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I don't feel like worrying. Should I?

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Posted 11/1/2011 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm... so today I showered for the first time with my "naked" stoma (which was a little weird, but I guess I'll get used to it- lol), and then put on a new everything. I've been changing so often because the stoma nurse said it would be a good idea to do so the first few weeks so that I could check on how things look or whatever. Aaannyyywaaayyy, ever since then, my stoma and/or the area around it (I can't quite pinpoint which it is) has felt weird. It doesn't hurt, exactly, but it's sore, I guess. I could easily ignore it, and kind of have been most of the day because I just don't feel like worrying, but I am a little concerned as to what it is, if anything. I wonder if I cut the flange to small? I peeked in there a few times today, and it looked okay. Output is normal- maybe a little more, if anything. It's just an annoying pressure/squeezing feeling. I haven't eaten anything different, so I highly doubt it's a blockage. I eat mostly smooshy foods anyway, haha. I would just change the flange again to see if that was the problem, but I only have one change left until my order from Edgepark comes... which I have no idea when that will be (they called me yesterday to say I had been approved or whatever- hopefully that means I'll be getting my stuff soon! I use Hollister, btw... it's what they gave me in the hospital, and has suited me fine so far.) Sooooo... I guess I'm wondering, should I even bother worrying? rolleyes
Posted 11/2/2011 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
if it doesnt hurt and you have plenty output i wouldn't worry. sounds like your stoma is new, and at first there are some random aches and twinges and stuff that happen.
Posted 11/2/2011 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Ju330,

I cutt mine to small few times kinda felt pressure around it. If its new it will shrink as you lose weight I found this out hard way I kept cutting like they showed me in hospital stoma nurse finally told me. do you use powder around it this will help with skin irritation and lil paste on your waffer.

Dale
Posted 11/2/2011 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
I too had a lot of strange feelings around my stoma after surgery. Sometimes it itched a little and had some tiny random pains. Even with four days between changes my skin looked great so I know it wasn't from output getting on my skin. I think it was just sensations from the tissue healing.

Even now at a year post-op I get these little twinges of pain around my stoma for about 4 hours after changing my appliance and then it goes away. My stoma is super wiggly and the only thing that I can deduce is that my skin perhaps has to settle into the new wafer a bit and stretch out the Eakin Ring etc.
Posted 11/2/2011 10:02 AM (GMT 0)
I find if your too rough, it'll start to bleed. Since it's new, just go easy until it heals.

also, try using a convex pouch.
Posted 11/3/2011 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the input. It's still sore today, but I'm thinking it most probably is still just from the surgery. I switched from taking Percocate to Advil Monday, so that probably has something to do with me being more aware of the way everything feels. Nevertheless, I think I'm going to do my next change sooner rather than later, so that I can see how everything looks. My skin has looked good so far- I haven't had any problems with leaking. I got my stuff from Edgepark today, so I'm set supplies-wise.
Posted 11/3/2011 8:10 AM (GMT 0)
You'll get the weird pressure feelings for a while. Everything settled down for me after about 6 weeks. I rarely even notice it now. It sounds like you're going through everything I/most people go through as well. I know the stoma nurses say to change everyday, but I found the irritation went away if I changed every other day at first. (provided the bag fits properly - with no gaps for it to get on the skin. Good luck, sounds like you're doing fine. :-)
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