Managing Colostomy Concerns: Preventing Unexpected Noises

Hi all



was wondering if you can help me, i have a colostomy now for 3 months and will have it for a further 3 months and then will have it reversed.  I have been off work for these first 3 months but will be returning next week and am absolutely terrified of my stoma 'popping' at the wrong moment like in a meeting etc - how does one prevent this from happening ??? No one knows at work about my stoma as dont feel confident enough to explain it all to them as they all my age and guys.  Food wise what should I avoid for gas or are there tablets etc that you can take to control it?  any tips or advice would be lovely.  PS have heard that peppermint tea is good?



Saffa

Saffa



I think you would get the best advice from the foks here that have colostomies, and I hope they answer this.



In general, the things that made you gassy prior to surgery will do the same.  Spicey foods, beans, eggs, cheese, cabbage, broccoli, onions, garlic, etc are known gas producers.  I don't know of any tablets that completely prevent gas.  Some folks have had some luck with Beano tabs or liquid on food; Gas x tabs might be of benefit.    Peppermint tea is supposed to calm the intestines but I have no idea how much you would need to drink, etc.



You may want to look back at the past 3 months and what foods set off gas, then not eat those possible hours and the night before your meetings.



Anyone have any suggestions for covering up the noise if some gas should slip???

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this is always a concern. if it were me i would talk to someone in charge at my work and see if i could be excluded from any meetings... at least till you get a better handle on how and when your body will react to certian foods and drinks. you dont have to be specific as to why.... just ask if you can be excused because of your recent surgery. the other option is tell everyone up front which would be less stressful but everyone will know you business. i had a simular situation at my work awhile back... i asked the service manager if i could be excused to get some things done while everyone was out of my way and also to watch the office for walkin customers, he agreed... no questions asked. if you have a meeting first thing in the morning.. better avoid breakfast till its over. i use irrigation now and it greatly reduced gas as most of the bowel is empty.... still the threat of an escape will not be eliminated..only reduced. hope this helps some

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Try putting your hand or arm over yout stoma when this starts and it should muffle or mask the sound.  Works for me and some others I have heard of.  I am a 4 year colostomate. let me know how it goes.

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funnygurl

Hi all



Thanks so much for all your advise,  I have been reading up online and stoma nurse also told me that drinking peppermint tea helps so have been drinking about 3 cups a day and do find that it has helped also noticed if I dont eat too much im ok the next day.  It was my first day back at work today and only managed half day as was getting tired and stoma didnt make one noise, but hope she behaves because our office is so quiet and its all open but if I feel anything coming i will try muffle it!!! Thanks all also notice if I relax you cant hear anything but if I worry then it pops but it dosent happen too often during the day!



Thanks All.



Sx

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hi Saffa.  Congratulations on being able to go back to work.  I can understand being tierd.  It takes a while to get back in the swing of things.  Don't push yourself and make sure you get rest.  It is so important for the healing process.

As far as the gas noises, I limit what I eat prior to going anywhere.  Onions, milk, even triscuit crackers are a big no no for me.  When it gets to bad, I use Gas X.  It will help somewhat.  I'm glad to hear about the peppermint tea though.  I'm going to try that.  I was wondering if even peppermint lifesavers or something of the sort would work.  I hope you have found something by now and if so, let us know.  Best wishes to you!  Debi

if I want to slow my colostomy down and stop gas prior to work or perhaps bowling or some activity that involves a lot of bending I take 3-4 over the counter acetaminophen with codein now its a fine line here this amount works for me im not suggesting this for everyone  if you over do it your going to bind yourself up and start to cramp (been there not pleasant) its the Codiene thats works as the binding agent I have had my colostomy for 20 years and this all i have found that works other then not eating

I was reading your question......it happens to me alot. I always say "my stomach is rumbling, better get some food in me." I have never even had one person look at me funny.

Hi Saffa,



Right after surgery it may seem that you have a lot of gas almost all the time. Most abdominal surgery is followed by this uncomfortable, embarrassing symptom. As the tissue swelling goes down, you will have less gas.



Eating regularly will help prevent gas. Skipping meals to avoid gas or output is not smart. Some folks find it best to eat a smaller amount of food 4 to 5 times a day.



Odors are also a concern especially in enclosed places such as meetings and are usually linked to gas. loose stools or diarrhea also produces above average amounts of gas and odors.



Foods such as  eggs, cabbage, cheese, cucumber, onion, garlic, fish, dairy foods, beans, alcohol and coffee are prime candidates. If you find that certain foods bother you, avoid them.

Some medicines, for example, vitamins and antibiotics, cause more gas and excess odor although gas and odors are generally worse with transverse colostomies.

If the colon is emptied well, gas and odors are less likely. Irrigations may be helpful for some folks. Atho i'm not sure it is practicle so soon after an operation, and if you only have a few more months with your colostomy, perhaps it's not really worth considering the idea anyhow.



But at the end of the day every one produces gas and expells it at random moments, if you are in a meeting sitting at a table, even the table itself will muffle slightly where the gas has come from, and unless someone else around the table has an ostomy, i doubt anyone will think anything other than you have had a a random bout of flatulance.x

OK! It's called "Farting" But al least your farts don't stink! Well, they do, but they're in a bag. Thank God! They stink! I worked with a couple of guys who where always trying to out-fart each other. So, one day in the back of the crew-cab truck, I quietly burped my bag, well, that truck was pulled off the road and those guys out of it so fast gasping for air, and never another farting contest when I was in the truck!

Dude thats the funniest thing i heard all week!!!

I have 2 boys and they like to try to kill eachother with the "fart game" Well I can only take so much of this game. I quickly put a stop to it and WIN when I "burp" my bag. I ALWAYS WIN!! because we know how rancid the smell can be.

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In my experience, I have been an ostomate for seven years now (ileostomy), unless I'm totally relaxed in a situation my stoma makes absolutely no noise, doesn't mean it's not being active, just for some reason there is not a sound. Now if I eat nothing all day and all of a sudden eat a little bit, there is a competition between my stomach and my stoma between food grabbing and gas output..... I wouldn't worry about noises, they are easily passed off as stomach gurgles and the hand over the stoma does work to muffle out noise. Now emptying the pouch at work is a different story, I would try and use a single bathroom if at all possible because the stench is not forgiving to the other stall users LOL

you guys crack me up LOL - yeah i have been to work for 4 days now and it all seems to be going alright - my stoma ususally works in the morning and then dont change that bag until the next morning unless it fills up a little in the day, are you all on a regular routine too?  I find the morning to be ok then go out for lunch and stoma might get a bit active round 4-5 hope homer the stoma remains like this as no one is aware of stoma at work.  



Sx

Good to hear Saffa.x

hi its Kenny here. New on net. wanna make friends but dont know how? Plz reply

i use beano if you use it b4 you eat it will help with the gas i use the liquid not the pills the pills take longer to work and havent had that good out come with them as i do the liquid

Hiya weewee



what is Beano?  - see alot of people talking about it - is it just a US product or can you also get it in the UK?



Sx