Anus and rectum were removed a year after my ileostomy surgery. My parents say it's the hardest decision they ever made for me but believe me, I have never ever regretted my surgery. It's so much...
I had my ileostomy surgery at age 10 (I'm 51 now). From the beginning, I was changing my own bag by myself and looking after all things ostomy - I was way too independent to let my parents help me. I...
Good luck to them if they figure on only changing the bag once a month - they'd probably hold the world record if they can make one last that long!...
A couple of the best names I've ever heard are: The Stoma Formerly Known as Anus and Oscar the Pouch!...
Harriet - it's the best name my 10 year old mind could come up with at the time :)...
Tom, I haven't blocked anything. Share away :)...
Having had an ileostomy for 40 years I beg to differ. I can definitely say that manufacturers are improving their products all the time. If you could see some of the products we used to use way back...
Hi Tracy, Do you or he have an ostomy? This forum is for those with ostomy surgery. There is a depression forum here on Healingwell if you want to post there?...
Ileostomy for 40 years and can count on one hand the times I've needed anti diarrhoea meds - only ever used them occasionally for tummy bugs....
From a different perspective: Having an ileostomy sucks because: I no longer have an excuse to spend time reading whilst on the loo. (That's all I can think of)....
Re: the pancaking. A lot of people report good results with putting a dab of vegetable oil in the bag up near the stoma. It seems to allow stool to slide down into the main portion of the bag....
I haven't seen a doctor in regards to my ileostomy in about 39 years - not since a year after my surgery. Have not had any major problems with it that required a doctor over the years at all....
First things first then. It sounds as though you could benefit from some more education on irrigating. With irrigating you should only be doing it once a day or once every other day. There should be...
JS44, in response to your post using me as an example I will say I have been involved in ostomy surgery forums and communities for well over 15 years. To be fair, the vast majority (I'd estimate 95%...
Try to be considerate. Everyone is different. You and hubby have to understand that not everyone is at your level - some people will be comfortable with seeing it, others won't. He shouldn't be...
I've had my ileostomy due to UC since I was 10 years old (I'll be 50 in just under a week). I was diagnosed at age 5 but my parents think I'd had it since birth. My ileo gave me my life back. I do...
Fact #4. UC is always connected with prolonged stress. I was diagnosed with UC at around age 5. At that time (45 years ago) they thought stress was a cause of, rather than just something that helped...
Twirpy, just curious What sort of infection is your surgeon worried about and why does he/she think you're at risk of getting one?...
I had an endoscopy and an ileoscopy on the same day. I had visions of the two scopes meeting up in the middle. To be honest, the ileoscopy was the easier of the two. With some good Happy Drugs, I...
Hi SToma-Pro. This thread is from 9 years ago (2007) so LP probably isn't around anymore to answer your question. I've had my ileostomy for 39 years now however I think you must have a colostomy? as...
I eat it at least once every couple of weeks or so without a problem. Right now, a month out, you're still healing and should be sticking to bland foods for now. Give it a few more weeks and then try...
Where's the 'Like' button? :)...
I love my life since I've had my ileostomy. Pre Ileo: I was running to the loo at least 15 times a day and hoping I made it on time, at the doctors at least every couple of weeks, in hospital several...
"When it comes to leaks, how do they manifest themselves? For instance, is a trickle down your thigh the first sign or the smell? Do they manifest as embarrassing wet spots on your clothes?" Usually,...
Apart from the occasional sore skin due to leaks (which are mostly my fault - ie I'm lazy and haven't changed when I know I should have), nothing much at all. There was one time a few years back when...
I had my Ileostomy at age 10 due to UC and I'm turning 50 later this year. I have never regretted my surgery. It gave me my life back!...
Hi Jpenley, this thread is almost 3 years old. It might be an idea to start your own thread and write your thoughts down there, that way more people will see it and answer to you rather than the...
I had my ileostomy due to UC 39 years ago and have had inflammatory arthritis for most of those years. I also have psoriasis which can produce psoriatic arthritis. However.... my mother (who doesn't...
I had ileostomy surgery 39 years ago. Today I have still have joint pains, arthritis and psoriasis (all auto-immune stuff). Do I regret having surgery even though I still have the extra intestinal...
"Sounds like you and I are in very similar situations. My fiancé claims to not mind, but I do and I think she does too" When someone you love and trust says this to you, believe them otherwise it's...
A capful of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide has worked well for me for years (no stronger than 3% - it can be found in the First Aid aisle of your local supermarket). At next empty there is no odour....
Hi Eric. Probably the best thing to do is get your stoma nurse to check it out. We're not able to diagnose over the internet and anything new that doesn't go away after a few days needs to be checked...
Iron tablets can also turn it black....
Just my bag and a wafer wrapped in a nappy disposal bag is all I need. Tiny package that fits into a small compartment of my handbag. I can use tissues or toilet paper to wipe up wherever I happen to...
I can't imagine an enema via your stoma would be very effective. The peristaltic waves (the way your stoma moves) is meant to push things out of your stoma not take things in - any liquid you put...
Perth, Western Australia :)...
Thirty seven years ago when I had my ileo surgery everyone was sure a cure was 'just a few years away'. Needless to say, we're still waiting for that cure. If I'd have waited, where would I be now? I...
I had/have UC (depending on your point of view) so my situation is different to yours. I'm happy to say I haven't needed to see a doctor (or stoma nurse) regarding it or my ileostomy for 37 years -...
http://ibdnewstoday.com/2015/07/15/study-finds-improved-survival-uc-patients-elective-colectomy-compared-medical-therapy/ "In a recent study published in the Annals for Internal Medicine, a team of...
Hi Sbea5025. It might be a good idea to start your own thread rather than tag on to a 3 year old topic. That way people don't get confused and can concentrate on your post instead :)...
I'm an ileostomate in Perth, never went on to have j pouch surgery though :)...
I was 5 when diagnosed and had my ileostomy surgery when I was 10 years old - 38 years ago. Never ever regretted it! It gave me my life back!...
No one else in my family has IBD - I was the lucky one :)...
I'm so glad I had surgery in the days that there were no dietary restrictions other than 'low residue the first couple of months after surgery'. It meant I wasn't afraid to try other foods after that...
I never wanted a stoma, that's for sure, but once I had it, I loved it. It gave me my life back. How can I not love something that does that for me? BTW, my ileostomy stoma turned 38 years old on Jan...
I was 10 years old when I had my surgery. My brothers were 8 and 7. From the start they were told what the surgery was about and all about my stoma and bags, etc. One of my mother's fondest memories...
Always towel dried for 30+ years (never bothered to use a hair dryer). Body heat removes any bits of left over moisture. My motto is 'why make things harder than they should be'!...
Maybe this PDF article will help? Stomas, Ostomies and Appliances: Implications for Aquatic Therapy http://svosg.org/documents/AquaticJournalsept2006.pdf In the end it puts forward a case as to why...
Happy 4th birthday... and may there be much more than 40 more :)...
Dizziness and chronic fatigue are both symptoms of dehydration. Are you drinking enough fluids?...