Just had stoma done

Hi Angusbairn,Hugs to you,I’m so sorry you are having a miserable time.Hopefully someone with the right experience will be along soon to advise you.My stoma is urinary only but in the early days my stoma changed shape and this caused leaks.I had to measure it often to begin with so that the bags were a good fit.I’m sure once you are off the antibiotics the diarrhoea will improve.Some are worse than others for causing an upset stomach.This is a supportive group so I hope you find it helpful.I hope you feel better soon.Love and best wishes Jane 

Hi Jane, had the stoma nurse on the phone so I can take Imodium to try and stop the output being so fast and furious! I know practise will make perfect but that seems a long way off just now. Trying to be positive but am tired and emotional so much information to take in plus dealing with surgery. I hate antibiotics but they are a necessary evil. My third lot of washing in the machine just now , feel another snooze coming on. Thank you for replying , hugs to you x

The Imodium should help,fingers crossed.It is all a lot to take in and adapt to but it’s not long since your surgery.I’m sure you will get plenty of tips and support on here from people who have had the same type of surgery.Get a snooze in if you can,you must be so tired.Love Jane x

Hi Angusbairn

I remember that so well. I really feel for you.

Two weeks was really bad for me.

I phoned the stoma nurses and told them my skin was burned and sore my stoma was flat and I couldn’t get the bags to stick  they said that I’d have to wait I told them there was Blood   It was only a spot!

Okay I was a drama Queen but I couldn’t manage

They saw me. Cleaned the sore skin , put an Eakin slim on tightly around my stoma that stopped the output getting on my skin, then a convex bag with a belt for security.
I came out of there a new person.
My stoma formed and fitted into the pouch the convex shape promoted the output to go where it should and not over me. I had tips here on treating the sore skin.  

That changed my managing it completely, I actually started to get into a system and I was quick at the change over and no leaks.

WELL NEVER SAY NEVER 

Whoopi as she’s known is no bother. I eat drink and basically do more than I did when I had Cancer. 

I hope this gives you some encouragement. 
If there’s anything I can help you with shout out. 

I hope the antibiotics sort out the infection. The meds should counteract the diarrhoea 

I think my output was really watery and acidic because I was on heavy duty pain meds. The nurse said to eat one dry crackers at ten o’clock. I now don’t eat after six but if I’m loose out come the crackers. They seem to thicken the output. 

Aww thank you so much for your reply, it has really cheered me up and given me encouragement. I don’t have a follow up with the stoma nurses till the 28th but have phoned them a few times for advice. 
Funny you should say about crackers, I have been eating dry crackers even before this if my tummy was playing up. Five antibiotics to go at two a day, can’t wait till they are done. 
I have named my stoma Moaning Myrtle which was very apt at 5 am this morning!

Thank you xx

Ha ha. Harry Potter. That’s brilliant name

I was going to name mine Hermione however Whoopsadaisy was more apt at four in the morning when I had a Poonamie explosion Whoopi when shes good and whoopee cushion after beans. 

Not long and the antibiotics are done and you will have a better output to manage. 

If you’re concerned about your skin burning I would insist on them checking it for you 

Here I learned that Calomine is about the best  just a tiny amount and it must be completely dry  fresh airs good but if you’ve got a loose output that’s tricky  I couldn’t manage that early days  

I found it really hard to see where to put the pouch let along  manage a Whoopsadaisy moment

It sounds like you’re doing really well  

You need to rest  I used to potter about them have a power nap 

Take care 

Hi I also use convex bags,make sure my skin is super dry and pat on a small amount of the powder provided from my supplier( not too much or it stops the adhesive sticking)dont know if I am allowed to give the name of the powder on here but it starts with an O.no soreness.

I am sure that once you have finished the antibiotics things will improve no end

Kath

Ps.lots of different types of bags available.its a bit trial and error.Also the stoma itself takes a few weeks to settle to its finished shape and size so you have to keep adjusting the hole size till then.

Hi AngusBairn, 

Sorry to her you're going through this but  it will get easier. It's still early days so things may well be settling down still.  I saw that dry crackers were mentioned to thicken output, also, I have marshmallows at home incase I get loose output  these are my go to before I take loperimide for loose stools. Anything with gelatine will help too such as jelly babies. I have a colostomy and have very little problems. The antibiotics may well be affecting your output too. 

Take time to rest when you can, I hope you pick up soon x

I had my stoma done on my 78^th birthday this April gone.  So far no real problems, changing my bag between 1-1/2 to 2 days, just a wee bit tender around the adhesive area. I’ve had no problems in the shower, not tried the bath yet! The phantom bowl movement is a bit strange though and I have to wear a pad all the time for the slight amount of weeping. 

All’s well so far, back to fishing and walking the dog,  just have to be a bit carful with the lifting.       

Hi AccyJohm

Great to hear you’re  back fishing. I was very sore and my nurses introduced me to Eakin Slims. 
If it continues give them a phone call. They have lots of problem solving remedies.  There’s so many products that are game changers.  The Slims I use are good for me but we are all individual