How much output do you have with your colostomy?

My output frequency / consistency when I had my colostomy depended on what I really ate or drank for the most part. I always used a flat application due to the way my stoma was created. It protruded nicely and didn't require a convex application. Those are more for flat / sunken stomas to help push them out. I always used a two piece bag application. Are you keeping yourself well hydrated? That is a huge issue with ostomy's. That can cause severe fatigue, I've had to go back to the hospital a few times when I had mine due to it. As far as the bleeding skin, is it just around the edge of your stoma or is the majority of the skin under your wafer irritated? I had horrible issue with the edge of the skin directly around my stoma being raw and bleeding due to slight leaks. Using the crusting technique with the stoma powder and barrier spray / wipes will help with that. I also at one point got a script powder called Nystatin to help as well.

You must mean an ileostomy, not colostomy??? Anyway, I empty @6x a day, over a 24 hour period. Once before bed, 1-2x in the AM before I leave for work, then a couple times as needed thruout the day. The output ranges from liquidy to pretty solid, more liquidy in the AM (coffee), thicker during the day. I did have some pancaking, but not much- all I do is push the stuff down from the top of the bag, try to keep the top part clear. I do this anytime of day, whenever it seems like stuff is stuck at the top. RE. skin irritation- are you seeing a wound nurse?? I strongly advise it, they know all sorts of tricks that doctors don't. My skin is so-so- it gets itchy & irritated sometimes around the outer edge of the wafer, but not under the wafer. A barrier ring, like an Eakin seal, will probably help with the leakage. Seriously, your best bet is setting up an appt. with a WOCN at the hospital you had surgery at, & telling them EVERYTHING that's going on, you can work your way thru the issues. Good luck!!! It can be a bit much at first, but gets easier.

Sorry to hear you are having these problems! Here's my 2 cents...but I have a ileostomy so we are comparing apples and oranges.

With a colostomy you shouldn't have to empty as much as an ileostomate. But from what I understand Crohn's patients with colostomies empty more than a regular non-IBD patient would. So, I would say that emptying 2 or 3 times a day could be your normal (you are 6 weeks out and things settle down about that point).

As far as changing your appliance every 48 hours...that could be the majority of your problem. If you are having allergic reactions you may need to use a different brand of wafer (cymed uses a 'film' not pectin). Also, you could be having issues from the skin prep or powder...but I would think that the wafer is more of an issue at the moment. Convexity should help when you have your pancaking problem as well as drinking more water.

Do some research and request samples on your own...your medical supplier is usually happy to send something out to you...as well as the manufacturers themselves send samples.

And keep a food log. Don't eat a lot of something for the first time and record how your body processes it. You will find that you won't have issue with most 'real' foods...processed foods will act differently because of the preservatives and other chemicals in them. You should be able to eat most foods without a problem. I used to have a jelly bean addiction (full of pectin) and never had an issue!! As far as feeling 'clogged up' you can drink tea or juice...my personal favorite is Ginger Ale...it soothes my stomach as well as pushing things through.

And, my last bit of advice: Less is more when it comes to product. And just because your WOC Nurse has 20 years experience doesn't make her an 'expert'. I cannot tell you how many things I've taught my nurses over the years. They are only allowed the products the hospital has contracts for...and there are a lot more out there!

Good Luck! And, keep the questions coming.