Dealing With Ostomy Blockages: Ostomy Tips
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- If you have an ileostomy or colostomy, you'll likely be told to avoid blockages and bowel obstructions. In this video, I'll be explaining a few of the things that I do to avoid blockages and some tips on how to deal with them if you end up with one.
This is another video in my series of ostomy care videos.
For more tips on how to prevent and deal with blockages, check out my full article at:
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Hi. This is great info and very well done. As an ostomate veteran who has been living with it for 18 years now, I would like to add 3 little tips that I have that almost alway work for me. At the very first twinge of a blockage I drink hot water with lemon and 2TBS of Raw apple cider vinegar and I take 300mg of Magnesium. I lay on my right side and I start massaging around my ostomy. This is so far been iron clad for me. Once I figured this out I have never had to make another trip to the hospital. I also started taking digestive enzymes with my meals and everything breaks down so much better than it does without them. Just my little tips. Hope they help someone. God bless.
Thank you for sharing those tips, Sarah! 👌
ABSOLUTELY SUPERB Video Eric. To save me typing it all again, I will add here a comment I made on a LetsTalkIBD Video when Maggie had a blockage....here it is....
Hi there....I’ve had my Ileostomy for 48 years!!! I’ve had blockages....not too many....THANK GOD... as a bad blockage can be horrific!! NO LAXATIVES whatsoever if you have a blockage!!! Take your appliance off...it’s not working anyway....hot bath.....lie on bed....do cycling in the air exercises....keep turning over onto one side then the other. Take Paracetamol to dull the pain. I drink loads and loads of hot, sweet tea. You MUST keep hydrated. Last resort....off to Hospital, especially as soon as any vomiting starts. I am the culprit of my last blockages. A HUGE pizza, with Mushrooms and Pineapple (sure blockage makers!!). CHEW EACH MOUTHFUL TO A PULPY MUSH!, ileostomies LOVE SLOP!! You should chew each mouthful 20 times before swallowing!! Blockage makers: ALL FOODS THAT DON’T “DISSOLVE” IN WATER!!.....Mushrooms, Pineapple, apple, hard pears, Lettuce, Sweetccorn, Raw Onions (all type stuff), Cucumber, Nuts, raw vegetables, stodgy pastries (pizza, etc.). When you eat.....THINK!! will this DISSOLVE? If the answer is NO.....if you MUST eat it...chew, chew, CHEW (20 times) until it is a slop. Don’t hurry food....it just clogs up...Drink plenty. Hope this helps someone to avoid the truly horrific experience of a blockage with an Ileostomy. I was to become a Doctor - stopped by being too ill with Crohn’s. When you get a blockage, peristaltic action (the involuntary muscle movement of the intestine that pushes food along its length, almost a snake-like effect) eventually almost gives up pushing and it slows down, making a blockage situation worse. People with “normal” intestines can “strain” voluntarily (on the loo) to push things along. Not so with an Ileostomy!! I hope my input comment to this video is helpful. If it helps stop ONE person from getting a blockage, it has been worth me spending the time to type this.....
Great tips, Teddy!! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks you for typing all that Teddy Burr. You have helped me. I experienced a blockage due to scar tissues and some high fiber food issues. New ileostomate since four months ago. I had my 1st surgery Nov 2018 & in late Jan 2019 my 1st scary blockage. I eat like I am walking on broken glass. I am scared of the NG tube. Will do anything to avoid it. Its so uncomfortable having the tube for 4 days straight while I was in the hospital.
that's amazing, sir, all the very very best,
Thank you so much
You are so good at making the videos. Being direct is perfect. Some people tend to rattle on about other things that have nothing to do with the subject at hand. So thank you for being direct and friendly in your presentation. 🙂
Thank you, Pamela!
You are most welcome.
Yes. And some insist on 'insert here' cute pet, child or partner cameo. And the music...
If one's content is contained considered concise curated and has context to the headline I am all ears.
If if the headline is shock and awe clickbait and the content is contrary to it or is crass apologetic self demeaning with too many filler words and adjectivefying I mute and educate myself by reading the comments And if the comments are a repetitive love or hate fest I scroll on by.
End Rant:
I had a blockage in Jan. 2017, nearly 2 years after my initial surgery. It was caused by a small parastomal hernia that had developed. Symptoms: griping pain immediately after eating my supper - thought I’d started a tummy bug. Bed time: no output - never happened before, as the bag is always full at bed time. Felt really off colour, and had frequent griping pains, and in the middle of the night, vomited. Early next morning, still no output, so told my hubby and he got me straight to A&E.
Then followed several days while they tried to unblock me - one doctor put his finger inside Kermit to try and unblock him but that didn’t work. Then they put a long flexible rubber tube in, but next morning, Kermit had spat it out and it was all in the bag, curled up, but still no output. I had to wait THREE DAYS to get a CT scan which eventually revealed the problem and I had emergency surgery. By this time I was in a seriously weakened state and had vomited quite a bit and had the mother and father of a headache. Eventually the nurse said I’d be better with the dreaded NG tube - I refused at first but she more or less insisted. It was nothing short of torture. I NEVER want to go through that again.
I had open surgery, with the surgeon opening up my original scar. It was done by a general surgeon (not a colorectal specialist) so he just sutured the hernia closed. These repairs have a 100% recurrence rate, which in my case was only about 3 months later.
After my surgery I was very poorly and was in for nearly 3 weeks. I had further vomiting and I brought up some absolutely disgusting black stuff which made me feel even worse. They gave me cyclizine for the vomiting and I started to hallucinate, and all the nurses grew beards - and I mean the female nurses! When I told them, it caused a great deal of amusement as you can imagine. One has to keep a sense of humour under such circumstances.
My electrolytes got all out of balance and one night I had to have 2 courses of insulin to try and force the excess potassium back into my tissues before it caused damage to my heart, and not being diabetic, they had to check my blood glucose every half hour by pricking my fingers. My veins are shot from the chemo I had just after my original surgery so they had to make 2 or 3 attempts each time, in order to get any blood. By morning all my fingers were really sore. The first course of insulin didn’t work, so they had to repeat the process and they were at it all night. When I eventually got to sleep I had a horrific nightmare and was crying out and woke everyone up!! It took me ages to recover from this whole awful experience and my wound was weeping gunk and the whole thing was a mess.
