Latest Forum Topics

Is anyone interested in starting an ostomy social group in the San Francisco Bay Area just to meet up and have fun and discuss our up and downs...

I see alot of people talking about a colostomy and irrigation and being able to go without a bag for a while.  I am somewhat confused between the two.  Is an ileostomy when you lose all or most of your colon and a colostomy  when you still have part of your colon working??  When you have an ileostomy, you can't go without a bag or wear a plug but do people have control when they have a colostomy???  What exactly is irrigation and can it be done with ileostomies??  I've done some reading but it isn't totally cl...

Like a lot of folks who've lost their large intestine my small intestine isn't yet slow enough to absorb enough water on its own. I'm currently infusing a liter of lactated ringers every day and I'm taking Diphenoxylate and Imodium to slow my gut down.  Occasionly I have issues with gas filling up my pouch.  I was able to reduce this a good bit by thoroughly chewing what I eat but there are some nights I set an alarm for every two hours just to make sure I don't overpressure my pouch. Anyone care to share their experiences, tim...

i started to swell recently on the stoma side and I called my provider that basically told me they had one type of belt. I was sent a hernia belt  which I’m not totally happy with it’s support, anyone know about the best hernia or hernia prevention belts out there & how to get them?

Hello everyone, I have had a urostomy for four years and would like to try a leg bag but know nothing about the good and bad with it.  I would be greatful for any feedback the group might have with their experience. Also who is the best supplier? Tks      

Hey Ostomates!                               I am an aspiring writer, and am happening to be working on a book on the fear, insecurity, and hope of being different, to be able to live. If any Ostomate is intrested in sharing their stories that would be great! Please include if you are male or female, age, and a false name.                                         &...

This is a story about a wealthy man who was known for being eccentric. He once hosted this big party, and in the backyard he had a huge swimming pool full of sharks and alligators. After assuming that most of his guest had arrived, He announced,"If anyone can swim across the pool un-harmed, I will give you anything you want. "Within a matter of seconds, there was a big splash. Dodging sharks, maneuving aroung the alligators, this man made it across with great swiftness and just slightly ahead of sudden death. Th...

I’ve only had this for 1 month, how can I make it easier to empty , sometimes it’s so thick!    

Hello ...Just a flying visit ..  Health & urostomy  all OK...  But  yes dear friends    I've  gone & changed my car again !!!     Swapped in my  Skoda Roomster   for a Ford Focus 1.6  (125) Duratec  Titanium Navigator  automatic  Estate Car ( Station  Wagon )    Nice car , a bit more  comfortable & grown up !!  Not quite as big as my old Jaguars  ...but a  heck  more economical on petrol  ..   &nbs...

HAS ANYONE TAKEN RX CREON WITH A COLOSTOMY? Creon has serious warnings if taking greater than 12000 mg with each meal & I have been prescribed 72000 mg per meal as my pancrease is collapsed with atrophy. Warning leaflet says can cause fibrosing colonopathy. Has anyone taken high dose long term Creon with a colostomy? Thank you. 

Hello, I lost my large intestines in 2012 due to RA my RA is so bad I've lost most of my organs.  It's now in my kidney my left lung,  my liver ect... my wrist are so bad I struggle to care for my ostomy because I can not shower alone, open anything, cook,drive,clean,do laundry I'm homebound.  Can you tell me who you see here? Who did your surgery? Do any of you have a Jpouch? If I can't find a surgeon to do a Jpouch I'm going to die because it hurts so bad just to empty my bag so I don't want to even drink and eat.

I thought I might try here to see if anyone was aware of the status of this company.  I put in an order for a few Ostomy covers to try out, but have not heard anything from them.  

Hello Everyone,   I know I have not been around very much for a very long time. Getting back in touch and enjoying all the posts. So much to catch up on! This truly is a great place to come to when you feel like your "The only one with one" reminds us all we are not alone! This July I celebrated my 50th birthday! I was 10 weeks old when I got my illeostomy! Thus it also became my 50th Stoma Anniversary! I decided now that I am 50 when no one 50 years ago thought I would survive the surgery let alone to go on for 50 years! I'v...

Hi all,               For about a week now my stool has been pretty much diarreha and was burning through my wafer, ring, and even the bag, I finally decided to get my stoma looked at. My doctor diagnosed me with a severe yeast infection around the stoma. To help the skin heal I have to                   1) Carefully remove the appliance                   2) Pour High PH water on a washcloth and gently pat around ...

Has anyone used this product and have any feedback on it, positive or negative?  If so, do you use a belt and if so, does it extend the wear time?   i am having problems with the Coloplast Mio products I sucessfully used for years and am looking for any alternatives.    Thank you