Wife scared to get colostomy, do all the side effects really happen?

I posted earlier about my problems after a colonoscopy. I might suggest a second opinion. What are they looking for. I had IBS for several years, diarrhea and constipated cycle. MiraLAX every nite, then positive cologuard test. Colonoscopy recommend at 83 years old. They didn’t find anything except hemorrhoids. 2weeks later in ER with dying colon that had to be removed. Now have a bag. Not trying to discourage, just pointing out I would want to know why and what are other alternatives. I was also on FODMAP diet for my IBS before all of this.

Hi Roger @logsdon and welcome to Connect.

Please keep in mind that what you read online in help forums is people who are having problems. It's really uncommon for someone to come on the forum and say "Everything is going great!" Which is too bad because if you look at the forums you get the impression that it is nothing but problems.

I have had my ileostomy for 24 years, and while I initially had some problems finding the appliance that worked for me, the last 23 years have pretty much been problem free. I swim, hike, lift weights, do yoga, and scuba dive. I do a lot of travel.

Well I had some leakage early on, I don't think I've had any for the last decade. I haven't had any severe skin irritation since the first 6 months when I was trying to figure out the appliance that worked for me.

I've experienced leakage due to a quality control issue in my appliance twice in the last 24 years. The manufacturer replaced everything both times. I had to change the sheets in the middle of the night. I have also forgotten to clip the bag properly once (it only took once, that was a mess).

I don't have any colon left, so I do occasionally get dehydrated, but it's never been severe, and I haven't been hospitalized for it. I don't think it's all that common with people who still have some colon left but I can't really speak to that.

I have never had recurrent pain the the anus (mine was removed).

Of course I still have Crohn's Disease, and I am on medication for that. I've had to have a stoma revision because of stenosis, abscesses and scaring; but that was a result of Crohn's disease. In absence of bowel disease, I don't really think that is very common.

Do you think that your wife's doctor, or a WOCN, can reach out to someone with a colostomy and a similar history that your wife can talk to?

Hello Roger, I think Susan F, Volunteer Mentor's last comment was the best of them all. If you can find someone with an ostomy for your wife to talk to, that will put a stop to her worries. You might even find a local ostomy group in your area. Home Health or whatever your community has can help.

As for the things which can go wrong... the ONLY ONE I have ever experienced is the leakage, but I imagine pretty much everyone experiences this one until they find the combination of bits and bobs which best suits them...and there is a huge selection out there to pick from.

All good wishes to your wife. I think most people are pleased that they've had an ostomy. It puts an end to much suffering.

I have had an ileostomy for 62 years and I can tell you that the products are so much better these days. I think the people with skin problems just haven’t found the right products. I haven’t had skin breakdown since the very early days.

Hello Roger, I got my colostomy in 2017, I was angry when I woke up with it, I did not expect it. BUT and that is a big word. It has been a miracle change in my health and my life got so much better because of it. It was not hard to get used to and grateful for after I accepted that I had to have it. They are really easy to care for and if done right then it is easy to learn how to take care of it and live a normal life. I am 79 now and it was done nine years ago. All I wanted to do was die.
I don't know your wife's condition but mine was so dire that I was in the hospital at least every month or every other month for over 30 years, My life was a constant fear of constipation, diarrhea and/or bowel obstructions and there was no way to control when they would happen my diet was not the problem. I hated that I would be out doing a social even and would poop myself for no reason. Or sick from what I ate. I can eat everything now. IF your wife has any questions I would be more than happy to help and talk to he.