Last year the hernia was repaired again, this time by my own colorectal surgeon and he put mesh in. However, 2 weeks later I was back in with sepsis - 2 large infected haematomas in my abdomen. I had 2 drains inserted, one under general anaesthetic. I was in constant pain throughout. My hubby was told that if they hadn’t got my temperature down in the first 48 hours, I’d have died. I had 2 units of blood, and 3 different cocktails of powerful IV antibiotics before they found the right combination, and I continued with the oral version for about 3 weeks after I was discharged. Because of all that infected blood floating around, the mesh repair failed and the hernia was back again only a month or two later. I have now been referred to another hospital and it is likely I shall require further, specialised surgery for this “intractable” hernia which carries the risk of further blockages. I had to wait FOUR MONTHS for the latest CT scan, and I am now awaiting the results, and further appointments.
Blockages are a PAIN and should definitely be avoided if at all possible. At all costs protect yourself from the NG tube monster who is out to get you, and shows no mercy!
Wow thanku for sharing 👏, I had to check to see if that was 1 of my old comments, thats how similar are stories are. I'm back watching this video because Im going thru it rite now. 👍💩👍
@@user-xh9jm4di6x So sorry to hear you are going through it. It’s miserable. Since writing all that, things have moved on a bit. After my CT scan, the hospital lost me in their system and I waited several months before I finally phoned them. I saw the surgeon again and he said that in view of all the weight I’d lost and the fact I have a lot of excess skin on my abdomen, I would need a tummy tuck to tighten everything up. He would repair the hernia and things should be fine. However, with the delay, we then got into the whole Covid mess and my operation has been put on an indefinite waiting list because all elective surgery has been cancelled! I have now resigned myself to it never happening because I can’t imagine how they are ever going to clear up the backlog and I do not believe that we will ever get back to normal, despite what the govt. says. I can live with the hernia but it is getting worse and I’m now having to change the bag three times a week instead of twice. I had the support pants lady out to see me again recently (I didn’t have any new ones last year because of the lockdown) and she said that despite having lost weight, my abdomen now measures 2 cm more than it did on her last visit, because the hernia has got bigger. The world’s a mess and we just have to plug on the best we can, I guess. Hope you get through everything OK and don’t need further surgery.
We hope you are doing better. Thank You for that. We still aren't aware of things involved with this. Folks like you who share their experiences help more people learn and adjust. Again Thank You!
@@matthewchapman2494 Thank you so much. Information is key - if nothing else, it helps people to know that they are not alone.
Further developments - on my long-awaited operation to repair my parastomal hernia - still absolutely nothing. I can spit in the wind for all the difference it makes. I’ve pretty much resigned myself to it never happening now. However, at the beginning of June I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ve had my MRI scan and am due for surgery on 9th July, after which we’ll know if I need chemo or not. Fortunately they say I can have a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy so I’m very thankful for that. I’ve got to have radiotherapy and hormone therapy, that much we do know. It’s a bummer to have 2 separate, unrelated primary cancers in one’s life, but you have to just accept it and plug on and get through it. My faith in Jesus is strong and I have a wonderfully supportive husband, and whatever happens I know I shall be all right. When people ask if I’m OK I say “I am fine where it counts”!!
Again Thank You for sharing and we hope you and your family are doing as well as can be. A lot of folks don't understand the importance of a great support system. I was one. Not anymore. I do know people care whether family or friends. And just by letting folks know that we aren't the only ones brings us closer. Education to me is scary not being a medical professional and afraid of doing something wrong! But we are learning and thanks to you and all the brave people who tell their story does help so much! Thank You and we love you.
Eric, everything you said is great. I like how you don't go off on a tangent you just state the facts. I went to the hospital twice with blockages; those NT tubes are horrible, take it from me. Now when I feel a blockage coming on, I don't wait too long. I remove the waiver completely, sit on toilet and massage around the stoma and it has always worked. Don't want any more NTs. Thanks again Eric.
hi Eric great video. I've had a parchell blockage when I had my surgery done 11 months ago glad I was.still in hospital where they simply pressed around the area and put some moviecal in my juice this helped things move along. stay healthy and see you in the next blog
:-)
Thank you for the info. One of my biggest fears. Blockages. You were very informative Eric. I subscribed. This way I can find you easier. I’m 73 need all the help I can get. Don’t remember too well. 😊
What I hated about the NG tubes was when they flushed them with cold water and you get the maddening urge to swallow even though you're completely aware that the liquid is bypassing your oesophagus.
I'm glad I let the nursing staff install mine, however, as I had major issues post-surgery with green bile collecting in my stomach, giving me dreadful heartburn and the NG tube was used to extract it, up to a litre at a time.
I had the Green bile & they had to put my NG connected to a machine to suck it out 🙁
Yay! Excellent job of describing how not to get a blockage. I have had an ileostomy close to 40 years and you name it, we Herbie (my stoma) did it. Now after too many surgeries I have too little gut and I’m on TPN. Total Parental Nutrition... a built in IV. I can eat tiny bits but do so with a risk, so it’s chew, chew, chew and tiny amounts. I have been asked many times about avoiding certain foods...chew, chew, chew. Popcorn still is a no no for me. I’m so excited about finding you and I will be following👍👍👍
Glad you found me 😀😀
Herbie lol! I'm sorry you have these problems. It sounds like you live up to your name though (Arlene Laughter).
Thank you so much for the information. I woke up at 4am with my husband thinking his loop ileostomy is blocked or partially blocked and he was kind of freaking out. I knew just where to go for info! You’ve been a great help to him since his colectomy last June. Thanks ♥️
I hope he's doing ok now! Thanks for your kind words and support!
What did ya do to help him with this matter.?.??
I’ve had my stoma for 25 years. Through my bowel obstructions it caused me to have 2 small bowel resections. 8 years on I’ve just had my 3rd obstruction in 2 weeks. I couldn’t go to the hospital due to the pain being so bad I was unable to get myself off the bed. That one lasted 26 hours! How stupid I was, I could of caused terrible damage. Blockages are becoming a problem again but my gastroenterology appointment has been cancelled 5 times now due to the NHS and covid 19 problems. My blockages are the full blown obstruction, vomiting, no pressure underneath my stoma but terrible pain in my lower abdomen. This video is a MUST HAVE. About time a person with an ileostomy gives advice that has experience and knows what there talking about. Sadly I’m not a good patient due to all my surgery and hating hospitals! My next blockage I’m heading straight to hospital. Problem I have is that I’m unable to move once the pain gets severe, an ambulance with gas and air is the only thing that with get me to the hospital
I hope it gets better for you Adele. I'm glad you've at least been working with your GI doctor to get this looked at. Best to you!
