Pouching after blockage

[Elaine from IL]

I've had two ileostomy blockages within 4 months. The last was over a week ago and lasted nearly 24 hours. I did not go to the hospital because I thought it would resolve itself sooner. The one time I did go to the hospital (10 years ago), the surgeon told me I had so much scar tissue, adhesions, and hernias that he wouldn't attempt surgery. He said I needed to go somewhere, like the Cleveland Clinic, where they specialize in difficult cases .

I am still having some residual pain around the stoma. It may be a new hernia which developed and is hurting. I have a 5/8" stoma which is normally recessed, but now it looks like it's in a deep valley. I already use Eakin Slims and a Convex pouch. I can't get a flat seal with the Eakin seal. So far it hasn't leaked. But I don't feel very secure with the seal I have.

I'm a 24 year ileostomate. A long time ago I used to use Stomahesive paste. Would that help fill in the deep depression?

I really don't think this is urgent enough to bother the medical professionals during this coronavirus pandemic time. I am sheltering in place and I would really rather not go to a medical facility right now since I'm in the high risk group.

Any pouching suggestions would be helpful.

[steiconi]

Yowza, 24 hours of blockage. Ouch!

I'm in the "paste is a waste" camp. Have you tried cutting bits off an eakins ring and shaping it to fill the depression? You can shape it like clay, cut off bits and stick them back together. You can still use a full ring on top.

Good luck!

[To Dream a Dream]

Elaine: I'm an old timer (ileo since '77) & I have found over the years that once the major episode has subsided, warm liquids (no solid food just yet) can help quiet things down. Chamomile tea is helpful if you don't have an allergy (i.e.'hay fever.') Then progress the diet carefully to your normal.

I've also discovered that the ConvaTec moldable wafers have enough give to accommodate some stoma swelling during a blockage. If I'm not mistaken, I think they make a convex version as well. ConvaTec has ostomy nurses on staff that you might contact about the problem.

I respect your not wanting to bother the medical professionals at this time, but I do strongly suggest that you update your own GI support & ostomy nurse as to what you are experiencing. They can make an accurate assessment & advise you.

Please keep in touch with us on the board.
God bless!

[Elaine from IL]

Thank you steiconi and To Dream a Dream for your very helpful suggestions!

I used to adapt my Eakin seals with cut off pieces which worked well for me. Thanks for reminding me to try that.

And thanks for the info on the ConvaTec moldable wafers. I'll look into those. Calling the ConvaTec ostomy nurse is a great idea. I've done that before and they were quite helpful.

Bless you both!
Stay well!

[Diane C]

I REALLY do like Stomahesive strips for filling in spaces on my abdomen. Unfortunately, due to billing code error, one can't buy these WITH strips that you'd use to square off your wafer on the OUTSIDE. The billing code deems these are the same product. They are not. I also now save the material from wafers when I cut out the hole. I cut these in half and add them to gaps on my abdomen to use as filler. You can roll up the seals and apply them. Recently at the hospital, a nurse gave me a tip with paste. I'll start a new thread with that. It's pretty neat!

I had surgery due to scar tissue and adhesions. I was warned I'll probably need more due to blockages although that was not the reason this time. I had a urogyn infection that could not be discovered as the scar tissue and adhesions obscured the view in CT scans and MRIs. I'm not looking forward to more scar tissue -- and my last surgery was open -- with a hysterectomy to get rid of the source of the infection -- never found. There are some yoga positions, LIGHT massage, and even acupuncture that can help with scar tissue to some degree. So far, the scar tissue itself has not been painful.

You are a trooper! I'd welcome any advice that tells me a tough blockage is on the way. Not looking forward to it.... but have been through enough to have an idea of the symptoms... constipation, nausea, maybe blood. Have been there! Good luck!

[Elaine from IL]

Diane C,

Thank you for the tip on the Stomahesive strips. I've been using the same products for such a long time that I wasn't aware of the strips. I just checked into them and will give them a try.