Ostomy Topics

Hi all. It's been 6 months since my transverse loop colostomy after a cancer diagnosis. My question is, there is bruising on the skin all around the stoma. Is this normal? Also, does anyone else get exhausted after cleaning the stoma and changing the bag? But the bruising, does anyone else have this? The stoma itself is a healthy-looking bright red. I'd really appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

Hello everyone! So glad I found this forum!
How do you deal with the redness and itching from the adhesive stuff? My poor belly is so red and raw. We had tried using a spray and then stoma powder before changing the bag. I also switched from gauze tape to paper tape if areas need to be taped down. My boyfriend thinks that the powder and spray may have been causing the adhesion issues. But... r ...

When I had my ileostomy surgery many years ago, I opted to leave the bottom end of my colon behind (no puns intended!). I wanted to keep the option of having reversal surgery later. All these years later and I haven't done that and don't intend to. I'm now considering having the stump removed because it's a nuisance, still seems to present symptoms of ulcerative colitis, which caused the origi ...

Anyone who is having issues with constipation or thick output, try
Langers apple peach mango juice. Works like Chinese mustard without the burn. Be ready, it works fast!

How to get the smell out of ostomy support garments. They have already been washed umpteen times but still have a barnyard smell. I have asked this on other forums as well, trying to get all opinions.

Does anyone have any miracle ideas on passing mucus when your body doesn't eject it naturally and you can't use enemas, suppositories, or irrigation?
The reason for my ileostomy was damage to my bottom end, so my new problem is not being able to pass what's building up. I don't have colitis or anything like that, so I gather I might not produce mucus in large quantities (always been constipate ...

I've had the ostomy bag and had the reversal done when I was 65. I'm now 70, but I'm constantly having BM issues just from sitting and standing. I've had 2 colonoscopies within the past year, the first one for a regular colonoscopy, and the second one to check for radiation burns for being anemic from pre-surgery. Has anyone gone from the reversal back to having an ostomy bag?

Hello. Next Thursday, I am having my rectal stump surveillance endoscopy, which seems to happen every two years. I always get extremely nervous about this despite not experiencing any symptoms of my previous ulcerative colitis down there ever since getting the ileostomy back in 2014. The last test I had in 2022 confirmed nothing apart from disuse proctitis, but there were no sinister features. ...

Intrusion Confusion - What Is a Leak Anyway?
(Ileostomy here). After rereading some posts on this site regarding leaks, I am starting to feel the more I read about “leaks,” the less I understand the meaning of “a leak.” Could we all be confused or ill-informed as to what a leak actually means, or is it just me? My Virgo personality has a need to know an answer I can cling to - yes, I d ...

I'm looking for a good but inexpensive "ostomy shaver".
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. There are too many to choose from. What does everyone use?
Thanks

After 3 years, my ileostomy is being reversed and reconnected, and I'm having a colostomy moved to the other side of my abdomen. I'm curious about the difference between the two. Doctors tell me what to expect, but I'd love to hear from anyone here who's had a similar change and from people who have a colostomy and can tell me what to expect. I.e., changing a two-piece appliance, how often I'l ...

Hi group!!!
I'm a single woman. I have been pretty self-confident until "this" happened. I have a colostomy and a huge abdominal scar, and I am not adjusting to it. Surgery was in June 2023. I'm hoping it gets better as time passes, but I'm not feeling much better emotionally. I'm guessing these feelings are common with these surgeries. Yes, I try to be positive about it, but it's very hard. N ...

I have a support belt prescribed by the hospital after my colostomy three weeks ago. It is very stiff and uncomfortable, and if I sit down, it rides up. I have been wearing it during the day until it becomes too uncomfortable and itchy. Can anybody recommend a softer alternative, and how long is it normal to use a belt? I live in Spain, so it might be difficult to obtain an alternative.

Good morning to all. I have an issue I was wondering if anyone else has. It's not very often, but when it arrives, it's not fun.

I irrigate every other day. On occasion, I have consecutive irrigations with minimal output. I get what I would describe as soft constipation. After a couple of low output sessions, the pain and bloating start and continue to get worse until I have that huge output ...

Has anyone ever tried “Dave's Hot Chicken” with an ileostomy? I had my procedure done in September, and a new franchise opened near me around the time of September. I've never had it before and I don't have any Crohn's or anything like that; I had a bacterial infection. I'm wondering if I should try it before or after my reversal, which is probably going to come in the next few months. Or ...