Thank you for this. I have had a colostomy for 3 years and I panic when it is going off all the time and when its quite. My doctor has prescribed laxatives for the quite times. This video is great and puts my mind at ease. Thank you so much.
You are most welcome!
We are normally not conscious of the intestine 'produce' until it needs to come out of our anus. So when an ileostomy or colostomy happens the behaviour surprises us. But if you get to know how the small and large intestine work, it can help to not take you unawares. Particularly, for individuals with GI problems, the behaviour of the intestine is very individualistic; for example, I learned (before I had to stop eating) that my Colon does not like fibre.
@@flowerpetals1396 Yes. I read Konstantin Monastyrsky
Fiber Menace: The Truth About The Leading Role Of Fiber In Diet Failure, Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Etc. which has helped me in my dealing with my output and colostomy bag.
I know name of this channel is Vegan Ostomy but I decided to become a more fat and meat based ostomate when I experienced trouble with blow-outs, emptying and cleaning up after eating plant based foods.
I carry a flushing kit with me wherever I go. A fill a small 100ml travel toiletry bottle water with a dash of lubricating deodoriser to flush my bag if needs must when out and about.
But I must say having a sense of humour paired with curiosity is a much better mindset, and heartset than catastrophising. Though it is not a habit I must say a good meltdown does wonders too.
My Mum had a saying that if you keep thinking about something the good lord will think you like it and will give you more of the same. To be more concise What you think about you bring about. So as ostomates we must be careful of what we think. Well all humans really...
Life happens through us if we take responsibility and it will happen for us if we need a reset but it will happen to us if we play the blame game.
Thank you for listening to my morning ponderings...
5 months in thankfully I haven’t had a blockage. Soup has been my key for having good regular output…pumpkin soup on Monday,Wednesday & Friday. The other days I eat what I want.
Thank you for reminding me. I'm so lucky to have blockages only very rare and therefore I became careless. If it happens it's always a kind of correction and overthinking my lifestyle, social pressure, my own psychological situation, how I treat myself, independence of other opinions. Magnesium, pineapple juice, removing the flange and concentrating only on my body helped - yet. Thanks again for the warning right today on our 5th birthday:)
You are so welcome
Our emotions and our psychology are drivers of our health and our soul is in control. We are mental, emotional, physical and spiritual beings so we do ourselves a disservice by alowing our health providers to focus only on our physical bodies. Our bodies keep score and store trauma...childhood, past, generational and ancestral...
Two books I refer to often are The body is the barometer of the soul so be your own doctor by Annette Noontil, and The secret language of your body, the essential guide to healing by Inna Segal.
@@jo-annel.wright2975 thank you for the book Tipps. Stay well
tipps
No, not a joke at all, and no fun! Thank you for the tips..I've used a few. I myself have had multiple bowel obstructions, multiple surgeries etc. I'm as you know a new iliostomy paitent, and allready I've had 2 obstructions. Not due to food, but scar tissue. Anyway, I've had several scares these past few month's, not sure how to help things move along..so these tips are perfect, a need to know.
Thanks again so much!
I experienced the same due to scar tissue and some high fiber food issues. New ileostomate since four months ago Had my 1st surgery Nov 2018 & in late Jan 2019 1st blockage. I eat like I am walking on broken glass. I am scared of the NG tube. Will do anything to avoid it. Its so uncomfortable having it for 4 days straight. . How are you doing these days. Any tips?
@@jamesfelipe3581 Drink a lot ! Tramadol fluid 4 x 40 dr a day
against heavy pain , never eat long fibers , asperges ect , olive oil for good passing , magnesium also. Eat often a little bit. Everything is different with an ostomy. I had a lot of blokkages. One time I collapsd. Never forget we are strong !!! And God helps us ! I am sure, after 39 surgerys . Never give up !!! Greets ❤️👩🏼🦰😺from the Netherlands.
Warm baths with 2 cups of Epsom salt and 1 cup of baking soda and/or castor oil packs. Vitamin c and/or magnesium help too.
I know you posted this a while ago, but I was curious about using castor oil in the bath and of there are potential issues with adhesives when trying to attach a new wafer.
NO epsom salt if you're diabetic!!!!!!
I dont know if I could handle all these complications. You are very brave. I think I would have a nervous breakdown.
It wasn't easy at first, but it does get much easier with time and experience. 👍
Thank you Eric, you always give great advice..I come to you for answers, not for me, but for my husband who has an ileostomy..He has colon cancer, with liver cancer on chemo..With chemo going through him, this brings other challengers he has to deal with.
I wish your husband all the best with his treatments. He's lucky to have someone like you who looks out for his best interest. 👍
Thank you Eric, we been married 42 years, but been with each other for 47, he's my Soulmate!... I'm so glad I found your videos, you're a great person Eric I can tell!....I wish all the best for you as well.
Eric, thanks for this video.
Thanks so much for this video. I’m fairly new to this world, and I just had my first experience with a blockage. I have a colostomy, but symptoms are pretty much the same. The only difference is I can go a day or two without any output at all on a regular basis, so it took 4-5 days before I got very concerned and uncomfortable.
I am sorry to say this, but my stoma nurse and colorectal surgeon’s service were of no help at all. None. The only thing I was advised to do is go to the ER. Now, my surgeon is at the hospital that is the focal point for Covid-19 cases in a city that’s one of the hardest hit. They send all the critical cases from other community hospitals in the surrounding counties there. So no, I was not going to the darned ER!
I tried everything. I did the stomach massage, heating pad, increased fluids, drank more hot tea, coffee and carbonated water than I care to remember, stopped eating, even took a few mild laxatives, even though everything I read said that might not be a great idea.
After vomiting once, I decided that I might just have to go to Corona central after all. I took the max dose of senna, continued everything I listed earlier, and took a teaspoon of warm coconut oil followed by more hot tea. I think the last thing finally got things moving for me, as I finally got a decent amount of output and gas after an hour or two, and the pain and distended stomach resolved a bit. It took another day to feel back to normal.
