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The Sound of Silence

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Posted 5/12/2017 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I've been living with a stoma for a year. Most of my colon was removed during the surgery. I've Crohn's.

My main problem is the noise my stoma makes, especially in places like libraries. I have to go to a library and sit there for hours every day. You know, it is kind of embarrassing when it makes noise in that silent environment, and due to that I sometimes get a little paranoid too.


I've done some research, and some people suggest that mixing peppermint oil with water, and drinking it regularly helps.
Has anyone tried that?

I avoid foods that'd increase intestinal gas, to reduce the noise. But I don't know what else I can do.

Are there any other effective ways to reduce the noise my stoma makes?

Thanks in advance.
Posted 5/17/2017 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
no idea how to fix the noises, but if you hold your arm against the stomas, like rest your arm on your mid-section, that muffles it pretty well. Mine makes noises sometimes too, but it sounds just like a normal stomach grumble, etc. No one has ever said "Hey, what's that noise?", or looked at me weirdly. Think about it- if you hear a stomach noise, do you even look twice?
Posted 5/18/2017 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
I've actually been thinking about this question for a while and have paid particular attention since. I agree with Eva Lou... it's no different than the typical hungry/grumbly tummy sound. Now, I don't know if there is any difference between and ileostomy/colostomy; my experience is only with the ileostomy.

I have been with a friend in a very quiet setting. I asked her to specifically listen to see if she could hear it... It just happed that my stoma was particularly active and ready for a good test. She never could pick up on it. I get paranoid too, but I think you're all clear. Peppermint tea and that sort of thing is always a good idea.

Good luck!
Posted 5/20/2017 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Work often places me in conference room meetings and my colleagues are not aware that I have an ostomy.They do know that I had some vague stomach issues and the noises that I make I generally attribute to my active stomach, last night's dinner or whatever. After a few meetings, I no longer make excuses.
I often ride the elevator up many stories and those are the time when my stoma noise cause people some anxiety. I just try to use my sense of humor and act like someone else is having gas.
Posted 5/20/2017 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
LOL.....I sometimes have this problem too. To me it happens during a family gathering!!! My little two year old grandson says, "mommom made a toot"....talk about embarrassment! I found that eating small meals every two hours keeps it pretty well under control. It's when you go for a long period of time without eating and then eat a large meal, air pockets seem to build up in the intestine. So far, it has worked for me! Good luck!
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