Stoma is painful and sore when touched

[nogutsnoglory]

From everything I have read the stoma has no nerve endings. It doesn't hurt when I clean it but if my sweats rub against it I'm in pain. I'm walking around with my bag hanging out of my pants which is lovely. I have to hide it with company but it hurts even if I pull them low or really high. Any idea what's going on? Maybe its normal post-op?

 

[PsychoJane]

Hmmm.... I know it is not suppose to have nerve but I can tell you it can end up hurting.

Here are the two things that comes to my mind for you to check:

1- do you have irritation around your stoma, like 1-2 mm of really irritated skin pretty much at the connection between the stoma and the skin. I know that when that part is inflamed on me, the fact that the stoma moves (digesting, clothing, etc) makes that skin move too and sometimes... this hurts.

2- do you have some major "cut" on your stoma. I know this sounds odd to ask but for instance. When I caught the darn traveler diarrhea 2 weeks ago, my whole digestive tube got swollen, the stoma was too big for my flange, it got hurt as the baseplate kinda created a dent in the side of my stoma. I guess it was deep enough to create major discomfort while I was wearing my clothes because it would still rub at some point when I was moving.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Thanks for your response. I don't have either of those. Minor skin "rash" ish but nothing too distressing and its the whole area of the bag.

I wonder if its not the stoma itself but the slight pressure being put on it causing pain inside. My guts are probably not healed yet from surgery.

 

[PsychoJane]

When did you get surgery? I think I was away at that point ...
It can also be the site healing. That would be logical!

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Surgery was a little over 2 weeks ago.

 

[guest78]

I had pain like this for weeks after my surgery. I found it wasnt the actual stoma hurting but almost under it or that area. Hard to describe!
I couldnt wear anything over the top if it was tight fitting like tights or trousers.
It soon went though!

 

[annawato]

The stoma has no nerve endings so shouldn't feel anything but I swear when I can feel stuff come out of it if its under any sort of pressure or anything large. Must be the skin around it I guess.
I was jsut thinking too about the leaks you've been having. Is the skin under your wafer very sore and weepy? If it is weepy this could affect the adhesion. Good old mercurochrome will help fix and dry out the area. Just don't use for too long as it contains mercury, but its safe for a short time.
:heart: anna

 

[Gra]

I also get pain occasionaly in the stoma or the area around it. I told my surgeon but he seems unconcerned about it so I assume that it is not unusual.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Skin is red and a little rashy but generally ok. I totally feel the pressure and gas pains when poop comes out of my stoma.

 

[Nyx]

I have feeling in mine for sure. I can feel when it's active, especially when it's expanding and contracting (especially the contracting part). I found it really sensitive right after my surgery and found that that lasted about a month or so.

 

[2thFairy]

I'm like you, Nyx. I feel all movement, especially the contracting. It can be painful sometimes, but it's normal for me.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Do you guys get nauseous during output?

 

[TacoTuesday]

I just ordered one of these guard things, I have a pretty physical job and figured it would not hurt to have something like this for protection.
http://www.stomaplex.com/

Just got it in so cant really review it but it seems pretty good.
Might want to check it out if you have insurance that will cover belts.

 

[2thFairy]

I just ordered one of these guard things, I have a pretty physical job and figured it would not hurt to have something like this for protection.
http://www.stomaplex.com/

Just got it in so cant really review it but it seems pretty good.
Might want to check it out if you have insurance that will cover belts.

I bought one a few months ago. I haven't yet worn it other than a few hours at home just to try it out, but I did like it. One of our forum members has one and made a testimonial video on their website. She loves hers!

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I was looking at those stoma guards. There are a few and I'm not sure how helpful they are. I also doubt insurance will reimburse.

 

[PsychoJane]

Oh boy, I thought the stomaplex thing protector was not cheaper than that... but it seems well conceived.