What I learned. Even with a colostomy, you have to be very careful about what you eat. I ate popcorn. I love real popcorn popped on a stove or open fire, and I decided that it would be okay to have a little. I used the smaller, hull-less kernels, which might have been okay if I hadn’t had salad, celery, and peanuts the same day. So I learned my lesson. I also learned that you are pretty much on your own to figure out how to resolve a mild or partial blockage, and you are totally on your own to figure out when you absolutely have to go to the ER. It will be a long time before I ever try to eat popcorn again.
Final thoughts. I read several people used a bit of meat tenderizer mixed in water (followed immediately by hot water or tea) to break down the fibrous mass causing the problem. Then I remembered that pineapple also contains the same enzyme papain, so if I ever have this problem again, I’ll try a bit of fresh pineapple juice. Has that ever worked for anyone else?
I'm glad you got it resolved, but really hate that you had not support from your surgeon or stoma nurse. It's literally their job and you should not have had to put yourself at risk or figure it out on your own.
Pineapple does have some interesting enzymes, although, I'm not sure if they would be clinically significant in the case of an ostomy blockage. Definitely go easy on mixing those foods next time. From a fellow popcorn lover to another, enjoy! (but be careful!) =)
Vegan Ostomy Thanks! I got overconfident because I hadn’t had any problems at all for almost 9 months of having an ostomy, so it was an important lesson for me that I won’t forget. I did buy some fresh pineapple just to see if it makes a difference in maintaining regular output. It used to work pre-ostomy for my occasional gastroparesis, so it’s worth a try, just without the fibrous matter. I’ll let you know if it makes a difference.
I was really disappointed about the lack of support from my stoma nurse, to be honest. I had hoped she’d have some practical advice, but she was not willing to comment on even the simplest of suggestions you and many others have helpfully provided, so I very much appreciate your willingness to share your experiences.
I didn’t expect anything from my surgeon because they are located in a very large teaching hospital in a major city. The residents on call there almost never give you any practical advice because they don’t know you. The easiest thing for them to do is tell you always to go to the ER regardless of symptoms. Since they are on call in the hospital anyway, they figure they’ll see you there if you are worried enough about your condition.
Thank you so much for your practical advice. It saved me a great deal of hassle and potential exposure to covid-19. I owe you a vegetarian lunch if you are ever in my area. I make a great vegetarian shepherd’s pie.
@@pinkmonkeybird2644 I think our medical providers stay in their own area of expertise to avoid litigation or worse still because of the overreach of the AMA the Australian Medical Association here.
We are the worry because we reach out then share specific who, where, when, what and why then our providers are chastised for going out of their lane...you know like the lane-assist in the new digital cars. For good or not good Track and Trace is in all echelons of society...so our providers have to be circumspect in their dealings with their customers.
Though I do wish for more transparency across the board.
Right on with your advice. Plus, hot drinks help if they are caffeinated; research the benefits of caffeine and gut health.
I don't find that coffee gives me a laxative effect, but some people swear by it! Prune juice for me is 100% effective 😂
Yes, I think that movement is very helpful. Bending at the waist and also even just walking. This helps encourage loosening of the stuff. I was going to say peristalsis; I don't know if that's still a thing after- I mean you still have part of your intestines, right? It's a lot of like being constipated before the ostomy, for me. I was surprised to hear you warn against laxatives though. That probably is a good caution.
Peristalsis is still a thing! That's what causes our stomas to "squirm" at fairly regular intervals.
Laxatives are generally not recommended if there is a true blockage, as they can cause some serious complications. I would only suggest consulting with your doctor if you feel the need to use a laxative, but for partial blockages something water or prune juice/grape juice (whatever creates liquified output for you) is a safer option.
@@VeganOstomy Oh, that's what it's doing? It's such an odd fellow! Thanks tor your friendly/humourous answer.
What you say about laxatives makes sense. Water is usually my go-to "solvent". It can be hard to drink enough but it usually helps. Prune juice too. I've been pretty okay since I left the rehab 6 months ago. I have some laxatives in my cabinet from before and I was wondering about them, but I haven't felt the need for any and if I do in the future, I guess I'll avoid them! Unless a doctor says otherwise. I only had one rally bad day, about 2 months ago; got through it though and no hospital or doctor visit. I'm not sure What I had eaten: maybe an entire head of Iceberg lettuce? You'd think that would have the opposite effect. - It's the gas, the gas that can be the real killer. That particular pain makes me instantly nauseous. I guess that's what laxatives might do, which would be bad. Anyhow thanks for replying, you're a beacon to Ostomates everywhere - and even if a video is older, there are still people new to the experience, so how nice of you to keep reading/answering comments.
@@cockeyedoptimista Gas pains are the worst. Have you tried something like "Gas-X", which breaks up the gas bubbles to make them easier to pass. It does not get rid of gas, just makes it more tolerable if it causes pain.
I was staying with my cousin in London when I had my first real blockage (about 2/3hours away from home)!! Had to take a bus, a tube & a train to get home then my mom drove me to hospital! Not a nice experience! My output was like water and my stoma retracted? Was very painful! Drank lots and lots of water and eventually it cleared itself.. Before the doctor had seen me! I totally agree chewing and eating slowly are essential!!
+kateellenberry That sounds like a horrible experience! Every time I have a retracted stoma, I know I need to be on high alert! It's a great early warning system, that's for sure!
Glad the water cleared things up!
It's difficult in this eat and go society! When I was young you'd never see anyone eating "on the hoof", it was considered extremely impolite. Meals took longer too, with lots of talking and resting during a course. I think the population in general would have less digestive problems if we went back to socialising more over meals. Interestingly, there are less bowel problems in countries like France and Italy where they can take a couple of hours over a meal, but as they are getting more and more into the fast food way things are changing there. "Fast Food" should be a no-no to everybody, not just because of content but the FAST bit too! As a 20 year ileostomate of 65 and having had Crohn's for 35 years I have had to learn to eat and chew slowly and believe me, it's not always easy in this day and age.
Thanks man I'm posed to be having surgery June 7th on ostomy thanks bro
thank you , have been irrigating for 15 years, the every 18 months partial blockage is always due to everything you've mentioned,
Thanks for watching, David.
P.s. I have started to use a heat bag ( one of those things you put in the microwave to warm up), I put it on my stomach and now and then will gently rub my belly. This helps a bit :)
Heating bags are a great alternative to warm baths!
Thank you so much your videos are very helpful. I had my 1st partial blockage and stretching helped me out .
I hope it wasn't too bad, David. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for all your good advice.
