Sore skin around stoma

Hi Phil

I’m not really very good with whole “lucky to be alive and grateful” stuff as time has gone on. It’s much more complicated than that for me. I’ve found therapy hugely helpful in so many ways but I probably should go back on medication to help make things even better and I’m not sure why I resist that-stubborn I suppose! I don’t discount it in the future though.

Yes, for some of us the stoma, or stomas in my case, were life saving, but it doesn’t mean that something life changing isn’t a huge factor for us and not always recognised-especially when others say, “oh well, you’re fine now”. It’s very far from fine for me, but it’s hard to say that to anyone who hasn’t been through this and can understand. You’ve certainly been through it with sepsis added to the mix-that’s scary stuff for anyone to deal with.

It’s good to see you posting in the group and I hope you’ll feel able to get more involved with us-I’m sure your experiences can be an asset to the group.

Sarah xx

Hi Phil,

nice to hear from you! Thank you so much for your reply! I'm in so much pain with this darned sore, I know it's through getting the pouch off in a rush when I've had bad diarrhoea, every day for weeks! I've tried Calamine Lotion and Sudocrem but either I'm not letting it dry properly or it's just not working! If you could let me know where you got the Derma S I'd be very grateful! I think I've seen it on Amazon, but I'm not sure.

You'd think I'd know all the answers after 4 years, but I'm still learning!

Moira x

I was exactly the same, stubborn on the anti depressant route. But in hindsight now, I should’ve done it earlier. It stops my headaches and anxiety over taking so much. I hope you have a great Saturday evening Sarah. 

Phil x

Hi Moira, I asked my GP for some but it is available on Amazon and other medical sites online. Type derma s in search engine and a lot will come up. I hope this helps. I was exactly the same, rushing and washing and not drying properly. It came to a point I had to leave it off for an hour and put some wipes under the stoma (incase of an accident)  to let it breathe. I hope everything gets better for you Moira. 

Phil x

I came off mine in the aftermath of my surgery.. and maybe that wasn’t the wisest decision. Thought I was doing better than I probably was. I’ve been diagnosed with ptsd but I do have a huge level of anxiety in my life, and I found my medication really helped that, so I guess I miss it! 

Sarah xx

Thanks Phil, 

I'm doing exactly the same, leaving my pouch off for an hour or more, but so far no good! I think the Calamine would have worked but it's bleeding a little and that's stopping it's drying! I've sent for some from Amazon, I didn't want to wait until I got to see a doctor! Fingers crossed this works!

Thank you for all your help Phil, hope you keep well,

Moira x

Hi  Moira .hope you are getting somewhere with the sore skin.nothing worse is there.

Do you use the spray or the wipes to remove your bag.I found the wipes just dont work for me and I end up pulling on the skin whereas the spray works beautifully

Kath

Hi Kath,

I've just started using the Dema S that Phil recommended, so fingers crossed! I tried the Calamine but I think the wound was too wet, at the time. 

I use the spray, the problem has been when having heavy diarrhoea, the pouch was so full that I had to get it off quickly! I ended up just using a tiny bit of spray before it came away, taking skin with it! Diahorrea is still happening but not as heavy, so I'm not rushing quite as much! Roll on 5th March when I see my consultant!

Moira x

Hi Moira

Sorry to hear you’re still having problems

 I’m sending you a huge hug xxx

Thanks Ann,

I think, hopefully, the Derma S is working!

Hope you're keeping well,

Moira. x