I think it is so hard to find help. This venue has been part of the best support I have. When I go to therapists they seem to think my life DOES suck and they don't know how to help. Here you can...
Hey gang, I haven't been on for a long time. I have actually been reversed since 2009 but I am still struggling with complications from the surgeries. I have fistulas. It took almost 6 months for...
Talk to your doctor of course but my thought on it is that it is so watery when you have your ilostomy, that any thickening agent would be good. After surgery I was on a lot of pain meds and it...
Leslie, Thank you so much for taking the time to write me. I always feel alone and hardly get support anymore from this site even. I'm sorry to hear about your family and about your problems. I...
I agree! Don't do it without calling first! I spent $50 on prep and I started doing it when I called the doc to make sure and he said no... Always check because they always mix it up....
I put the lap part behind me but still have the shoulder strap normal... is that legal?...
I have been going through a lot lately. Very depressed; abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, hemorrhoids, little sleep at night, exhausted during the day... I was working full time but just...
I had my reversal a year ago and I just started working full time about two months ago... Oi! I am exhausted everyday. It is so hard for me to be like my other coworkers even though I am the youngest...
Hey all. It's been a while since I've been on here but things aren't great. I had a couple panic attacks over the last 6 months. I went to the behavioral health unit and they upped my prozac and told...
my arthritis still hangs around. That is all I really had out side the colon... Good luck!...
I was worried too but I had no problems. Its a good idea to have a vented bag/pouch. I also had to carry-on some liquid supplies but had no problem... Check out the airport's web site- Ostomies are...
I used to carry bleach wipes in a plastic bag with my supplies in case I came in contact with a nasty seat....
I HATE when it is messy after a shower! Arrrg! :)...
I had the same thing happen. They put a drain tube in my belly to drain the fluid around the abscess in hopes that it would take off the pressure and allow it to heal. It didn't so we did a...
If anyone is in the Atlanta, Georgia area and looking for a fun Friday night, my friends are throwing me a benefit show to help pay my medical bills!! There are 5 bands for $5. Handmade art and...
You can do it on-line now! SSA.gov. You can sign in and out as you need. It really helps. Have all your "dates of disability" and hospital stays handy. If you had significant weight loss, have those...
I HAVE BEEN THERE!! Hang in. I was devastated when I found out I had a fistula and needed a drain tube. I'm not sure if this is all the same but it sounds so much like what I had. After my take down,...
Way to go!!!! That is great! congratulations!!! :)...
It has recently slowed for me from like 10 times a day to about 6. My doctor said expect to be going frequently for about a year! I'm at about 5 months now. To slow it down, think of things that...
I hated that... and sorry to say after reconnection does not make sleep much easier. I get up about three times a night and have to "empty" still! It will slow down. I tried eating mushy foods later...
Anyone else post reconnection and have problems eating spicy foods? I really miss that with the ostomy. I LOVE spicy food and hope that my butt gets used to it...It doesn't hurt by belly just when it...
Gosh! I hate it when Pre-UC life comes back to me. I was young and felt it. Now I feel like a grandma. I used to just jump into things and not worry. Now I have to plan meals and bathroom trips......
My husband just told me the other night when he saw my scar, how proud of me he is. We call them my battle scars. I can't pretend I know how you feel. I have really small scars and my doc wanted to...
Hilarious- Dr Nichols works with Dr Singh! I saw Dr Singh in the hospital! They are a great bunch!!...
I'm in Atlanta and was so lucky to have Dr Joseph Nichols at Piedmont Colorectal Associates. He is amazing and when he was off, his associates were great too. Great work- I have had other doctors...
I'm so sorry to hear that. You and your family are in my thoughts....
I was worried about the same thing- my colectomy was also emergency. I called my insurance company before the reversal to make sure it wasn't considered elective. They said everything was in order...
I did start eating yogurt after a year of not. My lips are kind of crusty so I guess I should be drinking more water and fluids. I'm going to try and do some home remedies before going to the doctor....
The doc told me to expect to be in the hospital for 3 days to make sure everything is working but I was there for 5 days. The surgery didn't take too long, maybe a couple hours. They had me cathed up...
Hey all, So, I was reconnected in early November and I am still having quite a bit of pain from right under my ribs down to my pelvic bone. I am having loud noises and lots of gas too. Most of the...
Things like that just remind you how some of this is just out of control. I'm not afraid to lift my shirt and show my bag if anyone doubts me! :) Congrats on the new job!...
For the leak I use barrier rings that provide an extra seal and paste. It usually gives me a few days. For thicker stool I have bananas and peanut butter, grits, oat meal, potatoes, french fries......
I found that I eat more at dinner and when I eat fast it seems to fill up over night. Maybe try a tums or beano to help with any air that fills the bag? I also try to eat really early at like 5:30 or...
OMG! I spent hours trying to get people on the phone who know. Finally the on-call surgeon called me and said "NO!" And them my surgeon called to calm me down... The nurse gave me the wrong packet!...
Hey guys, So much has been going on but I really need to know if I am supposed to take this stuff or not. I have my take-down tomorrow and I thought I just had to do a clear liquid diet but the nurse...
I could not live without my lap top in the hospital. Pants that go either above or below the stoma helps; and loose fitting. Books. Mags. Fluids galore! If he does Sudoku, get him easy puzzles...
hey guys! I haven't been on for a while and last time I was worried about blockage. I had an x-ray done and they couldn't find anything. I feel like maybe I was dehydrated but I am still having so...
hahaha! Hilarious....
I have been looking on-line and I just want to know... Like, I get nauseous sometimes when I eat but not every time. I also still have out put... Could this just be an upper GI ulcer from my past? I...
I'm sure after living with UC for 4 years you aren't the average wimp! I had the same problem and took the first dose of Humira and it was NOT FUN! I screamed out when my doctor friend injected the...
It took me a while to be ok with sex again. A couple months. I just still felt swollen and didn't want to agitate anything. I'm better now but still takes some time to get in the mood.......
Thanks guys. I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow. In the mean time, I'll be drinking my meals. Thanks for the advice. :)...
I did my first full round of Remicade and my white blood cells dropped so low and so quickly that they took me off before my second dosage. It helped with my arthritis after the first infusion, but i...
Preach it! I was looking forward to an ealry date and got bumped back b/c of a tiny leak. Now I don't know when I'm gonna have my reversal. I also hated it in the beginning and had a puffy belly. I...
hey. this is Liza's husband and she's been feeling pretty sick lately. does anyone know about vomiting and if it could be a blockage if she has slow output (liquid)? it happens after meals. is there...
WOW! That sucks. I remember one nurse I had acted like she had never emptied an ostomy bag and dribbled it all over my bandages.. .gross. Congrats on your wife's pregnancy! I just miscarried right...
Wow. Good luck. I often wonder what it would be like if I didn't lose my job and had to work surgery into my work schedule. And to do it without pain meds! You are strong. Work it out! :)...
hahahahaha! That is awesome!...
I cut my wafer and use paste and a seal ring both from hollister. I like it and once I started using them together I was able to get a close fit and molds around the stoma. Good luck! and if you have...
hey guys, I was coaxed into making vegan cookies for my husband the other day and it turns out, they worked for me too!! Check out my blog in my signature for the recipe. Happy bagging! :)...