Difficult, slow colostomy stoma.

Hi debra I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble pooing.

I need to say this before you read any further "I am not a medical person and as such I can only comment of your problem and cannot give medical advice"

Has anyone suggested that you may have slow transit constipation?

Slow transit constipation means your colon isn’t moving waste fast enough. Doctors don’t know exactly why this happens, but it could be because your nerves aren’t signaling your colon muscles to move the way they should

This type of constipation is more common in young women. Doctors aren’t sure why. Laxatives and fiber may not work for this type, but behavioral training (biofeedback) may help.

Taking Laxido may not be helping and could be causing your poo to back up and not enter your stoma bag and causing pain and a bloated tummy.

I think you need to speak to your GP about this as you may need to be referred to a continence clinic.

You may have to look at your diet with emphasis being on the type of fibre you should be eating, perhaps our (Missing Forum) could help on this.

If it would help you could post a question on our Ask a Nurse page

I hope this may have been of some help but please remember that I am not medically trained and cannot diagnose problems or give medical advice.

Please keep in touch and let us know how are getting on.

Ian

Ian, thank you. It does sound like this.  I'll speak to the hospital about. I had a loop colostomy from 2007 at the major op an Apr with vram flap in aug. Until then my colostomy was brilliant, since 5th aug it's been awful. I now have an end colostomy. It's slow, works when it wants to. A real fight daily. After my hosp visit on Sunday it was panicking, now on antibiotics and started to chuck out.

I'll research your idea, and try to eat, I only managed 2 slices toast yesterday.

Your advice is welcome, thank you. Xx deb

Hi Debras,

I am so sorry to learn that you are having problems with your colostomy.

I have had my colostomy for just over 3 years and until a recent bowel obstruction, it was like a volcano. Since the bowel obstruction, it only works if I take 2 or 3 Laxido a day and drink 3 to 4 liters of water. It has slowed down due to scar tissue from radiotherapy and several major operations. I am also on a low residue diet, which is eating white bread and pasta, eggs, cheese and more importantly chocolate.

If I was you, I would have a chat with my GP or stoma nurse and see what they suggest. Sorry I can't be any help.

I hope you get this sorted.

With kindness,

Hi,

I am looking for some advice.

I have had my stoma for nearly 4 years. When  I first had it, it went most of the time. I had a bowel obstruction last year and thighs have been okay since.

For the last few days my output is very slow. I have rang the stoma nurse a couple of times and she told me because I am not in pain there isn't anything else I can do or she could advise and told me to contact my GP! Charming! When I spoke to my GP when I first had the colostomy, he told me that he last did stomas in University and I would know more about them than him!

My point is, can I do anything else? I have a lot of scar tissue which has kinked, I am on a low residue diet and on Laxido because of it.

Take care,