time for a colostomy?

[justin case]

my onco pointed out that the scar from my previous ileostomy looked like a gecko. Sadly, his legs healed into unnoticability, and what's left looks like "The Little Prince's" boa that's eaten an elephant.

Of course, if my stoma looked like your avatar, the guy that designed it would not be in my hall of fame

My ileo scar looks like the little devil, 2 bumps instead of horns, and a few inches apart

[peanut_8]

One other thing worth mentioning, is that colostomies are one thing where an experienced surgeon is invaluable. I had 3 different surgeons when I was diagnosed and hospitalized. One was just for the colostomy. Apparently my stoma is a work of art. ha It has an odd resemblance to my avatar. The good thing about this, is that it functions well.
cheers, peanut

Of course, if my stoma looked like your avatar, the guy that designed it would not be in my hall of fame

Maybe surgeons aren't the best guys to consult on artwork.

[justin case]

One other thing worth mentioning, is that colostomies are one thing where an experienced surgeon is invaluable. I had 3 different surgeons when I was diagnosed and hospitalized. One was just for the colostomy. Apparently my stoma is a work of art. ha It has an odd resemblance to my avatar. The good thing about this, is that it functions well.
cheers, peanut

Of course, if my stoma looked like your avatar, the guy that designed it would not be in my hall of fame

Maybe surgeons aren't the best guys to consult on artwork.

Oh, please As I've said before, I always wanted to look like a movie star, Frankenstein was not my intention

[NWgirl]

If the only reason you are considering an ostomy is to allow your fistula to fully heal, a temporary ileostomy seems quite logical. Just make sure your fistula is fully healed before reversing the ileostomy.

I think I've lived with my colostomy for somewhere around 3 years. In that regard, life is very good. It has given me freedom I never would have had otherwise. No pain, no wardrobe malfunctions or challenges, virtually no problems at all.

I hope you find a satisfactory solution to your situation. You do have choices and while the choices aren't easy, there is no reason to suffer the way you have.

[steiconi]

If the only reason you are considering an ostomy is to allow your fistula to fully heal, a temporary ileostomy seems quite logical.

Thank you! I was so blinded by the idea of reversible that I lost sight of the second part of my discomfort, the 2-hour nightly enemas. I think I need to make sure that if the ileostomy is working for me, I can keep it, not have to do another surgery to change to a permanent ostomy.

I'm a bit vague on that; I get the impression that permanent is usually colostomy, temporary is usually ileostomy. But a friend has had an ileostomy for over 30 years, so that's not set in stone.

Can they do a temp colostomy?

[steiconi]

Update: successful colostomy, last monday!
they also cleared out a buncha scar tissue that was causing colon blockages and trips to the ER.
Amazingly easy recovery--no NG tube! Very little pain! Home in 4 days! 2 extra hours every night for the rest of my life!

incidentally, since I asked, this colostomy is reversible indefinitely.

[peanut_8]

Hurray!!!

[JudeD59]

So glad it went well! Enjoy those extra hours!

Judy

[Jachut]

Hope it continues to go well. I have never regretted my decision - and all I had to cope with was the need for a daily enema to clear my bowels - time consuming, messy, disgusting and painful. Not really so bad as far as bowel dysfunction can go but I hated it. I have better things to do with my life than carry out hour long bowel routines. I am thankful for my colostomy every day.

[klee81]

i have had my colostomy for almost a year now...i have had almost zero issues. I haven't had adhesive issues due to sweat or anything I think that maybe a matter of finding the right product or manufacturer. I don't know if its possible for you to get a reversible colostomy? My uncle had one due to diverticulitis. Having solid stool is much easier than liquid. But I find it very freeing not being tied to the toilet. I never have to run to the bathroom again. Also I had my stoma sited with an ostomy nurse and I think that helped tremendously...my surgeon was also amazing. I hope that helps!

[Annemiek]

Hi,
Congrats on the succesful surgery. I've had my colostomy for the last half year and no issues at all. I had such an awful time from the tumor blocking my colon, every number two ended up in throwing up and pain and bloody stool that I still am relieved I don't have to anymore.
Even though it's reversible, I doubt if I want to!!

Annemiek

[steiconi]

Update... I had the colostomy 14 months ago. It was great for 6 months--more energy, no pain, no infections, and I even got a handle on equipment so I didn't have to worry much about leaks. Then I got "disuse proctitis"--inflammation of the rectal stump due to lack of pooh travelling through. Apparently, pooh nourishes the intestines, and when it stops, they may get upset.

Amazingly, "disuse proctitis" has the same symptoms as my former "hole in scar tissue"--inflammation, pain and lack of energy, PLUS a bonus of rectal bleeding. Lots of bleeding.

Surgeon had 2 treatment suggestions: plain water enemas (didn't help) and another surgery to remove the rectal stump and anus. Almost went for the surgery, but the lovely folks over at UOAA gave me several great suggestions, and after 6 months of misery, I got it under control.

[If you want to try this at home: First I tried enemas with probiotics; they reduced the pain and bleeding by quite a bit. Then someone suggested Sodium Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid believed to be the element of pooh the intestines crave; more improvements. Latest is Canasa suppositories (anti inflammatories), which seem to work even better. The Canasa is prescription only, and can be very expensive, up to $30 per daily or 2x daily dose if you have no insurance. The Sodium Butyrate is a much cheaper option, available OTC on Amazon.]

Upshot: I suspect that my problem before the colostomy was proctitis, not a hole (docs never saw a hole, they were just sure that was the problem).
And now I'm considering yet another damn surgery, to take down the colostomy. Maybe 2 surgeries if it turns out I need a temporary ileostomy while the reconnection heals. I'm playing phone tag with my doctor's office to get things worked out.

I don't think the old problems will be an issue; if they really were due to a hole, the hole has had time to heal. If they were proctitis, I now have treatment options to make them better. I'll still have to do enemas, but I've been irrigating the colostomy, so I'm still in the bathroom for an hour every night. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. And I really won't have to worry about leaky appliances!

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm sorry you're having such an awful time!*hugs* I hope that your surgery goes well.

[Pita]

Good luck to you whatever you decide (((stelconi)))

[steiconi]

thanks guys! doctor is now reluctant, but I think she'll do it...