those who are in a wheelchair and have colostomy/urostomy either or both... Especially if you spent years without one and went to one. How did you manage before, how do you manage now?