Prolapsing Stoma

[Fizzifish]

I have had a Colostomy since September 2011 and since I got home it has been constantly prolapsed. I wear what I call the 'Dansac Big Boy' because it is huge and the stoma prolapse fills the top half of the bag. It is a loop colostomy and the bowel comes out about 6" in total. It will not be reversed anytime soon; perhaps never, so I have learned to live with it. I bought a small sturdy kids food bowl from the supermarket and wear that over the colostomy bag with the prolapsed stoma in. Then I wear a hernia belt over the top so that just enough of the bag hangs below for when I need to empty it. Occasionally when I am sleeping in bed I wake up to find that the stoma is back where it should be. This happens pretty rarely though unfortunately. When I need to change the bag, I do manage to push the prolapsed bowel back in fairly easily and everything seems to work ok. Does anyone else have a similar problem?

 

[Terriernut]

:yfaint: A surgeon can fix that for you! Its not unusual, but it IS unusual if someone has told you it cant be fixed! Doesnt even need general anethesia most of the time.

No NEED to live with it like that. And in fact, I recommend you get seen ASAP to get it sorted.

 

[Fizzifish]

How do they fix it and who says you dont need general anaesthetic?

 

[Terriernut]

We've had a few members here with that issue in the past. Ari for one. They did give him a relaxer and numbed him up. Then they pushed it back in.

If you dont want to be awake, GA is available. What I'm saying is, this can be fixed, and it isnt necessary a major surgery.

 

[Fizzifish]

erm.....I can push it back in myself, I do it every time I change my bag but it just comes right back out again. I believe the only way to permanently fix the issue is to resite the stoma and who is to say it won't prolapse all over again?

 

[Terriernut]

They can do more than just push it in. Have you shown the Dr's and stoma nurses?

If you have it happen repeatedly after being corrected by the surgeon, yes, they may have to re site your stoma. But, if you have it fixed at least you will have tried. It cant be a good thing to have this happen all the time!

 

[Fizzifish]

Yes I have shown the stoma nurses and I have told my surgeon when i went to see him and he didn't suggest a correction! Maybe i will go and see my GP and ask for a referral.

 

[Terriernut]

Damnation, the post code lottery continues! You gotta fight honey. Me too, I gotta fight for everything down here.

 

[Fizzifish]

Where in the UK are u?

 

[Terriernut]

Bedfordshire

 

[Misty-Eyed]

I agree with misty. There's no reason why you should have to put up with that! I would seriously go to your gp. It's unacceptable that they should let you carry on as you are. Good luck!

 

[hopeful]

My ileostomy is prolapsing - sometimes as much as 10 - 12 cm, other times it goes back to 3cm. Surgeon said he can fix it by cutting off the protruding part, but it is probable it will recur, so best to live with it if I can.

Anyone have experience to share?

 

[Fizzifish]

Hi, I am sorry that you are suffering from a prolapse. I too suffer from a double prolapse of my loop colostomy. It has prolapsed as much as 20cm but usually up to 15cm. I manage with it, although it is not ideal. A prolapse can be treated but is more than likely to come back again so I don't see the point, rather like you.

I manage it by wearing an upturned tin bowl over the stoma bag and securing it in place with a hernia belt whilst at work. I am trialling a new colostomy bag at the moment. It is a two piece from Convatec which has a stretchy oval shaped opening. I have found that the stoma still prolapses but finds it more difficult to push against the stretchy opening. Because of this I am able to wear a stoma protector and a narrow elasticated band at weekends rather than my large and bulky hernia belt and tin pot! How do you cope with your prolapse?