About the Ostomy Community
Popular Forum Topics
What's the best way of telling someone you have an ostomy?
Hi there, I need some advice please...I've been going to my local nightclub for 5 years, I guy who's also gone there all that time (and longer apparently) is suddenly showing an interest in me. He's very shy, quiet and hardly talks to anyone but his close mate, they're both bachelors, it was my new 'hairdo' (my wig since hair loss due to low dose chemo for my crohn's) that did it, they were lightheartedly arguing whether it was me or not! I started chatting to the quiet guy, I've only ever said ...
Views: 1129 Replies: 12
Ostomy diet
Is there such a thing as an ostomy diet? I am barely getting any output from my colostomy in at least a month, and I have absolutely no appetite. Last year I was in hospital with what they thought was a partial small bowel obstruction. My "diet" has been small amount of baby oatmeal and some coffee at breakfast: maybe cup of soup for lunch. Small amount of yogurt, jars of baby fruit. I tried to eat small amounts of well-cooked green beans with the carrots today. I've tried to dri...
Views: 512 Replies: 10
Is it possible to be regular with an ostomy?
Hello Everyone! Is it possible to become regular with an ostomy? My dr told me to drink Citrucel everynight to become regular. I find its all day long, Is it possible to train your colon?
Views: 727 Replies: 11
Recycling ostomy bags???
Has anyone ever heard of cleaning ostomy bags after use? I am all for recycling, but I am also concerned about the health risks.
Views: 904 Replies: 15
Disposing of an ostomy bag at a friend's house
I have an ileostomy and i like to use closed end pouches and change them twice a day. I can carry an Ostaway Bag (black, thick, zip-lock) with me and keep a fresh closed end ostomy bag with me in my pocket. Often when I am at someone's house i need to dispose of one bag and put on a fresh one. I really prefer using the closed-ended pouches and i know there isn't any smell if they are put inside the black, thick, Ostaway Zip-Lock Bag. My question is; do you think it is o.k. to throw this in s...
Views: 1273 Replies: 9
Naming my ostomy
I never thought of naming my stoma. I guess by now I would have to call it "old timer" as I have had it for 40 years now.....
Views: 575 Replies: 6
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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Stoma-related complications and problems in stoma care are common after gastrointestinal surgery requiring the construction of a stoma. The frequency and types of such complications and problems were evaluated in a patient cohort operated on in Oulu University Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A detailed questionnaire concerning clinical problems and stoma care was mailed to 163 stoma patients operated on during the years from 1995 to 2001 in Oulu University Hospital. One hundred and nineteen patients (70 percent) answered the questions adequately. The clinical variables concerning stoma complications and the patients' symptoms, problems with stoma care and adaptation to the situation were recorded. Special attention was paid to the patients' general wellbeing and social problems. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (30%) had stoma complications, most commonly parastomal hernias (18 cases). Patients with an ileostomy had more difficulties with stoma handling more often than the patients with a colostomy. Seventy-eight patients (66%) were well adapted to their stoma, including 49 (72%) of the patients with a colostomy and 25 (56%) of the patients with an ileostomy. Of the 41 non-adapted patients, 12 did not accept their altered body image, ten had problems in social life and nine had difficulties because of faecal leakage. The quality of life analysis of 114 patients showed that their physical condition was better than before the operation in 55 cases (48%), unchanged in 16 (14%) and worse in 43 (38%). General mental health was better than before the operation in 52 cases (46%), unchanged in 23 (20%) and worse in 39 (34%) patients. Social functioning had improved after stoma surgery in 38 cases (34%), remained unchanged in 27 (24%) and deteriorated in 46 (42%) patients after stoma surgery. Patients with a colostomy reported worse subjective physical condition, mental health and social functioning than the patients with an ileostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of the patients had adapted to their stoma. The patients with an ileostomy had difficulties in stoma handling and the patients with a colostomy reported their physical, mental and social wellbeing to be affected. |