You're welcome 😀
Just to thank you for your videos ,they help me,to understand my stoma ,l,m new to it,been 4 months now .
Thanks for watching! Best to you!
Thank You so much for Honest to the point information 🙏🏽
Thanks for the tips my love one is in the hospital right now for bowel obstruction wish I would have saw this video sooner but it will truly help in the future
I wish your loved one well.
Watching this from a hospital room. Great info.
Thanks for the information I been having trouble with it for 5 years now
Best of luck 🤞
Great information I think we are almost at the point where we have to hospital.
Good luck with everything, Nancy. 🤞
Wow…I got chemotherapy on a Tuesday. I usually get constipated for a couple of days so I pay no mind. But the system stayed shut down until Saturday and when I gobbled down three slices of pizza…barf! Into the tub. I was lucky somehow and my system was back on line Sunday morning. THANKS for this info! Apparently I was very lucky. That NG tube may still be in my future someday but I’m going to be way careful now. I’ve got my backyard garden in and I plant two sweet corn patches two weeks apart so I can have more. I will be chewing slowly! I will probably need to put a sign by my kitchen table lol…it’s so easy to forget and go full speed. The NG experience is probably one that never leaves you so….maybe it’s the kitchen table caution sign for me…these doctors never tell you this stuff either…what the heck? I’ve also read that I should be drinking gatorade to help me when I’m working outdoors in the garden and heat because I am not the same now that I’ve had a colon resection. Thanks again. I am learning!
Thanks to have you.
I had regular blockages when I first got my stoma and was still figuring out what foods I can and can’t eat and for years after that I was fine, but suddenly this year I’ve had 3 blockages - two of them major and causing me to vomit and miss a day or two of school - and it’s really just the worst. I don’t like telling my friends I was off school for a “stomach ache” (I’ve never even considered going to a hospital to treat a blockage whoops) but there’s not much else I can say to them except that it feels like there’s a creature tryna rip it’s way out of your abdomen lmao. Anyways great video, very accurate and looking forward to my next inevitable blockage! (Not)
Hi Laura, I'm sorry to hear about these blockages! Does your surgeon think it's caused by food or is it mechanical (like a stricture)? Blockages suck so much, so I hate that you have to go through that.
Vegan Ostomy it’s definitely caused by food it’s just strange that after years of no trouble at all and not changing my diet, certain foods have recently been causing random blockages - but only as one offs. Guess it’s just a case of bad luck haha
That is a little strange and unfortunate. I really hope it doesn't happen again!
I'm waiting to have my ileostomy and I've got a blockage and bad Crohns at the moment...not pleasant. The chewing thing is so right :)
+BevsArtsandCrafts I also had obstructions before my ostomy (which lead to vomiting or dry heaving pretty much all day, everyday). At least with the ileostomy, I have more control over things, since my "plumbing" isn't swollen and inflamed.
+Vegan Ostomy that's what I'm hoping for :) blockages are no fun. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach all day :/
Great information Eric.
+Gloria Valdes-Lazart Thanks!
Fleet enema. I've had frequent blockage since my ostomy operation three months ago. Miralax didn't work. Milk of Magnesia tended to elicit vomit. My problem is hard, small stools tend to form. Fleet enema always gets things going.
I have to lay down; when standing up, the Fleet liquid immediately runs out. I've only used the Saline Fleet. There is a Bisacodyl Fleet which I have no experience with. (Yes, Fleet is put into the Stoma.)
Since I started a nightly routine of taking 1 tablet Sienna-S with 2 tabs Dulcolax, I've not needed Fleet enema (as of this writing).
Sage advice.
¿Como puedo evitar que se retraiga (qué se invagine)el estóma ?
Thank you for your videos ,they help
Thank you for watching them 😊
This video is especially relevant to me now that I started taking an antibiotic for bladder stones and the label said that the pills can cause constipation, could that lead to a blockage?
I know this is probably something I should've discussed with my doctor but .... She only told me that my pills would cause dehydration, not constipation, much less how to deal with constipation with an ileostomy.
Thanks, you are so helpful
Than you for sharing your first hand knowledge.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Very informative, thankyou for this vlog.
Glad it was helpful!
This is a wonderful news about blockage.
Thank God i do chew my food to the maximum.
My problem is that I eat lots of gaseous food like burritos with beans and corn tortillas...how can I reduce the loud and repeated farting comes throughout the day? Muchisimas gracias a todos..
Loud gas is a challenge, because it's a mechanical problem. If you can catch it in time, you can place your hand over your stoma to muffle/eliminate the fart sound. I know there are products you can wear that can help with this, but I haven't tried them myself. Another option is to use something like Gas-X to break down the gas in your body, so it's not as forceful when exiting. If you find that certain foods cause excess gas, you may even be able to take an enzyme product with meals. Good luck!
Great video. Thank you for the information.
Thanks for watching!
I'd also like to apologize for not taking your advice about not using laxatives while I was trying to deal with my most recent blockage before being hospitalized.... I didn't think a tsp of polyethylene glycol was so powerful.
😮😮😮 Oh, oh. A lesson learned, right?
Awsome Eric thank you so much for sharing
You are welcome!
I am lucky not to have had a blockage yet, but I think I came close. I've had some of the feelings that are described by you and the comments so now I know what those feelings are. I do notice that when I do some bending over I poop. Especially when I have the bag off to clean it and I forget to cover it :( I also was surprised to see raw fruit on the list. Thanks again for all your tips.
Yes, bending over tends to push things through for me too. When I do a bag change I will always hang a "kitchen catcher" bag off my waistband to catch anything that comes out of my stoma.
Thank you!
I find that drinking warm to hot water with my meals food passes easier. When I have cold water it coagulates the food and it wont pass as fast. I have stopped drinking anything cold.
Warm water has been known to get things moving! Glad it helps you!
My diet actually is fairly restricted if I want to avoid stool that's too thick or too watery, which is one of the many many reasons that I'm definitely getting an ostomy reversal if possible, to put it bluntly.... I can't take it anymore.
If you do get one, good luck with your reversal!
There's always chances of blockages even when reversed. Scar tissue adhesions. But I can understand the desire for a reversal. Good luck.
Thank you.
