Living with a hidden disability, such as having a stoma, can make daily life more challenging because of the disability itself and also because it's difficult for others to recognise, acknowledge or understand the challenges faced.
Well, elimination of waste is a major body function and your elimination of waste has changed; in fact you need to wear a prosthetic device (ostomy appliance) to manage this change. You have a record of an impairment of a major body function, therefore you are protected by the provisions of the ADA.
If you have a temporary ileostomy you may need to pay for stoma bags. You can choose where you get the bags from and what type suits you. Your stoma nurse can give you more information about how to order the bags.
After a colostomy, you can expect to feel better and stronger each day. But you may get tired quickly at first. Your belly may be sore, and you will probably need pain medicine for a week or two. Your stoma will be swollen at first.
You can drink alcohol. However alcohol can cause dehydration, so make sure to drink enough water.
Lifting weights can put a strain on your healing tissues after your surgery. If you want to resume weight lifting, talk to your doctor or ostomy nurse about a binder or hernia prevention belt to support your abdomen while you lift. Sit-ups and crunches can be uncomfortable with an ostomy bag, also called a stoma bag.
Once home, avoid strenuous activities that could place a strain on your abdomen, such as lifting heavy objects. Your stoma nurse will give you advice about how soon you can go back to normal activities. At first you will pass wind through your stoma and then, usually within 2 or 3 days, you poo through it.
It's always a good idea to empty or change your stoma bag before you go to bed as it will help to prevent your bag from filling up too much overnight and disturbing your sleep. A full stoma bag is always at risk of leaking and that's not something you want to experience during the night.
Some common complications of stoma include poor siting, parastomal hernia (PH), prolapse, retraction, ischemia/necrosis, peristomal dermatologic problems, mucocutaneous separation, and pyoderma gangrenosum. Each will be discussed separately in further detail.
Losing weight can be difficult when you have a stoma. Many people gain unwanted weight following stoma surgery due to changes made to their diet in an effort to control their output.
All stoma products are considered medical essentials, so you are allowed to take them through security. Most airlines also offer extra luggage weight allowance of around 5kg, for free, you just have to call “Special Assistance” at least 48hours in advance.
In Australia around 50,000 people have a stoma. People with a stoma are referred to as 'ostomates'. The Stoma Appliance Scheme provides free stoma appliances and products to ostomates through stoma associations.
For those of us with a stoma and underlying medical conditions then PIP (Personal Independence Payment) may well be a thing that you may be able to claim. For those who aren't aware, PIP is a disability benefit that can be claimed even if you work. It is a benefit that is not means-tested.
Living with a stoma is a challenging situation for various reasons including uncontrolled gas passage through it, odor, diarrhea, and leakage around the stoma or appliance. It would take several months for the patients to adjust to this difficult time.
Having a stoma will not affect your driving ability, but it is wise to check with your motor insurer as policy conditions vary. If you find the seat belt is uncomfortable across your stoma try fitting a 'Klunk clip' device.
Signs of Stoma Problems
The stoma is no longer beefy red or pink but pale in appearance. The stoma is no longer moist in appearance but seems dry. Your stoma turns dark red, purple, or even black in color. Your stool from the stoma is always watery or diarrhea.
One major issue to watch out for with a stoma is the laxative effect of some chocolates. The caffeine and fibre within the chocolate can increase the rate of motility (which is the contraction of the muscles in the digestive tract that encourage bowel movements).
You can bathe or shower with or without wearing your pouching system. Normal exposure to air or water will not harm or enter your stoma. If you're showering without your pouch, remove the skin barrier too. Try to create a routine that coincides with when you're due for a pouch change.
Most people are well enough to leave hospital 3-10 days after the operation. It's important to avoid any strenuous activities at home that could place a strain on your abdomen, such as lifting heavy objects. Your stoma nurse will give you advice on resuming normal activities.
After ileoanal pouch surgery is complete, the temporary stoma is closed. Stool and gas will leave your body through your anus, as they did before surgery. At first, you will have more frequent bowel movements, up to 15 per day. You may have mild bowel control problems and may need to wake up from sleep to pass stool.
If you allow it to get too full, the weight of the stool may pull the pouch away from the skin. A person with an ileostomy will need to empty the pouch about five or six times in a 24-hour period. If you have a colostomy, you will need to empty the pouch two or three times in a 24-hour period.
Most doctors will give you a lifting restriction of 10 pounds to avoid hernias around your ostomy. If you participate in a contact sport such as football, wresting, or karate let your Page 2 ostomy nurse or your doctor know. You may require a support binder with a cover for your stoma.