Hi all,
I have had my ileostomy for more than 50+ years, back from when I was a kid of 15.
Back then, just getting the bag to stick on for a few hours was a challenge...
Over the years, supplies got better, and as long as I kept a mattress pad on my bed for the occasional leak, I didn't worry about much.
Getting up 3 times a night was a vast improvement over the 40-50 times a day with ulcerative colitis... I'd say that once or twice a night was the norm, all through my 20s and 30s as long as I ate sensibly and early enough without late-night snacking.
What's changed for me over the last 5-10 years is my "normal digestion" has increased gas production.... Sometimes, I wake up to a full pouch....of air...
I live and sleep alone, so sometimes, I just "open the pouch and let the air out and go back to sleep.
Caution... make sure you fasten the pouch closed.... I've done it in my sleep and woke up to a mess.
Over the last few years, I've developed some anxieties that have kept me from getting a "good night's sleep," so now, before bed, I listen to "mindful meditations" to quiet my brain.....stop the worrying and anxiety over things I can do nothing about. I also give myself nightly foot massages since (if you believe in reflexology) all organs/systems end in the feet. I do use some medicinal "help." Lorazepam at night puts an end to my night terrors and crazy dreams (Loved the one of your stoma falling off!!!) I also take melatonin......which has helped me stay asleep. Between all three and a lot of rational thought, I've managed to enjoy the amount of sleep I get.....even if I have to get up during the night. I love crawling back into my nice warm bed.....close my eyes and listen to the quiet.....and be grateful that I'm not in pain... Sometimes, I listen to a meditation again or put on music or one of my audiobooks. "For me, being grateful" that things are as good as they are......is a challenge.... but I know I'll never forget those years of pain and disease when life wasn't so good or so easy.... Best regards... Marsha