Hahaha god NG tubes truly are the worst. The first two to three years after my ileostomy consisted of monthly sometimes even weekly trips to the ER because of blockages. I gotta say though an NG tube is a lot less painful than a blockage. Thankfully it's been a couple years since I've had to go to the ER for a blockage. I've found what helps me the most is laying down and putting my knees to my chest back and forth, ill get up and walk a lot to help the blockage pass, sometimes chewing gum can help activate your intestines and help a blockage as well, and sometimes even a hot cup of tea will do the trick but it's possible you may vomit it back up. Nice video by the way, take care!
+Josh J Les painful if you've got a nurse who knows what they're doing! LOL The first thing my nurse said to me was: "Your my first patient I've done this to" and then proceeded to try SEVERAL TIMES to insert to tube down my nose... horrible experience that I never want to repeat!
I hope you're doing alright now =)
Vegan Ostomy Ouch I know exactly what you mean haha, my first experience was horrible as well, I had two nurses trying to shove the tube down my nose, I probably puked a good 3-4 times and had a pretty bad nose bleed LOL. Things seem to be going well, hopefully going to be trying some new medications soon. Hope everything is going smooth for you.
+Josh J aaarrgh! I couldn't stop dry-heaving until they removed it a day later - every time I would talk it would be one word - gag - another word - near vomit... I totally learned my lesson!
Take care, and good luck with the new meds.
+Vegan Ostomy Yikess that sucks! Those things are super uncomfortable, it does help quite a bit if you tell them to use numbing throat spray before they place the tube though! Makes me not gag as much. Thanks! Take care!
+Josh J Great tip! Thanks.
THIS VIDEO IS SO HELPFUL ... THANKU.. I use all these methods.. 👍💩👍
Awesome. Glad to hear that 👏👐
Videos is helping me out it’s 3ock in the Moring think iv got a blockage so in a hot bath think it’s warking
Good luck, but please visit your local hospital if things get worse.
@@VeganOstomy i rang doc at 9. By 2 I was filling so mush better.
That's great to hear! Glad it passed.
Please fix me if you are home or around to help in this matter as you know things can get bad and I don,t want that thank you for your support and help
Thank You for your kindness. I tried to read everything they gave me. It's all brand new to us.. they gave me so much information in a short time but I told My Ole lady we can get it together. Again thx Man. I love you
Best of luck, Matthew! 👍👌
My best trick is to squeeze a saline enema in my stoma, wait 15 minutes and it starts to loosen and come out? Plus my doctor told me to use
miralax in my water everyday. I have never used the entire enema, half of it works fine. The miralax every day means loose stools, but it is so worth it. By the way I had my doctor put a NG tube down my throat into my stomach, it wasn’t as bad as everyone says?
Very helpful. Chew! Chew ! Chew! What about enzymes after a meal to help break up food and nourish the cells since I am not eating enough fruits & vegs due to their high fiber contests . I am 4 months new as a ileostomate. Had my 1st no joke blockage late Feb 2019 & NG tube was scary. Gr8 advice.
I don't recommend enzymes unless a doctor advises you to take them. Rather than avoid fruits and veg, have you considered preparing them differently? Perhaps blending, cooking, deskinning/deseeding, and juicing may be options worth looking at. Good luck!
@@VeganOstomy Thank you 4 the reply. And yes docs know I am taking enzymes & some fruits / vegs (banana / boiled carrots).
Thanks for Tips
heating pad or bath/shower. Try to be upright. Let gravity help.
Hey, You can digest potatoes? You have an ileostomy? Wow, I am impressed.
Yes, I eat potatoes all the time. With and without skins. Cook them thoroughly and chew a lot if you have the skin on. Putting cooked potatoes in the fridge and eating them as leftovers changes the starch and I find them to be even easier to digest like that.
I use to have a huge issue with chewing, I never chewed enough and almost choked every time I tried swallowing the food. In the hospital after recovering from surgery I was having my first meal in 6 months and I didn't chew well enough and had to stay in the hospital an additional weeks because I had a blockage
+Jess P Do you use any tricks that help you chew more throughly now? :)
+Vegan Ostomy at first, I counted my chews and it eventually became a habit :)
+Jess P I remember when I was a kid being told to chew "40 times"... not sure if there's a reason to, but I still catch myself doing it from time to time! LOL
Mushroom is my number 1 to avoid for me 2nd is coconut meat, and 3rd is peanuts, I can't avoid eating the peanuts i love them so much 😅
All of those foods are definately challenging. Chew, blend, cook, or avoid :)
That's a real shame, mushrooms and coconuts are mighty fine foods.... Especially Coconut water, that along with green tea is my magic sauce. 😉
I am a new ostomate....8 weeks out. I noticed sometimes that I don't have any output for 2-3 days. Does that mean I could have a blockage? No nausea or vomiting though. I have to say that before my stoma I wasn't regular either. A little nervous about it and should I be. Love all your video's...very informative.
Hi Karol, so you have a colostomy or ileostomy? How much do you eat during the day? Generally speaking, colostomies can be much slower and less frequent than an ileostomy and eating less (or even certain foods) can slow your output down as well. 2-3 days for a colostomy would be normal for many people but an ileostomy should produce output several times a day. Best to you 👍
@@VeganOstomy Hi Eric, Thank you for getting back to me soooo quickly. I have a colostomy ( sorry forgot to mention that before). Yes, I do not eat as much as I use to cause I haven't got my appetite back to normal ...which is a good thing I think...lol ( love to eat). You pointing out about how colostomy can work has set my mind & nerves at ease. Keep up the wonderful work/ information you are providing for us...much appreciated. Thank you,thank you.🤗👍
My pleasure! Have a wonderful day.
Thank you❤
You're welcome 😊
I have 2 ?'s. I love eating sandwiches, salads r these high risk 4 blockages since I used 2 have colon restrictions/constipation all the time b4 my ostomy? How long is hospital stay when u get a blockage & is it same care 4 partial ( having a hard time understanding partial blockages). Any opinion will b honored.
I've written about my hospital experience after a blockage here : www.veganostomy.ca/blockages-fool-me-twice-shame-on-me/ You'll definitely want to avoid them if you can.
A partial blockage can often be resolved at home, but it can quickly turn into a full blockage if you aren't careful and I honestly don't suggest trying to treat it yourself unless you have the experience to.
Because of you past history, it sounds like you'll want to be extra careful. I'd suggest speaking with your stoma nurse and a dietitian if you have access to one. With their help, you should be able to nail down a plan of action to prevent blockages.
I’ve had SEVERAL blockages, and I also HATE the dreaded NG tube!!
