Urostomy Tips and Tricks - Seeking Advice for Managing Stoma Issues

Hello obstinate! People have been having colostomies and ileostomies for a while now, but as bladder cancer is more prevalent and bladders are being removed, we are catching up, but still far behind. Every Google search returns colostomy/ileostomy. Sure, there are many similarities, but a few differences.

For example, my stoma opening is pencil-lead size although the doctor put in 2 catheters with a lot of lube, and they blew out.

Here is my problem. I need 2 hands to prep and I'm well hydrated. I squirt for 8 to 20 seconds, not enough time to keep and stay dry! The renowned cancer center told me to put in a tampon. Ok. I bought tampons and there was NO WAY it was going in.

I've seen people stuff all kinds of towels and rags into their stoma and give 2 thumbs up to the camera!

Any UROSTOMY suggestions? I put in a Q-tip but the pressure blew it out.

I'm getting better with 1 hand, but prefer 2.

Thanks greatly, mates!!!!!!

Hello vegan2share.

I do not have a urostomy but I am interested in the problems people face with any type of stoma. 

Firstly, I would point out that past posts on this subject can be found in 'Collections'>Premium content>General knowledge>urostomy (which is 2nd from last on the list!).

Secondly, I can empathise with you having a problem which not too many others might be sharing and one which the medical profession have little or no idea of how to resolve satisfactorily.

Therefore, we might be in the realm of DIY and experimentation - which is a domain that I am very familiar with for all sorts of different reasons.

As I understand it from your post , one of the problems is urine spouting out whilst you are trying to change catheters/devices. I had a not too dissimilar problem when irrigating my stoma. The way I resolved the problem was to use an irrigation sleeve whilst attending to what needed to be done. After obtaining several samples, the best one that suited my needs was a 2 piece Coloplast irrigation press plate (12820) & Coloplast Assura irrigation sleeves (12836) The press plate also needs a small belt which came with the sample.

What the clear plastic irrigation sleeve does is provide a clear view of the stoma from all directions, at the same time as capturing the output and channelling it into the toilet (or, if I fold and clip it, it will act as a huge temporary bag). The top of the sleeve is open and wide enough to access the stoma area to work on even though there is constant output.
I use the 60mm version because that also gives me room around the stoma to work  without causing stress or damage to the delicate tissue. 
When finished what I need to do, it is easy to simply remove the sleeve with whatever I have replaced it with firmly in place.
It would be wrong of me to say that this is a no-mess solution, but it is a 'relatively' no-mess set-up in that it prevents the waste from going 'everywhere', as it contains it within the sleeve.
What I have found is that trying lots of different methods is useful to identify more precisely what works and what doesn't in different circumstances.

 I hope my short post  might prove helpful to you to resolve your particular problem.

Best wishes

Bill

Some people have tried 'Stoma Genie' with good success: https://stomagienics.com/product/stomagenie-5-pack/

The website has all the info plus a size chart - Amazon available. You can also make your own using the outer casing from a large hypodermic needle stuffed with cotton batting in one end. (Your local veterinarian will probably give you the large needle if your pharmacy doesn't have one.)

PS: In days gone by, we used these oversized needles to inject watermelons with vodka for company picnics - great fun!

I have had a urostomy for 61 years, and when I change my appliance, I just hold toilet paper against it. Also, depending on when you change your appliance, try not to drink beforehand. I want to try the stoma genie that is shown above too, but after all these years, I have a good routine. LOL. Good luck.