shrinking stoma/skin bumps growing

rosie--from what i can understand of your situation it sounds miserable.  so sorry this has happened to you.  i am not sure what you mean by the bumpy skin pieces and i hope others can weigh in with their experience.  i did have some angry skin and used the stoma powder and then the no sting skin barrier.  below is a link to one brand and a short description from their site.  i use it daily because i have extensive mucus output.  medicare covers it.

might you try a 28 FR?  the holes are smaller so more difficult to intubate.  or try freezing the catheter before inserting?  bummer for traveling.  only other thought is to install a 24/7 system.  not necessary to use a leg bag, but rather you can crimp the catheter as it comes out of the nipple.  i did this post-surgery, of a shoulder replacement, and although the mucus was a mess it did work.  used a paper binder clip to crimp.  

what city are you in?

please keep us posted on how you resolve this.  janet

info on no sting skin barrier

http://www.smith-nephew.com/pr.../no-sting-skin-prep/

NO-STING SKIN-PREP is a versatile, alcohol-free, liquid film forming skin protectant which can be used on intact or damaged skin to help prevent irritation caused by:

• Moisture associated dermatitis from wound exudate or ostomy effluent 
• Incontinence associated dermatitis

Rosie, although I have not had stenosis in my BCIR stoma, there is a plug called a “binkie” that will likely keep your stoma open enough to facilitate insertion of your catheter.  I suggest you call Susan Kay at Dr. Rehnke’s office to ask about this plug and get information on obtaining one.  In the meantime, be sure to use plenty of lube when inserting your catheter and definitely do not force it in.  Relax and try different positions.

Hi Rosie, 

Those bumps are granulation and they happen because of the rubbing/friction of your tube against the sensitive stoma tissue...there is a very easy fix.

Silver nitrate sticks. You get them in large tubes of 100..and then you just dampen the tip (they look like long matches) and gently touch it to the bumps...a couple times on each bump and very carefully throw it in the garbage after wrapping the head of the stick in TP or a cotton pad...They stain/burn and can stain your counter permanently so please be careful. The bumps will turn a whitish - grey colour. Do it everyday for about a week. It cauterizes the granulation and burns it back (it is practically painless...you may experience a mild stinging or burning sensation throughout the day but it is very mild), they may bleed a bit more than usual because the cauterization burns off the surface cells and then heals until you do it again the next day...Dr C used to do it for me every time that I went in for an appt...just as a matter of habit...to keep them from growing too big.

Keep those silver nitrate sticks safely away from kids in the back of a pharmacy cupboard. 

They can also be used to burn away skin tags.

I need to do mine again this week...I do them yearly now.

Sharon

Thank you all. 

Janet- I am in Ft Myers. Also thanks for info on No Sting spray. Yeah, my stoma opening has never been a smooth round hole. It has always looked slightly bumpy, (kind of like cauliflower?) I don't have a 28 french, but I will order some with my next supply order. 

Bill- Thanks. I will put in a call to Susan. I have talked to her in the past, she seems very nice & helpful. I remember Vanessa mentioning the binkies in the past. Thanks! 

Sharon- Where do you get the nitrate sticks? Can they be ordered with out prescription? Now that you mention it, I think that is what the colorectal surgeon used when it happened 3 months post opp. And I never had another problem. I didn't know it could be done at home. 

I am thankful for this site and your responses! Love my K pouch/BCIR people! I can always count on you guys! <3

 Bill – – where could I get a binkie?  Might be just what I need in my emergency kit for my upcoming trip to China!  Searched all over the web but couldn't find it for sale.

Rosie – –  A warning on the 28 FR.  I had problems with it for two reasons. For one, the holes are smaller as is the diameter, which results in longer  passage time for the output  and more chances for gunk to get stuck in the holes.  Also, it doesn't have as much structural strength as the 30 F R  and subsequently  it floped over when I  attempted to intubate    Have you tried freezing the catheter for about 20 minutes before inserting? I found that helped, but then again I was a rank beginner and anything was going to help me – – this site Saved me.   Still does.  Have you tried standing or kneeling, which somewhat imitates the standing position. If I'm having a really rough time I'll go back to standing and it works. 

 As for sopping up the mucus, I'm in the same boat as you are– – Woefully too much.  I  attach the nursing pad to the inside of my panty, and tape part of a sanitary pad  over the stoma. I leave the thin plastic wrap on it  so that it doesn't stick to the nursing pad. During the day, when I intubate,  I'll change the sanitary pad and sometimes use paper towel.  My skin gets quite irritated if I don't use the no sting skin barrier,  although I don't need to use it after each intubation. Rather, I'll use it two or three times during the day. Skin is happy, I'm happy. Keep us posted and hope all is well. Janet 

Thanks Janet! I will keep you posted. Safe travels to China & enjoy the trip!

Janet, the binkie was devised and is available from Wayne Jacks who can be contacted at mwjacks@aol.com.  He makes them himself and they come in two sizes. They are not available commercially.  Hope you have a great and uneventful trip to China.

Bill

I have a tiny, strictured  stoma. Is there a simple surgical procedure to enlarge the opening a bit?   john@winedesign.com