Sadly for me, it doesn’t seem to matter what food I eat, it’s so annoying!!
I've had a blockage once but I didn't need an NG tube, but I have had NG tubes quite a few times in my life, and once they took it out, my nose started bleeding 🙁
That was when I had colostridium difficile or *C diff* for short, after my ostomy surgery.... It was terrible
hello and how are you doing now? i have blockage as well so very often .
Also,is it ok for him to put a warm compress on his illiostomy stoma?he has a pancreatic. Cyst and this was the only thing we could think of to disolve the mucus
A stoma nurse would be advised to assess the cyst and direct you on treatment or management options. I wish you both the best.
Thanks for the tips. Having a bag is a daily struggle. 😥
It gets easier! Hang in there :)
+ Everfree Brumby Yes, hang on in there. Just think that life With a bag is better than no life at all and you'll feel empowered once it gets like second nature and you'll feel sorry for people who have to keep rushing to the lavatory like I did for 15 years before I got my ileostomy 20 years ago. I can't imagine life without "Bagatha" now and although I've had mishaps along the way, I can look back and have a wee giggle now. It's not the end of the World, it's the start of a new and better life, honest....
Vegan Ostomy You help make it easier with these videos! Thank you again.
I know exactly how you feel, and I think it's a sad fact of life that taking care of an ostomy is NO WALK IN THE PARK!
I have the same fear of an ng tube, just no fun.
Lol, I dodged a serious bullet today when I ate a handful of macadamia nuts this afternoon.... I knew I had chewed them as well as I possibly could but when I started to get mild cramps I was really worried, but I **THINK** it was just PMS, something you thankfully don't have to deal with.
One trick that you might find helpful when eating nuts is to soak them in clean water overnight. It makes them soft and much easier to chew/digest. This works really well with almonds, but should work the same with pretty much any nut. Just soak the amount you plan to eat the next day, as I don't think they would stay fresh for very long after soaking.
Find the point which turns into the stoma and keep pressing
Lie on a your back and help spread the block
I have experienced upper abdominal pains n not passing stool. I have a colostomy but like the doctor gives laxatives but then the next day same issue. I cannot even eat coz my tummy is full even taking water is difficult. Please help me
I'm sorry that you have those pains. Your doctor needs to explore this further. Is it possible that you are constipated, which would be common. A stool softener might be more useful, but again, that's up to your doctor to determine. It's never ideal to guess when pain is present. Best of luck.
Eric I love all your videos. I had a J--Pouch fitted 17 years ago but due to on going problems and spending most of the day & night on the loo I have made the decision to go to a APR complete Ileostomy. after watching your videos I have decided to for for a two piece Colorplast bag. I hope you start up again and that you see my comment to you.
Thank you Eric Regards IGGIE
Good luck with everything, Iggie!
This is mostly a problem with ileostomys not colostomy mostly with people who have a large section or their entire colon removed which is the majority of patients I have never followed any of this info with my colostomy and I have never had one (knock on wood) but when I had my surgery nothing was removed and I still have everything in there because i didn't have IBD or damage to colon etc I just had fecal incontinence due to a birth defect similar to someone following rectal cancer surgery except not cancer (thankfully)
It's definitely more common with ileostomies (about 4x more), but colostomates can still run into issues with blockages, as I've heard from some who've had problems. I'm glad that you haven't had any problems with blockages!
@@VeganOstomy Thx very much I have a diversion or sigmoid colostomy which means my whole small bowel is being used and about 80% of my colon is being used probably the people you've heard from are people with a ascending or loop colostomy where only a small part of their colon is being used
This. Is. Cool. Info. Thank. U. 😍
😊😊
Ostomates need MORE water than the average person. Typically, people need the number of ounces of water that is the same number as 1/2 their weight. Ostomates should probably drink 2/3 - 3/4 of their weight. I have had several blockages (was every 3 months for a while). I have had an NG tube 3x ... but it was so painful that I couldn't move at all with the tube in. It turns out that my blockages resolve with water. They always want me npo in the hospital, but since I have to take benadryl every 4 hours, the last time, they allowed me to take my benadryl with water. Didn't need the ng tube and it resolved itself overnight. I even got released from the hospital earlier than planned because I was doing great.
I'm sorry that you've had so many blockages. Do you have an ileostomy? How long since surgery. Ileostomates definitely do need more fluids than the average person, at least until the body adapts. This isn't as much of a concern for colostomates,but there's no harm in upping fluid intake.
Another thing I’ve discovered is a problem with carbonated drinks. So when I drink soda now, I pour it into a glass and stir it well, or I buy two liter bottles and loosen the caps so the soda goes flat before I drink it.
Some people have a really hard time with carbonated beverages. Thanks for sharing those tips 👍
If you've yet to take a hot bath when you've got issues, do it!!
Ostomy is stoma in the Netherlands. I know , blokkages is normal. Its not an ordinairy output a stoma. Pain !!!!!!! Yes !!!!!! Alles is dan verstopt. I use a kitchen machine to make good small little pieces.
I had my colectomy a little under two weeks ago. I was just eating some canned peaches, as recommended by the dietician, and as I started to chew, a large chunk of slimy peach slid down my throat and now I'm really nervous that I'll experience a blockage. Maybe the same sliminess that sent it down my throat will allow it to easily exit my stoma?
Do I just have to wait and see?
+MajorMink Canned peach shouldn't be a problem as it's pretty soft to begin with. If you had an ileostomy then I'd worry a tiny bit, but colostomies are less likely to plug up that easily.
Eric do you eat hummus? I miss it but am afraid to try it, for gas reasons or blockage reasons. I have an illistomoy like you do.
I love hummus! It's never given me any trouble. Gas may happen if you aren't used to eating high fiber foods, but tends to go away kpas the diet becomes more consistent. 😁👍
Ok. Answer this ! Everytime I change my bag I get constipated so why is that ?
Hey Johnny, Do you mean you're constipated before you change your bag or after? How long between bowel movements? Do you have a colostomy or ileostomy? Many variables to consider :)
Walk Walk Wall, lay on
The bed knees to chest curls. Warm heating pad. And sip fluids…..
I think i may have a partial blockage I have pain at the top of my stoma it's painful to touch to.
If you're having pain, you really should consult your physician, just to be on the safe side.
