ISO: active (workout 90 min daily) ostomates for stoma question

[Brimeek]

Hi there!

My name is Bri, I'm 35, and I have a colostomy. I am really into fitness and sports, but have found this can be challenging with a stoma. If you are in the same boat, I would love to chat! For reference: I like to life weights, do HIIT training, and go for long runs.

Thank you in advance!

Bri Meek

[GeorgeS]

Hi Bri! I'm not young anymore but, I did run marathons and bike long distance. I tired to keep up the running and do now and then on a treadmill. It's mostly my lack of discipline that is getting in my way nowadays. The only issues I have had since my colotomy has been my self-conscious view of my belly in the gym. I have not gained the confidence yet to swim without a shirt despite not really hiding anything. I wear a wrap around my pouch most of the time outside of the home. So while swimming I'd probably wear the wrap even without the shirt since when the pouch gets wet, it shows the contents better even with the gray material around it. I'd worry any content might be evident; not clearly tho.

If you have specific questions, fire away. Sorry I'm not much help with being in shape; oval is a shape right!

[Brimeek]

Haha! Love the last statement! Oval is a shape:)

Thank you for all the information and sharing your experiences! I've just had some uncomfortable swelling of my stoma when I workout, like it grows into a muffin top type of shape. It doesn't prolapse - just swells, and grows bigger in diameter, and seems a bit strangled by the barrier. I've tried molding and cutting the barrier to allow a bit more space for stoma swelling during exercise, but when it's not swollen and I'm not exercising, poop gets on my uncovered skin (because I was creating more peristomal space). A surgeon said it could be my abdominal muscles contracting around the stoma when I'm working out, causing it to be constricted.

Anyone experienced swelling of the stoma?

Bri

[GeorgeS]

My stoma swells similarly on occasion but, unsure I ever correlated it to exercise. I would look into constipation or dehydration as causing it to swell. Your stoma will move in and out as it tries to eject waste as you know. I would only cut a bigger hole only if the swelling is causing the stoma to bleed or your output is clearly having issues at that point of exit.

Consider using barrier rings or paste. I have tried nearly every brand and type except the moldable rope. Maybe even try this with the larger cut hole. Perhaps a barrier spray then barrier ring/paste and larger cut hole. It will turtle-neck out some but, that is normal with rings but lets the stoma do its thing swelling and all.

Keep us posted!

[Brimeek]

This is so helpful!!! Thank you, George! I am thinking about this constipation thought...I can see how that might cause it as well. Again, thank you.