exercise / hygiene

So I've been trying my hardest to get back into a workout routine for myself, nothing heavy, just some cardio activity so that I don't feel like a slug anymore. I was super active before I got really sick and it's been so hard trying not to overdue it while in my recovery. So normally I just do simple exercise like biking or the elliptical, also I take a yoga class once a week. Anyway, my flange and everything has been itching a lot lately and I get little tiny rashes underneath it, nothing real crazy, but enough that I can feel it regularly and there's discomfort. I know when I am finished working out I am sweating like a pig (it feels great to sweat and work out like this again!!) but do I need to change my entire appliance after I work out every time? How often should I change my appliance... right now I am doing it every 3-4 days... and while we're on the topic what kind of exercise do you recommend? I am constantly worried about getting a hernia I do NOT want that at all... Any advice about exercise and flange hygiene would be helpful thanks

If you are itching under the flange it could also be that you may have some leakage under the base plate. I know mine itches a lot if some poop gets under the plate, the rashes also would be an indication it probably is a small leak happening, so when you next change have a look and see if some poop has seeped onto the base plate. Exercise is great but I would avoid anything too strenuous on your tummy especially if you are not long out of surgery, you will know what your body can handle, just take it easy to begin and work your way up. Take Care
Doreen

Happy that you are eager to exercise, doesn't it feel wonderful to get into a routine and get your body back to somewhat of normalcy? I started exercising at the gym 2 months after my wound closed. Up til then, I was walking 5 miles a day. I was really weak though, I was hospitalized 6 weeks from my colectomy (July 2010) and as you can imagine, I was not myself. At the gym, I was scared too. I did elliptical, treadmill and did weights in moderation. 3 months later (April 2011), I did yoga and finally started getting confident enough in ab exercises. I also incorporated cycling and have been entering cycling tours all summer and fall. When at the gym, I exercise 3/4 hours. I can do everything, I listen to my body and know when it's enough.

The appliance, even cycling 4 hours in 100 degree heat, it never itched, leaked, no rash and received 7 days wear. I wear Moldable Convetec Naturna. I've been very fortunate. I have never changed after exercise, just when it's the end of the duration. Maybe it's your appliance/appliance prep. Try another kind, get samples, sprinkle powder (will reduce your duration). Through trial and error you will find what works.

Wow...I think your doing great 2 months out!! I was in the hospital 38 days prior to going home, so my progress will be different from your. My wound closed (laporatomy) almost 2 months after discharge. My wound horrified me, it was worse for me to deal with than my ileostomy. But your doing great, you must be so proud of yourself! Try different appliances, maybe you can get more weartime, you shouldn't be leaking from sweating.

Hi Elizabeth,

I too had nothing but daily leaks in the beginning. I used the convatec moldable wafer with convexity...still do. I had an open incision and had dips on either side of my ileo due to these dips. I used the paste to fill in the dips, along with the paste around the opening of the wafer. The more weight I gained, the paste wasn't being as effective, going from 10 days down to 4. So, 4 months post discharge, I switched to Eakin, again I still use convexity, and use a ostomy belt. Back up to 7-10 days again....its been 11 months now. My stoma was just like yours, it didn't matter with the Eakin. It really does provide a good seal.
My changing includes: Clean, use the adhesive prep, wait a minute, I still use paste to fill in the gaps a dollup on either side, wait a minute with the hairdryer on me, then put on the Eakin, press down & work it around my stoma with the paper it stuck to (don't want to touch it), open the moldable wafer opening, put in on, press down for over a minute on the moldable part, attach the bag, and place hand over it for 10-15 min. I hope that your stoma nurse can provide you some tricks. I'm sure your thinking what kind of life is this, as was I, but with proper techniques, proper appliances (ask for samples of others, maybe you don't need convexity). Eakin also has slims, that might be better. Worth a try! Good luck!!