Colonoscopy through stoma.

Hello JBJ,

I have a colostomy and an ileostomy. The colostomy produces nothing because the ileostomy does all the work. I have had two colonoscopies, both via the colostomy stoma. Because of the ileostomy a laxative was not required. In your case did you restrict your food intake and have the unpleasant laxative to purge the colon? If so, this might account for the sluggish working of your digestive system, which has been disturbed by the 'scope. It might help if you drink plenty of water throughout the day and take a walk to try and get things moving. After a couple of minor incidents when I thought I had a blockage I found that lying face down and effectively squashing the ileostomy stoma did the trick. Presumably this temporarily altered the arrangement of the plumbing! Follow your instincts and if you remain concerned then perhaps directly contact the colorectal team at the hospital rather than your GP for specialist advice. Over the past couple of years I have found that doctors in general prefer the specialists and stoma nurses to deal with queries of this nature.

Dulac