My stoma hurts!
Output is good, no screaming runs, skin around the stoma looks good, got prescribed a steroid cream. Had a colostomy. Dr. wants me to put the steroid cream on the stoma
2 x a day. I use a 1-piece pouch. What in the round world could be making it hurt? Walking my 60 lb puppy? He does pull. This started last week.
Haven't eaten any spicy food. I don't drink the tap water here, but I have been using the tap water to rinse the bag. Dr. didn't know either. Why is my stoma hurting???
That is a bit of a head-scratcher. The stoma itself doesn't have any nerve endings, so the pain is coming from somewhere else. Is it possible you are cutting your wafer too small and 'strangling' your stoma? Does your stoma look healthy? I'm not sure that putting steroid cream directly on a stoma is a good idea, and I'd think about getting a second opinion. Do you have an ostomy nurse? They are very often more experienced than the doctors.
Terry
Why Join MeetAnOstoMate?
First off, this is a pretty cool site with 38,037 members who truly understand you.
When it comes to ostomy, members share DIY hacks to save money, product comparisons, practical advice on insurance and medical coverage advice, information on new products to make life easier, and much more.
But, it's not all about ostomy. We talk about everything.
Many come here for advice or to give advice, others have found good friends, and some have even found love. Most importantly, people here are honest and genuinely care.
🛑 Privacy is very important - we have many features that are only visible to members.
Create an account and you will be amazed by the warmth of this community.
38,037 members
I haven't a clue. Contact your stoma nurse. Is the doctor that said to put steroid cream your surgeon? I wouldn't put it on your stoma. Get another opinion.
You are a stoma angel!!!
I went to my stash, got out a bag with no convex to it and a huge hole. No pain. Ta da!
Back to happy happy!!!
Thank you! 😀
FYI, no stoma nurses out here, the surgeon who did the surgery just left the hospital where my surgery was done.
When I tried a convex wafer/bag, I literally had a bruise around my stoma and it would get really sore. Went back to a flat wafer/bag, never an issue since.
The convex ring did that to me. Scared me to death. I wonder why the rep I spoke with didn't know to tell me to change to a flat one?
Â
99.9% of most reps, doctors, and nurses that deal with anything ostomy do not actually have one. So little tips, tricks, and info like that don't even cross their mind. I've learned a lot more about stomas from YouTube videos from people that have them and on here than from any medical professional. Sure, I learned the basics from them, but all the little stuff that makes having one easier came from nobody that is in the ostomy business.
Oh, I am so glad this worked out for you! Yes, convex flanges aren't for everyone.
Terry
I had troubles when I used to cut the wafer hole close to stoma size. Stinging, irritated peristomal skin, and just plain uncomfortable.
Then I discovered... moldable barrier rings. Now I cut a large hole in the wafer. Then mold a ring around my stoma. Easy peasy.
No more stinging or irritation. And no leaks.
I prefer Coloplast Brava rings. They stretch without tearing.
Yes, you can use the barrier rings with any kind of flange. It allows you to cut the hole bigger without risking skin irritation from your output to your peristomal skin. The barrier creates a seal around the base of your stoma. I use the Salts brand and they are my favorite, thinner than most others. It creates such a good seal that it gives me extra days between changes.
Terry
I have times that my stoma hurts! I am still a newbie, only 3 months in, so not sure I have a suggestion, just that I can relate! Changed the bag today and she was looking really red and inflamed!
I had to switch from convex to a flat bag. No more pain, and my stoma looks good. Leaks though, lol, always something going on.
