kinda personal...but anyone had an ileostomy before?? im getting really down...

hey ladies...

so ive got a temporary ileostomy (bag on my side which waste goes to since i just had colon surgery and everything in me needs a chance to heal) and im hoping some people on here have had one, have one, or know someone with one...im getting really down and frustrated with it and just am hoping there are people here that can help me through this.... thanks!

hey Michelle,

My grandmother (dad's mom) who passed 2 years ago at the age of 87 had one.

I grew up with her - she lived with my parents from the time i was 5 until she passed.

she had the bag permanently put on when she was in her 40's.

talk to me - what are you dealing with? i know things are a bit more advnaced that what she had but am familiar with the bags, and the accruements.

thanks so much for answering Alyssa! its nice not to feel alone in this...

im just hating the feeling of having it..it gets heavy and some days my skin just burns under that sticky thing on my skin sometimes that i cry myself to sleep some nights its no fun and im nervous to leave the house ( i havent since my surgery 5 weeks ago) because im scared of leaks or getting bad pains or something and being far from home...i dunno i just feel so wierd having it and i cant sleep flat with it because it hurts so ive had to sleep sitting up on the couch and its driving me crazy

UOAA Discussion Board :: View Forum - General Ostomy Discussion

I can't help Michelle, but I found a forum that might offer support and tips!

My cousin has had one for about 10 years or more. She's in her early 40s now i think.

She said it was really hard to deal with at first and she has had to have it resited a couple of times but she says she hardly notices it now.

She has 2 kids also and has only had those since her op.

It's early days it has to get better and if its only temporary there is light at the end of the tunnel xx

Alyssa those are such good ideas! do you know where to get that pregnancy pillow?? it sounds like something that would help me so much so ill get one ASAP! and going out for coffee with my FI is a good thing to do too...just a little adventure out of the house would be so nice BAHHH it just started burning as i type this its brutally painful sometimes to the point where i have trouble breathing

Rach thanks so much for that discussion board

and Harty its good to know that after a while i will probably just barely notice having it....and ya its only temporary...i probably will have the surgery to have it taken away right around christmas...i have a doctors appt in two weeks to pick a time for surgery...so im gonna beg and plead with my doctor to make it as soon as possible lol ill frigging skip into that operating room lol

thanks for those sites! ill see if they will deliver to me up in the big white north! lol....ya for the burning i was thinking of asking my home care nurse on thursday when she comes over about a numbing cream...im hoping i can use one! honestly thank you so much for helping me with this