Help my stoma has sucked itself back inside 😱

[MyStar86]

Hi, I’m really worried my stoma has sucked itself back inside so now it’s flat to my skin no dongle bit 😭 I don’t know why this happened I was in a lot of pain last night and naturally it’s sore but I changed it after my bath yesterday and it was fine but now today I changed it and it’s now not protruding anymore. I don’t understand what’s happening and I’m really worried…..I’m guessing this will now leave me open to leaks and things it still works fine but I’m really scared and confused why this has happened. I’ve contacted my stoma team but they take forever to reply and could be days so I wanted to reach out for help thank you Helen

[Dogbot]

Helen the first thing I would do is contact my doctor for an emergency appointment if not have you emailed the stoma nurse? , go to your nearest hospital and find the stoma nurse or A&E , but please get it checked out 💕💕.

Stay safe All

Dogbot 🐶🌈Dave

[MyStar86 in reply to Dogbot]

I have an ileostomy so it’s meant to stick out and it always has done so I don’t know why it’s decided to do this but I’ve contacted my stoma nurse who is sending me a belt I already use convex bags and barrier rings so I hope it doesn’t leak as ileostomies are much more watery output so being flat to the skin is not fun and it’s already gone very sore so I hope it pops back out again I really do thank you for your reply xx

[Dogbot in reply to MyStar86]

I have an ileostomy as well got mine in January 2020 so I’m with you,but I would still like you to get it checked out. It’s probably nothing at all but I’ve not heard of it before. Good luck from the wife and I 💕💕

[MyStar86 in reply to Dogbot]

I spoke to my stoma nurse and she said it’s totally normal when the bowel is working hard and thankfully it actually popped back out today so hopefully it will stay back out now. My stoma nurse is sending me some belt to clip on to it that can apparently help but she is calm about it and has heard of it lots of times the IA association also got back to me and said the same so that’s good I’m just glad it’s popped back out again as that was so scary 😧 but I’m happier and glad I kept calm as it was a worry but not a&e I knew my nurse would help she just takes her time as they are so busy xx

[Dogbot in reply to MyStar86]

Oh great news fantastic, well I’m glad you got a response from the nurse and also please you gave us all a bit of information on what the stoma can do 👍💕💕

[MyStar86 in reply to Dogbot]

I think mine got weakened as I had a biopsy taken from my stoma in July during my last surgery which had affected it and made it a lot harder when outputting so it makes eating anything with fibre in harder but I think that’s why it retracted as I had a meal with a lot of carrots and didn’t chew them enough so it was struggling to get them out and somehow retracted itself I have a feeling it will be in and out now till my surgery but hopefully once I get a new one it will be a lot stronger and I won’t be letting any more biopsies be take my bowels have been sliced and diced enough xx

[OldTed60]

I think perhaps it depends what kind of stoma you have - but mine is permanently flat and always has been. It sometimes sticks out a little when it’s active or warmer and retracts further when it’s cold. It also changes colour a little with heat or cold - like Raynaud’s which I suffer from as part of my condition. I use convex bags with small hard flanges and despite it being small and flat it doesn’t leak. But I make sure to place the bags with care and pushing down hard with warmest area of my hand - usually after having a hot bath or shower and use barrier spray to help it stick. I have a loop colostomy. I think ileostomy’s are supposed to be elevated but not so much colostomy’s

[MyStar86 in reply to OldTed60]

I have an ileostomy so it’s meant to stick out and it always has done so I don’t know why it’s decided to do this but I’ve contacted my stoma nurse who is sending me a belt I already use convex bags and barrier rings so I hope it doesn’t leak as ileostomies are much more watery output so being flat to the skin is not fun and it’s already gone very sore so I hope it pops back out again I really do thank you for your reply xx

[OldTed60 in reply to MyStar86]

I hope yours pops back out again too. I know that ileostomy output is typically more liquid but actually my colostomy output is very liquid too because I have slow transit so rely on powerful laxatives. This and bile malabsorption were were the reason my surgeon refused to give me an ileostomy as she felt it too dangerous. I still don’t leak much at all but my skin is very dry so the bags stick hard and I’m always aware that things might change.