skin infection around stoma

[Deb52]

I have been battling an infection around my stoma for the past 4 months. My doctor has had me on steroids, antibiotics and my stoma nurse has had me using cortizone powder on the skin.
Today he decided that our next move is to schedule surgery to move the stoma and clean up the infection. I really don't have the time to be laid up again and would really like some information if anyone has any for me.
Thanks so much.
Deb

[mistral88]

Hi deb

Have you had your surgery yet? noticed you have not been back. i hope you read this message.

If the docs and ET nurse cannot do something about the infection around your stoma and the doc has suggested surgery and it seems to be the only way to do something about it then i would do it if i where you. you do not want that infection to turn into something more serious.
now i know it is harder said then done and if u have a busy life and u think you do not have time for your health then something is wrong. if the docs are advising surgery is the only way then you must think about that instead of having more prob in the future.

i know this from experience as i have had to have my stoma moved once already. i had to have a revision done due to two very LARGE surface abdominal fistulas right next to my stoma. in fact i had one on either side of it. they where there for over year before they did something about it. i ended up having to travel two hours away to a specialist just for him to tell me the stoma needs to be moved before it gets to the point nothing can be done. he also told me i actually had crohns colitis instead of ulcerative colitis which was the diagnosis for 9 yrs as it was.

anyway.. i had the surgery less then a month later. i was laid up for 4 months. those fistulas where cleaned out and there where two big holes in my tummy and they had to heal from the inside out.

once they did heal i never had another prob again with fistulas. and the stoma is on my left side now.

when u have to deal with these things u have to be senseable. it is your body and your life... but when ya think about it ...if u want to avoid worse problems and live your life then it should be done.

this is just my experience. please do not take it as gospal. lol i hope everything turns out with you ok.

Danaé

P.S please be aware that i have a ileostomy and not a colostomy.

[Jason_D]

Hi There,

I havent got a lot of specific information for you, however I can tell you that stoma resiting/relocation is a very minor operation compared to what you have already had done to you surgically.

Its a couple of days in Hosp tops. Thats so long as its done via key hole surgery, which I see no reason why it cant be done that way for you.

Once surgically cleaned and treated your infection should soon be well on the way to recovery.

Good luck, hope it all goes well for you.

Buh bye now,

Jason D.
webmaster and colostomist.
www.ostomy.fsnet.co.uk