Questions for young Crohnies with stomas?

[guest252]

20 years old, diagnosed with Crohns since the age of 16 and all treatment options have failed. Stoma/removal of large colon/rectum will be my next option. Looking for anyone about the same age with a Stoma or slightly older who can answer some questions.. Also Crohnies with Stomas in the field of Law Enforcement please contact me!!

 

[guest78]

Hey
I was diagnosed at 16 and am now 22, have had a stoma since June 6th 2013.
Feel free to get in touch!
xx

 

[guest252]

Thanks for replying GEC! Glad to know im not alone... by the way your Stoma was born on my 20th birthday lol. Would you mind if I message you?

 

[guest78]

Ah really! No problem at all.
Yeah of course, go ahead!
X

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Late 20's with stoma here. I have it for almost 2 months.

Sometimes I feel like the only young person with a bag.

 

[Jimena]

I am 28 and i have colostomy. Have it 3 months now. Doing fine with it

 

[fastfourier]

Mid twenties, ileostomy past couple months. I'm not law enforcement but I am regular military.

 

[Jeff D.]

I am 24 and have had my stoma for three years now. I am not in law enforcement but feel free to send me a message.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Curious how other young people handle the body image aspect. Obviously it would affect any age but we are more likely to look for a partner, be active etc and in that respect it's harder than when you are already settled.

 

[Nyx]

Curious how other young people handle the body image aspect. Obviously it would affect any age but we are more likely to look for a partner, be active etc and in that respect it's harder than when you are already settled.

I'm not sure that that's entirely true. There are a few of us who are older and dating. Now add into the mix gravity and wrinkles....lol

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Certainly Nyx I can't imagine its easy on anyone. I guess and maybe this is ageist of me and id likely think differently when I'm older but looks are more important to young people? Like when older its sort of expected that ppl have health issues, body changes etc. I hope that doesn't sound offensive and that I make sense.

 

[Ghost6574]

I have a stoma, and love it. It has helped me so much

 

[PsychoJane]

28 here. I got my stoma at the age of 14. Next month will be the celebration of "half my life" as an ostomate. I would dare to say I don't remember much of my life without. Feel free to message me if you'd like

 

[guest252]

Thanks so much for all the support and replies you guys are amazing. Id like to get to know abit of each of your stories so il message when I get the chance. And to nogutsnoglory I completely agree with you being young your much more paranoid and really care about your image that sometimes you will prioritize it over health which is why I wanted to ask the younger crohnies to see if anyone is going through this. We are a tough bunch and we go through alot so lots of respect to each and one of you!

 

[Nyx]

Alright, I'm going to seriously chime in now. I don't think it matters how old you are. On some level, everyone cares about their appearance and how they look to others whether they're single or not. I'm 43 and I still want to look sexy for my fiance - and no matter how much you camouflage the bag, you always know it's there. And until you get past that, you won't feel sexy. That's kind of harsh to say, but it really is true. When I first got my stoma, my fiance was of course very supportive, as it was keeping me alive. He always said "you're still the same person" and always told me that I'm beautiful. It's a very hard thing to accept that someone thinks you're hot with a bag of poo on your side...lol But, it's true. Our stoma's don't make us who we are. They're just part of the new package.

Hope this has been helpful in some way.

 

[Herndog]

I'm 38 and I still think I'm young haha! Got my stoma in Feb of this year! Feeling like I was in high school again! I've got a ton of energy.

 

[mflaum]

44 here and got my bag in February too. I have more strength and energy than in the past 10 years.

 

[guest252]

Hey hey youngins only thread
Only kidding... How long did you have to suffer before getting the bag? do you think there is an advantage of getting it at a younger age or keeping it to the last minute?

 

[mflaum]

I wish I did a lot of things younger. Career choices and having my kids. Deciding on an Ostomy was not really a road I wanted to go down. Unfortunately and fortunately, I had no choice.

I've had fistulas for over 10 years. Maybe closer to 15. Had I done something temporary 10 years ago, things might be different. Nonetheless, I do wish a doctor pressed harder earlier. It's been well worth toughness of the surgery. Life is much better.

 

[Herndog]

I never really suffered too much just an occasional flare up. Until last Oct then I was suffering and I was ready for surgery. So I guess you can say I kept it to the last minute. If you're suffering do it. I still do everything I use to do and maybe better. (my tennis game is anyway)