The side holes of my catheter is causing my stoma to bleed. Help!

readannMember

I am using a lot of lubricant and moving very slowly and steadily,, but when I pull out my catheter, it seems to catch on my intestine internally (not sure if it’s at the valve or closer to the surface). Blood is pooled in the side hole of the catheter and blood comes out my stoma. Sometimes it doesn’t stop for awhile. My dressing will have a fair amount of blood on it. I asked my stoma nurse and she said “don’t worry about minor blood”. I told her it wasn’t minor and she didn’t reply. I am trying to reach my surgeon.

does this ever happen to anyone else?

my pouch is one month old and I’ve been intubating for five days now.

7/9/224:22 PM

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kaydbirdMember

My only suggestion is to see if you can send a picture to the nurse and/or surgeon so they can see just how much you're talking about.

7/10/228:19 AM

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readannMember

@kaydbird posted:
My only suggestion is to see if you can send a picture to the nurse and/or surgeon so they can see just how much you're talking about.

I did capture a picture. Thanks. Just wonderingif this happens to anyone else.

7/10/228:21 AM

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BillVMember

With only 5 days of using the catheter, both you and your stoma are newbies with this procedure. It gets better with time. I am 9 years out and occasionally my catheter gets "grabbed" on the way out. Relaxing and giving the catheter a twist helps. Seeing almost any amount of blood in the early stages can be upsetting, but it is usually harmless. If you find the holes in your catheter have rough edges ( a rare occurrence), they can be smoothed with a nail file or Dreml tool.

7/10/2210:56 AM

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readannMember

@BillV posted:
With only 5 days of using the catheter, both you and your stoma are newbies with this procedure. It gets better with time. I am 9 years out and occasionally my catheter gets "grabbed" on the way out. Relaxing and giving the catheter a twist helps. Seeing almost any amount of blood in the early stages can be upsetting, but it is usually harmless. If you find the holes in your catheter have rough edges ( a rare occurrence), they can be smoothed with a nail file or Dreml tool.

Thanks!!!!

7/10/2210:56 AM

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LadyTay97Member

If I feel the catheter pinch when pulling it out as BillV said I slowly twist the catheter and then slowly pull it out. By going slowly and using lots of lube it sounds like you are doing all the right things.it does take some time to get the hang of things. Check your catheter as mentioned. Talk to your dr. Take a deep breath and relax and not let it play on your fears (I know that's easy to say, hard to do).

7/11/228:12 AM

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readannMember

Thanks! My surgeon scoped it today.

7/13/226:15 PM

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skn69Member

You might also want to file down the edges of the holes...they can sometimes be rather rough! Just use a standard emery board or a fine sandpaper...double-check them for sharp bits.

You can also boil them but it works less well.

Sharon

7/23/229:13 AM

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readannMember

Thanks! My surgeon and I figured it out.

7/23/229:18 AM

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