Update: I registered for classes. I’m going to school. I’m going to take Rachelle’s suggestion and register with the Disabled Students Org. Isn’t that a bitch…I’m a disabled student.
Anyhoo. I just got back from my trip to Oregon. What a rad state. It was even more rad because my stupid ostomy didn’t cause any problems. In fact, for the first time EVER I got it to stick so well I waiting almost a week to change it. Which isn’t good, but shit I’ll take that as opposed to changing mid-vacation or because its falling off. Oregon’s cool. Its got some cool stuff, like the ocean and Voodoo donuts. Its like a better, prettier version of Michigan.
I have been having this issue with the whole ostomy/skin bit. I’m gonna call the stoma nurse unless you guys can help me out. I’ve been using barrier rings lately, because paste made me want to kill myself. One time, I had this ring that was stuck to my skin so well it WOULD NOT come off. Period. It sucked and I ended up sorta ripping off some skin which totally tickled. So anyhoo, it is sorta this little mini open wound that I poured some stoma powder on to just protect it, but obviously I had to put sticky shit right over it again. Lets just say it hasn’t healed but it hasn’t really gotten worse, but every time I take off the wafer I’m afraid I’ll rip it open more. What do I do about this? Suggestions?
Well anyhoo, with that, here are some Oregon pictures.
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My advice: have your stoma nurse take a look at it. That “mini open wound” has to heal before you’ll get a good seal (obviously), but I’d like to know how you get the skin to heal while wearing an appliance over it.
I have had this problem for a few months. Here is what I do… put the stoma powder right on the irritated area, let it sit, brush the excess off. Then, spray the Convatec barrier spray and let dry. Then put the bag on. This past post-op visit I had the nurse gave me a prescription for “Duoderm.” Hope this helps, I know how painful it is. 🙁
You really need an appointment with an ostomy nurse. When you are removing the bags are you using the adhesive remover wipes? They are murder on a mani, but it really helped if you had a bag that you got to really stick good. Also, are you doing powder (wiping off excess), then skin barrier/protection and then the ring? I also had to do paste with the ring & I had a special wafer with my second stoma because it was a pesky little bugger. Kudos to you for traveling with your alien… I had a hard enough time just getting to work with mine. I traveled recently with my new j-pouch & I thought about what it would be like with an ostomy…. did you have any problems getting your products through security? I had a hard time explaining why I kept setting off the alarms b/c of the staples in my lung! Joys of dealing with colitis and its side effects – will this shit ever end?
Glad to hear you are doing better and that you are going to be able to go to school.
The skin around my stoma was constantly irritated due to the adhesive from the barrier ring. Even with the adhesive remover, the skin would tear a little every time I changed it. But what was even worse was when I would get everything cleaned up and ready to apply my new barrier, some juice would squirt out and I’d have to clean it all over again. No fun at all. Hopefully your stoma nurse will be able to help you find a way to allow you to get a good seal with out damaging your skin any further.
The loop tore my skin up! I had so much breakdown around the stoma. The only thing that worked for me was using a warm wash cloth to help lossen any paste (I hate paste- I leaked everytime I used paste or the rings), then use those wipes all over the area that will be covered with the flang. Light layer of powder, brush off extra and then spray that spray over the area. I filled in the hole that was around my stoma with the powder then covered it with the spray ~ sprinkle/brush, spray, dry repeat *3X’s* . Make sure you are letting it dry between applications and before you put on a new ‘sticker’. I had more probs when I used pastes and such then if I just used the powder and spray.
I hope you feel better soon. I will be going back to a perm ostomy before to long, I hope soon. Come to find out not only do I have chronic pouchitis I have UC that is now extending into the ‘anal zone’. Really great! Ulcers in/on my anus!!! 3 years and 4 surgeries and all those complications later…a waste
Hi Jackie!
I love your blog! It really helped me when I was told that I needed to have my colon removed. My temp ileostomy has been a pain in the butt so I know all about open wounds. My stoma nurse suggested that I put liquid Maalox on the open wound, let it dry and wipe it with 3M No Sting wipes. The Maalox dries out the wound (strange, I know). She also told me that the barrier rings are used to make the appliance more convex. The barrier ring I was using would swell and make my bag leak. If you get a convex appliance, you don’t need a barrier ring. Without all of the extra accessories it makes bag changes much easier. Thanks for your honest account of what an ileostomy and the surgeries are really like. Your humor has really helped me get through this BS.
I had an open wound and found it necessary to see an Ostomy Nurse. She used Aquacel Ag wound dressing, a felt like material that she cut to size to fit over the wound. It took awhile for my wound to heal because of its’ size depth.
Good girl! I’m glad you registered for classes. Yeah, signing up for DS sucks, but that’s why they’re there, so I say use them! And go kick some school ass!!
Glad the trip went well. You have some really great photos!