I'm a young man that has had surgical correction for rectal prolapse, and is now looking at having a colostomy due to strictures and nerve damage at the top of the rectum - leaving me with terrible constipation, bloating and spasming, although I have no diagnosed underlying disease and weren't an issue before surgery. DESPERATELY SEEKING ADVICE (from those medically trained or those with a stoma). I'm wondering how prevalent bloating (causing discomfort) and blockages are for people with a colostomy. Is this more to do with the underlying health condition or the ostomy surgery itself ? Of course this discomfort is the problem I'm trying to fix. Where and how do the obstructions tend to occur? at the stoma opening, or are there functional issues further up the bowel after surgery? Any background and any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Hello, these are great questions to ask you surgeon because they can provide an answer that's more appropriate for your situation. Bloating, blockages, discomfort could be normal for one individual or mean there's a problem for someone else. I can say that in my experience, there were more symptoms going on with my stoma than there are now. But it did take time to adjust. Best of luck to you.
Vegan Ostomy I really appreciate the advice, all of the problems seemed to be caused by first surgery, so hopefully this will solve it !
Vegan Ostomy are your symptoms manageable now, does it allow you to lead a comfortable life, or may I ask, do your symptoms impact how you live ?
I don't have any Crohn's related symptoms anymore. My ostomy has allowed me to live a very normal life.
I am having blockage for 4day n now I having cold sweat n cannot walk, I feel like fainted now any help
Oh, no! I think a visit to the ER is in order. Good luck.
Any advice on how to deal with random yet severe bouts of diarrhea without other symptoms!? Due to my chronic insomnia I typically go to sleep in the early hours of the morning and wake up **VERY** late in the afternoon so sometimes I don't eat enough, yesterday all I had was some sausages on a bun and an Arby's poutine and I to my knowledge I don't seem to have any food allergies so I have absolutely no idea what caused this bout of the runs that'll, probably keep me from sleeping..... BTW is diarrhea a valid reason to miss a day of school?
That sounds awful :(
Obviously, I'd suggest speaking with your doctor if this becomes disruptive to your daily living and school.
But I'd also suggest keeping a food diary to see if any patterns emerge as far as food types or time of day when this happens. If it's something you're eating, you may be able to identify it using the food diary. If your Dr suspects any food allergies, they may have you do a food allergy/intolerance test.
@Vegan Ostomy Good advice, though while I still have nothing other than mild cramping and it seems to be slowing down... My mother is now showing the same symptoms so I think it was just food poisoning or a bug.
☹️☹️☹️☹️☹️ I hope that you both feel better soon.
@Vegan Ostomy Thank you, and after a day of eating nothing but bland pasta with a little parmesan and feta cheese and drinking a bunch of green tea I'm feeling a lot better... But I think I'm going to play it safe and take at least one more day off just in case I get the runs again.
great vid :)
Thanks!
Kya bag utrny k bd insan thk ho jata h ya hmesha lga rehta ah
Hi just wanted to know something my husband had a blocked stoma and wanted to know after we got it go again was he still supposed to feel a bit of pain,discomfort in his tummy?
Yes, I've felt soreness for days after some blockages. But if it's really bad or going on for really long, he should talk to his doctor. Shortly after a blockage, I tend to take it easy with food, both in the digestibility and portion sizes. I wish your husband all the best.
@@VeganOstomy thanks very much and may God bless you and all your followers always. Thanks for the help on all your videos. You have helped us a lot
After I clear a blockage I feel bruised for a day or two. Also I have found that when I am blocked I need to start drinking water I large quantities. This helps flush everything out. After 45 years with an ileostomy I have learned a few things.
I have 2 paristomal hernias and a huge prolapse from a loop ileocolostomy. Is it still safe to massage? Abdominal adhesions can also cause blockages. Do you know how frequent they occur with abdominal adhesions, peristomal hernias and prolapses? Thank you for all of the great videos. They have helped me a lot! I was reading about how some exercises/massages are beneficial for the adhesions. It would be great if you made a video on that! Afraid to have more surgery and that can result in even more abdominal adhesions.
Massaging should still be fine (be gentle, though!). I'd have to research the numbers, but that could be an interesting topic! Take care!
Thank you!
So what did they do for you in the hospital to fix the blockage???
They actually had to stick a folly catheter into my stoma to clear out the blockage. I wrote about the experience here: www.veganostomy.ca/blockages-fool-me-twice-shame-on-me/
A few sneezing ,releases the block
What if the patient has few teeth and cannot chew well? Has colostomy.
Depending on their chewing ability, I'd probably consider blending food. Although, dental implants should be considered.
Getting a ng tube was one of the worst thing that ever happened in my life.No numbing,no medicine...I got the psycho nurse who likes to hurt people.
I wish there was an easy to get them done. That sounds horrible 😵
What is an N G tube..Sounds like absolute torture..
5:45 my stoma has always looked like what you described as a retracted stoma, is this normal, does a person's stoma size vary depending on they're age?
Hello, Lucy. I have had a colostomy since 2009 and it has always looked like the retracted stoma in the video. There are a couple of reasons why it could be this way. One is the result of the surgeon's technique and could even have been done that way on purpose. Another possibility is lack of muscle around the stoma or atrophy in the abdominal wall. I am a high level quadriplegic and have no use of my abs, so they are very weak and atrophied, which is the reason for mine being retracted. If you are having problems with leakage and have exhausted all other options, then your surgeon may suggest doing a revision. This will bring it to the surface so it is flush or even make it to protrude a little bit. So a retracted stoma may be somewhat uncommon, but is not an issue if it works for you.
Stoma size and shape may change for many reasons. But for me, it becomes retracted when I have a blockage. If your stoma is always flush or retracted, you may be able to use convex wafers to push it out a bit. That usually helps people with flush stomas. If you are having ongoing problems because of it, you may need to speak to your surgeon about a revision, but usually, it can be managed with convex wafers.
@@VeganOstomy Good point! A convex wafer is usually a good solution for a retracted stoma and I didn't even think to mention them. I guess I should've listed some options rather than putting "exhausted all other options".
Now, if there was only an easy solution to the problems that I am having with irrigation. It is so frustrating!
Hi. I’m scared to melt my bag off using a heating pad
Unless it's so hot that it burns your skin, I don't think it'll happen :) Warming your appliance may cause the adhesive to stick even better though! Massaging the area works the best for me.
Vegan Ostomy oh, ok. I thought differ3nt. Live n learn I guess lol