UOAA Discussion Board

I thought I had a blockage of my ileostomy and tried massage around my abdomen but all I seem to have done is to create soreness. (and no block after all, just gas)

Is it possible to create internal damage or bleeding or have I just been a bit over zealous? Stool seems very dark, an although I take iron tablets, I stopped for two days and still dark. (Although close examination suggests just dark brown, not black)

The soreness faded after a night's sleep, although still a bit tender at times.

I doubt you created a serious issue but if the stool remains dark by Monday, I'd call a GI doctor. Be sure to hydrate. Iron and other foods (greens) can cause the dark color. I use Vitron-C for iron -- easy to absorb, OTC (though pricey), and my GI doctor recommended it.

I'm actually seeing an acupuncturist due to severe scarring. I'd seen her fabulous work online... pretty incredible. I sometimes have soreness underneath (not visible) my scar where my colostomy and hernia were (now have an ileostomy). My GI doctor told me to massage the area with Vitamin E oil. That hasn't really helped much. The acupuncturist and I think the pain may be related to adhesions. Hard to know. Her acupuncture also helps with the pain -- but it usually returns. Unpredictable.

Good luck! Glad soreness faded.

Diane C.

2000 Malone Appendiceal Colon Enema (MACE) Procedure for Chronic, Severe Constipation/Distention
2002 Colostomy
2018 Removal of Colostomy, MACE, Rectum/Anus (due to diversion colitis and ongoing constipation despite irrigation); Ileostomy

Still dark but I have not been eating much that would have made it lighter either other than slight greenish tinge. Not black though. Have restarted my iron tablets. See the doctor next week anyway

I don’t think I’d wait a week for your persistent “very dark” stool particularly since this is a change. At the least I’d call the doctor. Regarding massage to relieve a blockage, I’ve had two hospitalizations for blockages. In both cases the surgeons did very aggressive manipulation to attempt to relieve the blockages. It worked in the first hospitalization. It did not in the second and a significant amount of both small and large intestine had to be removed.

Good luck,

Linda

Just discovered it could very much be the pills I was prescribed which I am now in the process of weaning off. This seems to have started about the same time. I am hoping to be done on Friday.