Stoma pain

Hi Moira

Has your output slowed up? I sometimes get those spasm like pains and it usually heralds a big clear out! Than all will be fine. If you are a bit constipated have you tried anything to help? Something gentle like prunes or orange juice can be enough, or strong black coffee will get me going. I do massage round the area too, but can’t say I’ve felt any lumps-it just feels a bit soothing when I get those cramping pains, which can make me feel sick. 

Hopefully it will pass on its own without needing to see anyone, but I wouldn’t leave it too long if it doesn’t in case you have some sort of a little blockage. My trusted thing is always a hot water bottle over my tummy too.

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah,

Yes,  my output has slowed right down, that's why I thought constipation! I've passed a couple of quite hard  pieces but that's all! I haven't been able to eat but I've tried your suggestion of prunes, yuck, and I've taken a Fibogel too! I take a lot of codeine which I know can course constipation, plus being unable to walk far because of waiting for hip replacement, all making me think constipation! I'm also thinking blockage but praying it's not that! I get my hip operation on 23rd October and I'm praying nothing  interferes with that!  I'm sitting with a heat pad over tummy and now I'm going to try the black coffee! I ate about 6 peas the other day, surely it can't be that! Most of the time my stoma doesn't bother me, but oh boy, she's certainly making her presence felt today!

Thanks for you help Sarah, it's much appreciated,

Best Wishes,

Moira x

Codeine can be a real culprit in causing constipation-I hope the Fibogel helps you out. I’m glad you’ve got a date for your hip op now-that should help you hugely now you’ll have both of them sorted out. I’m just back from a week’s holiday and my hip pain was really bad while we were away-thank goodness for the scooter. I tried to exercise in the pool every day and it was bliss to be able just to stand up in the water. I’m like some old crone, shuffling and bent over normally! 

I found my colostomy more active than usual when we were away, but we did have chinese one night which I thought I might regret! I’m usually fine with everything, so I appreciate I’m lucky with that but I did take a lot of extra supplies just in case. 

Fingers crossed this is just a little blip along the way and you be fine in time for your op. 

Sarah xx

I wish I had a motor scooter, my son offered to buy me one but, being reliant on public transport maybe not worth it! The only places I seem to go these days are doctors and hospitals! I've got so many plans for next year, I'll need to win the lottery! I AM an old crone, 74, but I'm only 50ish in my brain! I can usually just eat what I like, within reason, but oh heck, I'll be more careful in future!

Here's to many more holidays for us both, thanks again Sarah,

Moira xx

Apart from the holiday, I haven’t been on my scooter at home since May-only been outside the house to the gp or hospital appointments. My partner has a herniated disc, so between the 2 of us life has been very difficult over the last few months and even a spinal injection hasn’t greatly helped. We both needed mobility scooters on holiday this time! 

Still, hope springs eternal that a further injection this month might help more-apparently sometimes 3 are needed before things finally improve. 

Let’s just both keep looking forward to better times-and keep up with the lottery!

Sarah xx

Hello Three,

It happened to me the other day: first time for a long time. Not exactly pain but an ache around the stoma that was quite uncomfortable, causing me to belch a lot and feel like being sick. From the beginning, several years ago, my stoma nurse advised drinking a can of 'full fat' cola to clear the way. Being diabetic she said that the sugar free version should also work, but not as well. Anyway, I drank a couple of glasses of soda water followed by a can of tonic water then a mug of hot tea. Lots of rumbling and gurgling noises and Hey Presto, success and the ability to get some sleep at 2 a.m.! Like you, I hadn't eaten anything unusual but I have avoided peas for quite some time because they are easy to swallow without chewing and seem to come out much the same as they go in, like sweetcorn and beansprouts. Hopefully you will find an equally simple remedy to the problem.

Good Luck with the op.

Dulac

Hi Dulac,

Thanks for your advice, I'll try it next time! I finally got some action, too much though! I'm afraid I was a bit desperate and stupid really, I had prunes, extra fresh orange and Fibogel on the first day, then the same, but also bran flakes on the second, plus some spicy clear soup and black coffee! You can imagine what happened! To put it politely, I'm definitely unblocked! So much so I was left with a very slightly blood flecked discharge from the rectum and a pain across top of stoma when I coughed! Clearing now, thank goodness, but that's me, I don't do things by half! I'll never know if it was constipation or a blockage caused by peas but I will make sure to have a can of coke in the house in future!

Thank you so much,

Moira xx

Crikey! Light the blue touchpaper and stand well back!

I know, I'm a complete idiot!

Do any of you take imodium to slow down stoma output?

I read that it can cause some side effects, which I am not happy about. I was told to try this medication due to the fact that I am having to get up between 1-3 times at night/early morning - lack of sleep is not good for your health!