Ostomy Topics

I had a ileostomy 4 weeks ago. I'm using a convex wafer and I'm experiencing pain at the top and bottom of it. It pushes in and hurts. Can anyone give me some ideas how to stop this or explain why it is happening?

I am getting a CT scan with oral contrast. Then I am to make a follow-up appointment with the surgeon. She said usually with these they just monitor them so long as I don't have pain or pouching issues. What is oral contrast like? I haven't ever had that before. Does it taste nasty? Is there a lot of it to take? How long before the CT do you have to take the oral contrast? I am a little afraid ...

Hi, I had surgery 5 weeks ago and am trying to come to terms with my stoma. My output is high, which I'm trying to resolve with the doctors. I had open surgery and a number of complications and ended up in intensive care for 3 weeks.
My weight is dropping since I'm not retaining nutrients, and again we are trying to resolve that.
I was due to relocate to Spain with my family for work, the day ...

I have had an eating disorder for as long as I can remember. I am 57 years old now. I had surgery about 4 and a half weeks ago. I thought my disorder would just go away. I was wrong. It scared me. I was so scared I messed up my stoma. I woke up and it was fine; I just had to empty it. I set my alarm for the middle of the night and about 4 times in the morning. Does anybody have the same problems?

I have had an ileostomy and have a stoma. I am still experiencing mucus discharge from my rectum on a regular basis. I had the operation a year ago, is this common?

Hi all. I am getting my first colonoscopy on Friday with my colostomy. I am doing the 2-day Sutab preparation. How horrible is this going to be? My normal output can be already be liquidy. Am I going to turn into a raisin with all this liquid being sucked out of me? I'm dreading this. Any encouragement maybe even funny stories would be very helpful at this point. You think I wouldn't mind it g ...

Can stoma powder irritate the skin? I changed my bag today, and right around the stoma, the skin was red. No signs of a leak; I didn't see any stool spread across the flange. Before I put on a new flange, I sprinkle some stoma powder around my stoma and then dab it with a barrier wipe to get the crust. Then, I put the sticky ring around the stoma. Am I doing anything wrong? Should I stop using ...

I asked which stoma bag is good, and also posted an academic article about stoma bags.
Since then, I myself have tried several stoma bags from different bag makers. Then I realized each one has its own preferences, problems, etc. So, even if advice from others is really helpful to consider stoma bags, the final decision must be made by myself.
To be honest, I haven't made up my mind yet about ...

I have spent endless amounts of time trying to accurately measure my crazy loop ileostomy stoma’s shape realizing this one measurement is crucial to my comfort level. So crucial in fact that I swear it will directly result in a smile on my face and a happy day ahead !!!

The final successful DIY (thx Bill) tool measurement for me came in the form of clear plastic wrap with a piece of clea ...

Hey, I was just wondering if anyone has heard from saskatchewan steve. I know that he's friends with quite a few of us ostomates, just been thinking about him and hope that he's doing well. Please feel free to dm me with any updates. Thank you my fellow warriors

Some members note their stoma is highly active most times, but the worst time is at the change of appliance or a quick bag - 2-piece - replacement.

Such a difficult situation having an active stoma at change, gotta feel impossible.

I'm curious about your stoma activity at change or showering bagless:

Warrior's freak of Satin is well behaved at change and at bagless showers.

The stoma g ...

Hi, just a quick question. Since my ostomy (20 months ago) I have travelled from the UK to Germany and Spain but have only stayed in family houses. It looks as if I'll have the chance to go to Egypt in the new year. I know what to take etc but was wondering if anyone in the forum has been to Egypt recently? I'm worried about the disposal of my pouches. I use 2 a day. I'll be staying in hotels ...

Is it better to put the wafer/flange on diamond shape or regular square? I’ve seen on a lot of YouTube videos they say to put it on in the diamond shape.

Hello, first-time post. First time using this website. I am 33, I have a colostomy (since January 2024) due to rectal cancer. I have been experiencing horrible abdominal pain to the point that I would rather not eat. Just above my stoma is constantly hard; I can push on it and make myself produce sometimes. My stoma turns dark colors and sucks in towards my stomach. I know you're not supposed ...

If you think you have a contained leak....do you take everything off or do you wait?

I was fine all day. Usually by the end of each day I have a contained leak. I woke up with one. Now I feel burning and itching at the bottom of my stoma.

Lately I am going through 2 changes a day. I'd hate to take this off because of anxiety to find nothing. I'd also hate to have my skin looking worse than ...