Stinging Stoma

Hi Lisa,

Could you speak to your stoma nurse about this? If I have any problems with my stoma I don't even think about going to my GP - I go straight to my stoma nurses! After almost 7 years of having my stoma, I am utterly convinced that my stoma will do what it wants, when it wants! I never know if I have a bug or not, but I can tell you when something's not quite right, so go with your instinct on this. But definitely contact your stoma nurse.

Hope things get better over the next few days.

Linda

Hi Linda

Thank you for your reply.

I phoned the stoma nurses this morning and the stoma nurse everything is fine and a colour doesn't need to have an output every day. I explained I am on a couple of strong painkillers and it was (when I first had it) like Mount Etna! She said it was fine and after all the treatments, operations and medication, my body is settling down and to take one or two laxatives if I feel like it.

I feel okay, I panic over everything. When I left of the morphine, that was causing the lightheadedness. 

She said there is nothing to worry about. I still feel nervous.

Have a lovely day and thank you for your kindness,

LisaCardiff

Hi Lisa

Pleased to hear that the stoma nurses were able to put your mind at rest, I'm certainly with , Linda in never going to GP or practice nurses with problems, your stoma nurses are definitely the must go people, I've got mine on speed dial!

To brighten up your day, I have an appointment at my GP surgery next Monday with the pharmacist who appears to be the person who overseas the issue of stoma items. What she doesn't know yet is that I'm taking with me a full pack of everything I use in my daily life to do with my stoma management and I intend to lay everything down in front of her and explain why I need each item. The pack also includes a dummy stoma, so she knows what we are talking about. I have even threatened my surgery that I am prepared to go in one day and conduct a training course for all staff and to make it visual by changing my pouch in front of everyone, so far my offer has not been taken up, I wonder why.

Back to your problem you are probably aware that Morphine can effect output as can most strong painkillers, it's a cruel life we lead, we look for something to relieve/solve one problem which then has a knock on effect by giving us additional problems.

Lisa you take care and keep smiling, mum and dad okay?

Ian

Hi Lisa,

Good to hear that you spoke to your stoma nurse and that you're more reassured now. I've been having problems with a parastomal hernia over the past year, and had to contact my stoma nurses - even just to hear them say everything was ok. Their reassurance is priceless for me. 

Over time as everything settles down, one day you'll look back and see how far you've come. We all have times when we're a wee bit more anxious, but we're all always here for you.

Take care,

Linda :-)

Hi Ian and Linda

Thank you both for your lovely replies and I am glad Ian is being naughty. Personally, I don't know why no one has taken up your offer? But it's still funny.

I went to A&E yesterday and made them do an xray just make sure everything was fine. I was told I am very constipated (it's one thing or another) and to take Laxido 3 times a day. However, when I take Laxido it gives me a headache and leg cramps. I looked at this and it said to contact my GP. I rang my practice and a doctor rang me back and told me to take Macrigol and see how I get on. I will take one at 6.00pm, after Neighbours.

I was wondering if that has the same effect could I use Fybogel? I can buy at our local pharmacy. I just need to get on top.of this constipation. Also can a stoma just stop working? I am not talking about a block but say the gut stops contracting ot whatever else makes it work? Please let me know.

Thank you for your help, kindness and support and I look forward to hearing from you.

With kindness,

Hi Lisa,

As strange as this might sound, I don't know if I've ever had constipation with my stoma. I seem to go through phases that I wonder where everything all comes from to moaning that I haven't had much output. Only last night my Dad says that whatever I do or don't get with my stoma, I'm always moaning about it!! And do you, he's right! When I get what I think is too much, I moan. And then, when everything is calm and nothing's happening... I start to worry that I might be blocked. There is no happy medium for me. 

I have sometimes wondered if I can use a laxative if I have a stoma. I know I can use the loperamide - that's been well tried and tested. But I've never had the courage to try a laxative but now I will, thanks to you! Unfortunately I now have a parastomal hernia and for the first time in my life, I'm no stranger to deflatine for trapped wind! 

I don't think a stoma can just stop working.... but if you ever find that you haven't had output for several days, contact either your stoma nurse or A&E - even if it's only reassurance that they give you, it will have been worth it.

One thing's for sure life is never straightforward with a stoma!! But a sense of humour goes a long way!

Linda

Hi Linda,

Thank you for getting back to me.

My mum says the same as your dad. I am concerned as it's gone from being like Mount Etna to being quite. Yes, I am constipated but that hasn't been a bother before. And the xray I had yesterday confirmed it was constipation. Before when I spoke to a stoma nurse, she says it's fine but mine is normally all singing and dancing. I can't get peace of mind.

I will phone the stoma nurses in the morning for another chat.

Have a lovely evening.

Kindness regards,

    LisaCardiff

CAUTION

According to NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence)

Laxatives should not be used in patients with an ileostomy where possible as they may cause rapid and severe loss of water and electrolytes.

Colostomy patients may suffer from constipation and whenever possible should be treated by increasing fluid intake or dietary fibre. Bulk-forming drugs can be tried. If they are insufficient, as small a dose as possible of a stimulant laxative such as senna can be used with caution.

My advice on laxatives is

Before taking ask either a community or a hospital stoma care nurse specialist for advice.

Stoma not working

It is not unusual with an ILEOSTOMY to stop working after surgery. Keeping fluid levels up should be maintained. If you experience nausea, cramping, feeling bloated try a warm drink (tea) gentle exercises but if are experiencing extreme abdominal pain and vomiting see medical advice

Colostomy  if the stoma appears to stop working and you don't have any other symptoms nausea, feeling bloated or cramps and doing gentle exercise, taking a warm drink (tea) or having a bath eating some high fibre food or a small amount of prune juice can be taken.

avoiding solid foods for the time being

drinking plenty of fluids

massaging your tummy and the area around your stoma

lying on your back, pulling your knees up to your chest and rolling from side to side for a few minutes  if you are able to.

taking a hot bath for 15 to 20 minutes to help relax the muscles in your tummy

 If you have extreme abdominal pain and you are vomiting then seek emergency medical attention to resolve the obstruction and to avoid perforation of the bowel.

Let's hope it doesn't come to the above, take it from one who knows a blockage is not pleasant and in my case involved further surgery and a new stoma being formed.

Ian

Hi Ian,

Thank you for your reply.

The thing is I saw a doctor in A&E yesterday and I had an xray and he told me I was constipated and then told me to take either Laxido or Macrogol 3 times a day.

I have been like this for 2 weeks and I am not in pain and I have had enough. 

I will try the stoma nurses to the morning but if I get the brush off, I am not going to bother. It's too hard.

Thank you again,

LisaCardiff

Hi Lisa

I just wanted to make sure you were getting medical advice but I do know that you will always speak to SCN or doctor.

Hope everything works its way out soon for you.

Being constipated is not nice as it brings other problems with it.

Unfortunately because of the drugs we need to take they can really turn our output on its head

I'm dreading getting constipated as I'm on 2 x 10 mg Morphine tablets, 2 x 200 mg Tramadol and 8 x 500 mg Paracetamol per day plus a cocktail of other drugs and I have the devil of a job explaining that I need medication in tablet form or in soluble form not capsules as they run straight through me, they don't understand I can see them coming out of my pouch.

You take care now.

Ian