I too have had the leak and spill before. It is definately part of the landscape while having a bag. I've had the bag slip out of my hands and all over the floor and trousers as they were down there,...
RITAS, No problem on all the questions. They are good ones and ones you need an answer to, so I'll try my best. First off, I had no abdominal pain during any of my recoveries. After the first and...
RITAS, I am 10 weeks post take down and I had an Ileostomy. The take down surgery wasn't bad at all, they sutured me with two sutures and left it open to scar in. That took about two weeks. The night...
RITAS, There are several creams on the market, I use a combination of them. I use Ilex and cover it with vaseline since it is really sticky, and sometimes I'll use Calmoseptine. The Calmoseptine has...
I can't speak for others, but I was 200 when I went into the hospital and had the emergency subtotal colectomy. I dropped down to 172 pounds and after all the surgeries I am hovering around 178 -...
Chertuc, I can understand your frustration as this whole thing seems to be an ongoing process. It is often at times hard to dream of the day when the bag will be gone, the take down done and...
Chertuc, The only incision I had with my take down was where the stoma protruded from the skin. Basically the sewed up the hole, disconnected it and stuffed it back in. Then they put in two sutures...
Chertuc, Just when it seems the world is falling in around you, you will find that it is merely an illusion and things have only gone to crap temporarily. As you normally do, you will ride out the...
Pepperdog, It sounds like he's pretty normal for the amount of time that he has had the bags. I just got into the habit of dumping mine whenever I went to the toilet to urinate. So I imagine...
Pepperdog, the butt burn is usually the cause of diarhea (sorry for spelling) and most people when they have the trotsky's get a mild case of it from the acid in the stool and all the wiping. It's...
KayKay, I had a subtotal colectomy in October of 2005 and had the reversal in February 2006. On April 21 2006 I had the take down so I am 8 or 9 weeks post surgery. At least my experience I fell a...
Chertuc, Yes it is reasonable to return to work after 6 weeks out, depending on the work you do. If it is office type where you have a toilet available, as well as your diet, it can work. Also as far...
Hi lmonty, It sounds like you are having the same thing I have had. I'm 44 and had a subtotal colectomy in October 2005 after 15 years of U/C. They did the first surgery on an emergency basis. As for...
Chertuc, I know that you don't want the surgeon to go back in through the initial incision, but everyone told me and it was true that the second time around isn't near as bad as the first. Probably...
Hi Chertuc, Well between you, Cathy W and I, we make a regular little scar group huh? Keep you're sense of humor. It will help you through this. My story is similar to yours and Cathy W's, except...
AllieR, Is your surgeon going to include a J or K pouch or has that even been discussed? I had my colon taken in October '05 and in February they did the reconnect. They wanted to wait 6 months...
Hi Bubba, I just had my J-pouch on April 21st, and I don't have any regrets. While I am a bit older (44), I fought the U/C for 15 years. All the steroids and other drugs, too many to recount. I...
Ok, I see where you are coming from. I can agree with that, in which I don't go out and publish the fact, but if someone asks then I'm not ashamed to talk to them about it. I can understand your...
Karl, The tablets I use are called Gas X and are usually found at the pharmacy along with all the gas and diaretic items. Also there is one called Beano which is suppose to be very good also. Most of...
Saucy, I can understand the plight of your son. A couple of years ago we took our kids to Disney World and I can assure you that I know where every restroom in all the parks are. I too have used the...
Hoping2Bwell, I like you're style. Heck, if there is no dog around, you might as well blame it on the husband. I too had that problem with the ostomy, but since I have had the J-pouch and take down,...
Artist, Why are you upset over this. Are they no longer speaking to you? Are they teasing you or something like that? Believe me, things could be alot worse, so don't get down on yourself for letting...
Karl, I am about in the same boat as you, so welcome aboard mate. I had my take down on April 21, 2006. Yes, I experience excessive wind down there too which isn't necessarily a problem unless you...
Wow Saucy, that's one that is tough for the books. I was 29 when I was diagnosed so I can't speak from experience at the age of 11, but I'll relay a few things I have encountered. I think the first...
Hi Mom, Just read your post on only going once or twice a day. From my perspective I'm the opposite because of the U/C, and now the final take down with J-pouch. My Doc told me I would probably go...
You're right Madelyn, I also did that with my first stoma and that wasn't much of an issue. Unfortunately, when they did my reconnect, they said they had to stretch so much that there was very little...
Madelyn, Thanks for the info on the screw on lid for the wafer. That will come in handy, although I am fortunate in that I have had mine removed and am in the healing process. Hopefully others will...
Well I figure what the heck, I may as well weigh in on this. I recently had my take down, but when I did have my ostomy, my wife was pretty great about it. After the reconnect especially when they...
Hi AVP and welcome. As for the weight gain, mine was up and down over the years with the off and on use of Prednisone. It was really hard to track. As far as having the ileostomy take down and...
Thanks Cathy. I usually don't try to force it, I really don't have to. It just kind of does it on it's own. Went and saw the C/R Doc today and he said everything looked fine. Talked to him about the...
Mom23, Glad to hear things are going well and hopefully the other shoe won't drop on you. I am longing for the day of getting back to eating whatever I want. That was one nice thing about the...
Hi All, It's been two weeks and two days since the ileostomy take down, and I will admit I have had fleeting moments wondering if it was the right thing, but like I said, those thoughts last about a...
Youch ! Any words of wisdom on dealing with the rawness after the take down. I know it is a part of the process, but really starting to get to me. I have tried the Preparation H Towlettes, Witch...
Hi gbrux and everyone, Just checking in. gbrux, the pain that I am having in my feet is in my right heel, and also under my second toe and into the ball of my left foot. It was strange. I went into...
That's true. I guess you really do " open yourself up" for the world. Ha ha. Phil...
Thanks Cathy, I'll have to try the Prep H. towelettes. Anything that is flushable would be good. Hope the Barbasol works for you. I understand the texture issue. I moved from "free flowing" to thick...
Thanks Cathy, I am excited that it is going well, and I know the feeling on the eating. I have been trying to concentrate on the bulk things like rice, breads and banana's and that seems to help....
Greetings All, Just wanted to update you on how I am doing. Had my ileostomy take down on April 21st in the afternoon. The surgery went very well and that evening I was awake (in and out) and just...
Hi Folks, Sorry it's been awhile since my last posting. I've had a few ups and downs. That and we sold our house and were moving, when I ended up back in the hospital with an infection. Apparently I...
Hey Crissie, Glad to hear things are going somewhat well for you, and I can understand the frustration with the bag. I've had my ups and downs with them also and I dont care what they say, it does...
Beth, Glad to hear things are turning around a bit for you. I am sure it has been quite a booger, but it is good to see that perhaps the light at the end of the tunnel is actually daylight and not an...
Beth, Sorry to hear things are going rough for you. I can't imagine the pain that you are going through, and I am certainly no expert on it. I am hoping to have my take down the first week of April....
Greetings Folks, New to the site, not too new to the Ileostomy world. I want to thank all of you who have posted. I found this website while researching Ileo's and it has been of great help to me...