Will Sleeping on My Stomach Affect My Stoma Long-Term?

I hope someone can give me an answer to the following question, 'will sleeping on my stomach, which squashes my stoma, have any long term effects'?

I have always prefered to sleep on my back or sides, but lately I have been rolling onto my stomach and noticed a bit of discomfort around my stoma when I wake up.

It shouldn't harm your stoma, though a lot of folks won't sleep on their stomachs more out of concern for pressure on a possibly full pouch and the resulting consequences.  



Not sure why the discomfort.  Are you a restless sleeper or recent ostomate?  Wonder if the friction could cause irritation to surrounding skin, or, maybe still tender from surgery?

Thanks for your reply.  I have been an omate for 4yrs and have only started to roll onto my stomach in my sleep after taking a valarian because I have not been sleeping well.  I have stopped using valarian, as my sleep has improved, but am still finding myself on my stomach. Fortunately I have not yet had any accidents 'so far', better not push my luck. cheers Ceedee.

I have found that over time you train yourself not to sleep on your stoma. It is just like when we were children we learned not to roll out of bed. IOt is just too risky to sleep on the stoma especially if you have an ileostomy.

Hi, after the wound healed for me I was able to lay on my side again...thank goodness too as I was sick of laying on my back.Now at times, with a new appliance on, I actually lay on my side to help it seal, with a pillow between my knees that reaches the other top- side of the bag and holds it in place...And as Mercutio says, you learn with time to wake up when its needed.Good luck.Tarababy

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How to Manage Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

?:  Hi has anyone got some good tips about going through another surgery on the same stoma. I had a reversal last year, and was very unlucky. The bowel didnt join right and this caused poision in my system. I had a major surgery straight away, and ended up in intenive care for 6weeks. I was brought up on the ward for recovery after the 6weeks, but it was short lived. I was unlucky to stay there. I took a blood clot in the lung and heart chambers. Which lead to me given a heart attack drug.I had a further 6weeks in intnsive care, and took a stroke while there. This then lead me into a further 5months in a rehabilition centre. I have came on so well from then. But i need a further surgery to repair a fistula under my stoma, and the stoma is to be resighted. I am so frightend and would love to get some advice on maybe some one who has been through simular? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

This is how i got the name precious. I was named this in intensive care by the nurses.



Thanks Precious

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Precious, hi



Wow,  I think you should be renamed "Amazing"  after all that!



Good to hear you are doing well. Even if I knew all your history, I think my suggestions would be the same:



Get 2 or 3 opinions before undergoing ANY elective surgery (yes, even fistula repair is elective unless immediately life threatening)



I  suggest  colorectal surgeons, not a general surgeon.  Request an ostomy nurse to select a stoma site.



See your primary provider first and talk to him/her about your general health picture and the risks to you with surgery.  You would need a cardiac clearance and be really healthy before undergoing any procedure.



Some people live with fistulas if they are containable, not threatening other organs or losing too much fluid and electrolyte loss.  This would be for people who have a lot of surgical risk factors.

I would suggest asking the surgeons the pros and cons of doing the repair, and what if you chose to do nothing.



Just get all the info first and then take time to make an informed decision.   It sounds like you are a survivor which is in your favor..good for you!

I was wondering why you had the stoma initially?

hi precious wow u have had a bad run i also have had 4 reversals ( crohns) i also had a fistula and a hole in the duodenum spelt that wrong oh well

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duodenum was my belly button spilling everything out painful i had my first reversal a year later i got sick again they had the stoma in same position i ended up with a huge ulcer had stoma put back in 3 years later another stoma on left side was much better the the other 2 then had bottom removed may 08 still leaking from bottom 8months..But we are all scared. Go for it u never know i wont die not knowing i tried everthing availabe am coming to terms i am a lifer so am trying to be grateful good luck precious hope u have luck u never know if u dont try

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  MOOZA

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