Eeks...

This morning my stoma started itching, and sure enough I had sprung a leak. When I took off my bag and wafer the area around the stoma was bloody and red. I had some bleeding with my first stoma, but this was way worse then what I remember. Sure enough it was spewing the whole time I was trying to change it. I did take a shower without the bag and wafer on. Cool water felt good, but if the spray hit it just right it hurt. I wish I could have left the wafer and bag off for a while so the skin could get a rest. I'm using 2 pc. Coloplast Assura (?) w/concave wafers.

Is there anything I'm forgetting about, that can be put on irritated skin to help it heal?

I'm surprized how fast the swelling in my stoma went down. I went from a 1 1/4" down to a 7/8" by the second week.

On a funny note...the stoma nurse said to always shower with the bag on. I thought, you have obviously never worn a bag. One of lifes little pleasures is showering without the contraption on.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cataja,

Hi Cataja,

Definately one of life's little pleasures is showering without the contraption.

I'm sure you already have done this. However, if not then you will need to use some stomahesive powder on the weeping skin and then either spray with a no-sting barrier such as Cavilon or dab with a no-sting barrier wipe. Allow to crust over and dry and then apply your bag. You may be a little early in the game for a convex wafer, especially if you still have the disolving stitches around your stoma. You could try a flat wafer for now to see how you go. Make sure it's durahesive rather than stomahesive as the durahesive appliances are more suited to the high acidic output of an ileostomy.

I'm pretty sure there will be others along soon with some more ideas.

I do hope that this settles down very soon for you. Let me know if there is anything I can help with.

Luv & hugs

Shell

I'm an Eakin seal girl...I find using them helps me to heal any spots that get irritated. I have a tiny pinhole next to my stoma and if I go too long between changes that skin gets raw. I position the Eakin so that it protects the area and in a day or two all is well. I do use Eakins all the time too instead of paste.

Thanks Shell and Jill...

I was usinf regular wafers, but I got leaks almost daily. That seemed to clear up after I went to the convex wafers. Yes I can still see stitches. I'll check into the durahesive stuff.

Cataja,

My stoma nurse recommended Nystatin for my skin breakdown and it healed within a few days. I only used for two applications (3-4 days apart) and it was all cleared up.

I also agree with Jill: I had terrible problems with leakage as I was shrinking so quickly (and still am as I'm only 4 1/2 weeks out) and have nice little "rolls" where the stoma is located that the Stomahesive held less than a day. My nurse again suggested the Eakins and I think they work great with the convex wafers and now get 3-4 days between changes even with high output.

Hope it all works out! If you have access to an ostomy nurse, I recommend using them... She has been an absolute God-send for me!

Cataja,

Your in my neck of the woods. who did your surgery? Rothenberger did mine at the U of M.

After my initial & revision surgery, I reached a point both times were I thought things looked bad and would never get better. Both times at the 6-7 week mark the stitches went away and the skin improved a lot. I would take Shell's advice with the powder and crusting. And Jill's Eakin seal suggestion. It works wonders both for getting a good seal, and also to let bad skin heal.

Andy

Thanks everyone...I'm calling my stoma nurse today. I think they have office hours on Wednesdays, so maybe I can get in tomorrow.

Winnie..I had my 2 j-pouch surgeries at Mayo in Rochester with Dr. David Larson. My obstruction surgery was at St. Josephs in St. Paul, and my disconnect was at St. John's in Maplewood.