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Who do you go to for Ostomy issues?

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Posted 10/11/2013 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
I'm completely stumped! I had my surgery a year ago in another state and my surgeon has also retired. I tried calling the local Ostomy Clunic but they do not have any staff who is licensed to dianose and treat ostomy issues. My GI Nd PCP keep refering me back to my surgeon who no longer exists!
The ostomy nurse I spoke to told me my PCP should be able to diagnose and provide treatment and if can cant then he needs to learn how! I'm so confuse on where to go. The local surgeons dont want to have anything to do with me because I didnt have them do the survery! Gee! What is a person to do? I need a script for silver nitrate and someone to show me how to use it.
Posted 10/11/2013 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Um... what does the Ostomy Clinic do if they don't treat ostomy issues?

At this point I think you should cold call any local colorectal surgeon, CRSs work with stomas a lot and if you just need silver nitrate anyone should be able to handle it.
Posted 10/11/2013 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
"Um... what does the Ostomy Clinic do if they don't treat ostomy issues?"

um, no sshiitt !

and just curious = what are you using silver nitrate for ?

Posted 10/11/2013 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Silver nitrate is used to cauterize granulomas around a stoma.

And please watch the language. You know the rules.
Posted 10/11/2013 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Geez....I guess the title "Ostomy Clinic" is quite misleading in this situation! I agree with Pluot....just call any colorectal surgeon you can find in the area and explain your situation. Someone is bound to be willing to help you. You might need a surgeon instead of a WOCN for granuloma/silver nitrate anyway. When I asked my WOCN about possible granulomas, she said that was something my surgeon would need to look at and evaluate. Good luck!!
Posted 10/11/2013 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
I asked the Ostomy nurse what is the clinic for if they do not diagnose and treat ostomy issues and she says it to help with applying the appliance! She also said My PCP should be able to diagnose and treat such things as a granuloma.

My my PCP doesn't have a clue I'll be traveling out of the area for a surgeon. After my experiences with the local surgeons I wouldn't return there unless I retain a lawyer! ...yea...it was THAT BAD!
Posted 10/11/2013 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Umm really? Applying an appliance? You have got to be kidding me. My GI (who would have more of a clue than and PCP) sent me three hours away to ostomy people for an. Ostomy skin issue because THAT'S WHAT THEY TREAT.

I've even not taken off my pouch when my GI and PCP offered to look at the skin in other instances because they wouldn't be able to offer solutions. I had ostomy appointments already scheduled. So thatWOCN is crap.
Posted 10/12/2013 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
excuse me -

no crape !

what the hell does that mean ?

or is it heek ?

Posted 10/13/2013 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Peace - I would utilize the same language as soystud if I knew this wouldn't get censored.....

Ostomy clinic that doesn't treat ostomies????Sounds like a medical/medicare/medicaid money maker for some group of Dr.'s.

It's gonna be a "pain," no pun intended, but if you gotta drive 2-3-4-5 hours out of the way to get to "WOUND CLINIC" that treats ostomies, that's what you need to do. At the very least, you will know where to go if skin conditions crop up.

Keep us posted!
Posted 10/13/2013 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I drive 3.5 hours to get to my awesome ostomy nurses at my surgeon's office (Cleveland Clinic) so you wouldn't be the first to drive a long distance.

It would suck but be worth it for good care.
Posted 10/13/2013 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
I agree! This wouldn't be an issue if the local surgeon would get their head out of their @$$! (yes...pun intended). I'. also in need of further surgery and will be going someplace else to have it done, but if I have complications I may not be physically able to travel long distances. I don't trust these folks after the mind games and nasty way they handled my case.

I also contacted a lawyer who is wiling to write a complaint letter to them on my behalf. Apparently there are some state laws that require doctors to provide you with a "standard of care". I have definitely been treated wrongly being an "outside patient".
Posted 10/14/2013 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Um, can I ask where you live Peace and Harmony? Cause the treatment you're getting is really scary.

In order to work in an ostomy clinic, you would think the nurses would be certified, and the certification is WOCN, and that W is for wound care.... I can see the silver nitrate needing to come from a surgeon.

One time when I was at my pcp's, I needed a dressing change on my butt wound from surgery..... I didn't go there for that, but when it came time to do it, she had a nurse come in (not a WOCN).... point being that i don't think pcp's are expected to know the first thing about wound care.... totally backwards to have an ostomy clinic send you to a pcp....

Hope you can get the care you need soon.
Posted 10/14/2013 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bluegrass. I live in Fairfax VA area. Luckily Johns Hopkins is about 1.5 hours away and that's where I'm headed today.

I had regular home care nurses come in to change the dressing on my drain. I wouldn't think a dressing change would need a wound nurse....but then this is all new to me!
Posted 10/14/2013 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you're going to Johns Hopkins; hope it goes well today.

Sorry, I was tired when I posted... didn't mean dressing changes needed a wound nurse, just that my primary doctor wasn't even comfortable with doing that! (so wouldn't think to ask her to do something more complicated related to wound care....)
Posted 10/15/2013 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
I go to google for any ostomy issues, a quick search and I have all the info I need.

When I had a few granulomas a quick google search told me that I needed silver nitrate sticks to correct the problem. A quick trip to the local farm bureau store (or ebay) and I was good to go.

Of course the wound care clinic should be able to help you and contact your doc if anything requires a prescription or medical order. I would think so anyway. That being said I do not bother with doctors and such anymore so I could be totally wrong.

Post Edited (MeanDean) : 10/15/2013 8:32:53 AM (GMT-6)

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