still feel down

I drove myself home on May 14. The hospital arranged a once-a-week home care check on me, and the ARNP had a lot of supplies sent by UPS. I'm very grateful for all the help, the meds, diapers, and ostomy supplies. I still feel like I'm going crazy with this fistula and I'm going to beg them at the surgery follow-up in two weeks to close this hole that's leaking. I went to the ER up here in Lake City once and got Cipro, which I'm still on. I couldn't take the Bactrim they prescribed and got very sick... I don't want my meds to run out, for nausea and pain, and I don't know if the doctors will give me any more meds. I still feel tired and hang over the shopping cart when I go to Wal-Mart. I rest a lot.

Aww, I am sorry to hear of your situation. I am a big believer in giving my troubles to God. I do have a wonderful supportive husband who helps me in every way possible, but talking to God refreshes my spirit, which I know does both my mind and body good. I do not know much about your medications, but could they have side effects that are contributing to your feeling down? Maybe it would be a good idea to find a support group to go and talk things out with others to see if they may have ways to help you until the doctors get a handle on it. I hear the United Ostomy Conference is in Florida this August. Maybe it would benefit you if you could go. Here is a link with information in case you're interested: http://www.ostomy.org/conferences_events.shtml I pray things get sorted out for you soon. In the meantime, try to celebrate the small successes you have in your daily life. Keep on expressing your feelings here, and if you can, stop by the chatroom; sometimes it can be a good way of taking your mind off things for a bit.

If you take to much of that Ciprofloxacin (cipro) it messes with your protein and can make you feel sickly.

Agrees with Jupiter. Cipro can make a person feel crappy. If you're having leak issues, make sure that when you apply the wafer, the sticky adhesive, make sure all skin surfaces are absolutely dry. If urine happens to leak when you're putting it on, the wet spot will not adhere and you will end up with a leak. Give yourself a break... It has not been a month yet. You need to chill, relax, recover, take your meds, and get well. My urostomy was 2.25.13, and I am just now starting to feel a little more like myself every day. Hang in there. I too lived in Lake City at one time. My sister still does half the year. Good luck. And give yourself time.

I too am a true believer in God. I had over 13 surgeries and multiple treatments, and kept my faith and fought every step of the way. It can be a little discouraging when the doctors don't know or choose not to care about treating the problem, rather treating the symptoms. But doing your own research and advocating for yourself helps. Look up medications, side effects, your diagnosis, get second opinions, get involved in your treatment, and ask as many questions as you can. It took me being a pin cushion and a lab rat to figure that out. I shouldn't be here, but God isn't through with me yet... I'm loving toni(illostomy) to the fullest. I got my life back. Remember, we have to go through to get through. We all have a purpose on this earth, and we all have a testimony to tell. This little bastard still likes to empty constantly and loves to try to keep me dehydrated, but we fight to the end. I drink Pedialyte like it's no tomorrow. I fight to stay off the opium drops because nothing can stop him; he can get fresh at times... But I'm living and haven't felt this good in years. Keep your head up, and I agree, waking up every morning is a blessing in itself. God bless you all and stay strong.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister