Swelling above stoma - hernia?

Hi Stevejhb

Noticed you haven't had any replies as yet, so giving your question a 'Bump'

G n' J

Stevejhb

Hi Steve

Are you still speaking to your stoma care nurse about this especially as part of your stoma is below skin level is it possibly causing you stoma problems your stoma care nurse may decide to refer you back to the surgeons for investigation. After 7/8 weeks any swelling should have reduced by now but a hernia can start to show very quickly normally parastomal hernias do not cause us much of a problem except to push the pouch forward off the skin and make it difficult to hide under clothing. Unless problems arise normally we are expected to live with it.

For your own piece of mind and the fact you have part of your stoma recessed do have it examined by your stoma care nurse.

If I can help with any future problems or questions you may have please don't hesitate to contact me at anytime.

Ian

CC

Thank you, much appreciated - Steve

Hi Ian

Thanks for your message much appreciated.

Yes I managed to get a meeting with one of my Stoma Nurses. It appears that I do have a small hernia. Not what I wanted to hear. I think we should all be made better aware of the chances of hernias. I did everything I could as a matter of common sense but there’s more I could have done I’m sure.

the sad thing is that I said to myself that if I was going to be left with a Stoma then I’d really train to get fit (including weights). I fear now that even with a sturdy belt I will no longer be able to do this with a hernia. Am I wrong?

Kind regards Steve.

Stevejhb

Hi Steve

I'm sorry that your stoma care nurse has confirmed the start of a small hernia which is not what we what wanted to hear but if you read the following post from LB61 I think you might find you are wrong (sorry)

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ileostomy_and_colostomy_discussions/f/ileostomy_and_colostomy_discussions-forum/200249/parastomal-hernia

PARASTOMAL HERNIA

I am having trouble link at present but if you cut and paste the first block text into your browser hopefully it will bring up the post..

It is accepted that as an aid to a healthy speedy recover exercise is essential.

Your stoma care nurse can make suggestions about support garments ranging from underwear, girdle or peel easy belts (known by many names) that can give you support for all the activities you want to undertake.

A company called SASH https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.sashstomabelts.com/&ved=2ahUKEwj1grux8K7pAhXDShUIHdOnB8YQFnoECAgQAA&usg=AOvVaw17LxbO0T_5Hn3l9y37e-Q-

Again if the link doesn't open up type cut and paste the text into your browser and hopefully it will open up.

The company was started by an ostomate and only make belts for hernia support and it might be worth a telephone call with them (I believe all the staff have hernias!)

Colostomy uk

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.colostomyuk.org/&ved=2ahUKEwi0i_Kh967pAhWJLsAKHdByCWwQFjAAegQIBhAD&usg=AOvVaw18d8l-knPJaxXWdGLl-2ce&cshid=1589307382420

Have a large library of helpful titles https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.colostomyuk.org/information/a-z-list/&ved=2ahUKEwi0i_Kh967pAhWJLsAKHdByCWwQjBAwAXoECAYQCw&usg=AOvVaw24WK5nFg13dn4kKFoQJBVU&cshid=1589307382420

and this one in particular Ostomates Sport and Fitness after stoma surgery

 http://www.colostomyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Active-Ostomates-Sport-and-Fitness-after-stoma-surgery-2019.pdf

I think will be particularly of interest to you.

I think its early days for you to be thinking that your days of being fit and enjoying life are over.

I apologise for the large sponges of green text but I do hope that you will be able to access the web pages and they prove to be useful to you.

Please do keep in touch parastominal hernias is a subject discussion that needs to run and run with as many members joining in with their experiences as possible.

Ian

CC

Hopefully by clicking on any of the green text above will open up new pages for you 

Hi Steve,

Sorry to hear that your nurse thinks  the swelling is a hernia.  It does seem that the quality of the explanations patients are given is highly variable.  I got warned quite a lot about it, sometimes a bit too much as it can be really worrying in the early days.

What I will say, and this is not to contradict your nurse in any way, is that I too have a raised section around the stoma and, on one side, this is quite hard to touch.  I was worried initially that it was a hernia but it appears not to be and only the effect of the surgery and of the weight I had to  make up afterwards.  Because of this it took a while to match the stoma (Charlie) to the right pouch to make things secure and comfortable - Oakmed Option soft convex suits perfectly - but getting the right equipment is such a matter of trial and error and that is added stress.

I worried, too, about the limitations I would have on my physical well-being.  This hasn't proved an issue so, please, be reassured.  I was a walker and had practised yoga for thirty years and suddenly I couldn't make it upstairs.  But the surgery is now nearly two years behind me - anniversary in July and, yes, I do celebrate because my stoma has saved my life.  I use support wear for any task that needs me to bend or lift like hoovering or working in the garden.  It isn't intrusive and does work.  I am cautious, never bend for too long, no squatting down and no heavy lifting but I am in the gym thanks to the Macmillan  Cancer Rehab group being tested in my area - light weights, circuits with resistance bands, bikes and treadmill.  I have swapped Tai Chi for the yoga - suggested by Colostomy UK as less dynamic (and do talk to them or their sister charity, The Ileostomy Association).  But I am feeling fit and well and enjoying being strong and active again.

In another thread I have passed on the name of a book I swear by.  It is 'The Bowel Cancer Toolkit' by Sarah Russell.  She is a professional in the field and has a stoma herself (runs marathons too but I'm not going there).  She covers everything you might need to know or want to ask and has a fully photographed set of progressive exercises for core strength that I can really recommend. 

Another long, long post but I hope it helps.  Try not to be despondent too much of the time, though I think it is part of the recovery process and you are only at the start of the journey.  Take things gently.  Be sensible rather than impatient.  And remember to breathe.  It works out with time.

Charlie and I wish you all the best.  Take care

Hi Ian and LB

Thank you very much for your reassurances as regards hernias and exercise, and also for your suggestions of supportive garments and where to get more info. All incredibly helpful and I must say I feel quite relieved on hearing it all. I have already ordered a 3-piece stoma/hernia support belt from Comfizz about a week ago, but I think I’ll order some lighter items for less strenuous everyday wear.

I’ll certainly add to this subject in the community as and when I have an update, keen to help others not develop a hernia (if indeed I have one, was very interested to read your comment LB, on also having similar symptoms to mine).

Right, off to order stuff and read up on next steps. :-)

Very best

Steve

Hi,I had my bladder removed over 7 mths ago and wasn’t really told much about the risk of a hernia.One of the stoma nurses gave me a belt to wear for heavier tasks and I use this when I’m gardening.I’m learning so much about living with a stoma since joining this board.Love Jane 

LB61

Thanks for taking the time to help me out by responding to Stevejhb I am sure that your determination will be of help to others now and in the future.

Appreciate your help in this.

Many thanks

Ian

Stoma group CC

Hello Ian,

It was no trouble.  I am not so far away from those early days that I can't recall how isolating it felt, even though I have a really good Stoma team and Colo-rectal team.

If I can say something useful, I'm happy to help.  Thanks for asking me

Take care and stay safe

Lyn