Colostomy for 10 years

I have had a colostomy for 10 yrs, and I am only 45. I have it because I had (overly) excessive radiation, and as a result my colon was actually dying inside my body from the rectum up. I had my sigmoid colon removed, and because of the radiated tissue, the resection didn't work, so a fistula was formed, and to avert feces from further infecting my tissues, a colostomy was performed. The irradiated tissue will never heal, as radiation lives on for longer than an average human lifespan, and so the colostomy is permanent. Here are the things that those of you who are just beginning to deal with one should know: It is much more difficult, if not impossible, to regulate your bowels without a special diet which causes you to have a bowel movement after every meal and snack. This option, obviously, would regulate your day causing you to either not eat properly or be tied to someplace where you can be comfortable taking care of bowel business. If you decide to live less structured to your colostomy, then you must put up with embarassing moments like this - I was coming back from a snowmobiling trip, in the truck back to the hotel when my bowels decided to suddenly work. I was still wearing a one-piece snowsuit besides being in a moving vehicle with no immediate options. Because there was pressure on the bag from the clothing, and the amount, the bag broke at the seal. I was aghast.
Or the phone might finally ring while waiting for an important call and you cant even run to answer with your pants down because you are cleaning your bag.
I mention these irritations because until finding this chat, I have had no one to complain to. For 10 years. I still deal with a lot of pain everyday because the area below my colostomy is severely damaged from the radiation and slowly disintigrates every day. The pain gets worse. I don't know, it seems like I am such a prisoner of this thing, a lifer at that. <sigh>

Hi Cypress Willow

Since you have a colostomy, has your stoma nurse mentioned the possibility of you being able to irrigate? This would mean giving yourself a water enema via the stoma every 24 - 48 hours and that would return the stool all at once leaving you stool free the rest of the time. A lot of colostomates love this option because it means that many of them can go bag free, just wearing a small patch over their stoma rather than a bag. DO NOT try irrigating though without a stoma nurse guiding you through when you first start.

I've had an ileostomy for 30 years (I'm 40 years old) and ileostomates aren't able to irrigate so this isn't an option for me, but I know many colostomates who love the freedom that irrigation gives them.

Good luck.

Dear Cypress Willow:

I am responding to advice from another who advised using Lomotil to slow down your peristolisis movement. Lomotil is for people with normal colons who are having
a 24 hour grip and for use on a short-term basis. It is not advisable to use Lomotil on a regular basis. Do NOT MESS with your peristolisis normalcy. If it's used on a regular basis, your body's peristolisis will become sluggish and you will develop intestinal problems from it.
Just a warning.
And as advised from another. Dealing with what you have now is a lot better than what you dealt with before.
I've had an ileostomy for 10 years now and I live a normal and healthy, drug-free life. I had ulcerative colitis.
Shaz's advice is something I've heard about with people with colostomies. Irrigation. I agree. Go with that. I've heard also that people with colostomies can just wear a patch, depending on how much colon has been removed.
Kathleen