Colostomy bleeding

eibod
eibod Member Posts: 160
Husbands colostomy bleeds so much that it makes the pouch keep slipping. Wondered if anyone else has had this, what did your dr do to make it stop? He has had a colostomy since January. Has tried to adjust to it, but the bleeding drives him nuts. They have
cauterized it, and stitched it over and over. The surgeon says they may have to do outpatient surgery and recut the skin around it. (don't know what that means)
Has just been put back on chemo, avastin and neulasta. Also radiation to start Monday,
mornings and afternoons. How does a body handle all of this? Has been so sick this week,
slept for 4 days, lost 10 pounds in 6 days. Been to hospital every day this week for fluids, Tuesday thought the port catheter had "broken" and sent him for xrays. Found it was
ok but membrane had grown over it. He is so tired and depressed he cried. I don't know what else to do but try and be positive. Am afraid to leave to go back to work, he has been getting so dizzy when he stands. I of course think that is
because he is weak, but keep getting scared that it means ca has gotten worse.
Helps reading this board, keeps me from feeling so alone.

Comments

  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Sorry
    He's probably weak because of loss of blood. I'm so sorry this is happening! It sounds like the outpatient surgery might be the way to go. He needs to get that bleeding stopped, so he can start feeling stronger.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    eibod -

    Re:
    "colostomy bleeds so much that it makes the pouch keep slipping."

    The part of the intestine that protrudes from the skin, is called a "stoma".
    The area around the stoma is the "peristomal" area.

    Is the stoma bleeding, or is the peristomal area bleeding?

    Does the stoma protrude from the skin's surface, is it level to the
    surface, or is it slightly below the surface?

    I'll try to help, but more info is needed!

    Stay well,

    John
  • eibod
    eibod Member Posts: 160
    John23 said:

    eibod -

    Re:
    "colostomy bleeds so much that it makes the pouch keep slipping."

    The part of the intestine that protrudes from the skin, is called a "stoma".
    The area around the stoma is the "peristomal" area.

    Is the stoma bleeding, or is the peristomal area bleeding?

    Does the stoma protrude from the skin's surface, is it level to the
    surface, or is it slightly below the surface?

    I'll try to help, but more info is needed!

    Stay well,

    John

    John, sorry for not being
    John, sorry for not being more exact. It is the peristomal area that
    continues to bleed. There doesn't seem to be any bleeding coming from
    the stoma itself. According to the dr there are no major arteries etc
    in that area, so is not dangerous. But they do need to stop it.
    Thanks, Brenda
  • marqimark
    marqimark Member Posts: 242 Member
    Not fair
    I am sorry that your husband is doing so badly at his time.

    Not fair to have complications on top of all the other harsh treatments he has to endure to try to combat his CRC.

    Prayers to you and your husband

    Mark
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    eibod said:

    John, sorry for not being
    John, sorry for not being more exact. It is the peristomal area that
    continues to bleed. There doesn't seem to be any bleeding coming from
    the stoma itself. According to the dr there are no major arteries etc
    in that area, so is not dangerous. But they do need to stop it.
    Thanks, Brenda

    Brenda -


    I hate to sound presumptuous, or condescending, so if what
    I type out is what you already know and have tried, please
    excuse the data.....

    1. Use only warm/hot water to wash the peristomal area. Do not
    ever use soap of any type, to wash the peristomal area.

    2. Use a wash towel that has not been washed or dried with
    any soap product, or fabric softener.

    3. Use paper towels to dry the peristomal area. Cloth toweling,
    paper tissues, toilet paper, etc, all have chemicals that leave
    a residue; paper towels usually do not.

    4. Never use any adhesive remover, tape remover, etc on or
    near the peristomal area. They all leave a residue that is near
    impossible to remove fully.

    5. Use -no- topical dressings, skin prep, etc on the peristomal area.

    6. Use -no- topical dressings, skin prep, etc on the peristomal area.

    (I typed that twice for a reason)

    7. To heal a sore area in the peristomal area, use Convetec's
    "Stomahesive Powder". Use it by itself; DO NOT use any
    other topical dressing or skin prep under or over the Convetec
    Stomahesive Powder. The powder was designed to be used
    by itself. It will "crust up" on the weeping or wet areas.

    Dab the powder on the sore areas, and lightly brush off the
    excess powder from the areas where it is not needed. The
    appliance will adhere to the powder and skin, and the sore
    will usually heal overnight.

    8. The appliance's hole for the stoma should be cut and fitted
    as snugly to the stoma as possible. There should be absolutely
    no skin exposed around the stoma to appliance base.

    9. If the stoma does not protrude at least 3/4" from the skin,
    if it is even with the skin, or below the skin's surface, you should
    try using a convex appliance. The base of a convex appliance
    bulges outward at it's base (into the skin) and presses down
    against the peristomal area, pushing the stoma out and into the
    pouch. That helps prevent seepage under the appliance, and
    provides a better seal.

    10. Use an Ostomy belt to help hold the appliance to the skin.

    11. Handle the appliance's adhesive areas by the edges, as you
    would handle a CD, or DVD. Oils from the skin (hands) can quickly
    deteriorate the adhesive qualities of the appliance.

    12. Do not use pastes or topical dressings on the peristomal area.
    Pastes are like spackle, it's used for filling creases an crevices,
    and will dissolve when wet.....it's useless as an adhesive.

    13. Place the appliance on the skin, and cup your hands around it,
    pressing the appliance against the skin tightly. The heat from the
    body will set the adhesive within 5 minutes. Body heat is all that
    is required, too much degrades the adhesive, too little will not
    allow it to set properly.

    Back in 2006, I suffered peristomal damage so severe, that one night
    I slept in the bathtub with a towel wrapped around me... I could not
    get anything to stay on, and all but one visiting nurse has given up trying
    to help. I found myself wishing I had died in the OR, rather than be
    subjected to the grief I was in with this damned stoma.

    I found that the manufacturers gave the correct methods for use,
    but the nurses and staff disregarded the information, and insisted
    on using methods they thought were better. I suffered for nine
    months, because some individuals can not follow basic instructions.

    The sore I had, expanded beyond the peristomal area and wept
    continuously, bleeding and causing pain. The weeping skin prevented
    anything from sticking to it, and the stoma's waste output just ate
    away at the skin, causing pain and infections.

    The problem was finally solved by first healing the immediate area.
    I used the "Tagaderm" plastic that is used for the "Wound-Vac"
    apparatus; cut a hole for the stoma.... put that "Stomahesive Powder"
    on the wounded area, put the plastic on top, and applied the appliance
    on top of that. The sore area was healed within two days!

    After that, the "Tagaderm" was no longer needed. I used the Stomahesive
    powder until the sore was completely gone, and only the appliance thereafter.

    The soap and water, the adhesive removers, the topical dressings, and
    the "skin soft" toweling, all were keeping the adhesives from doing their
    job. It allowed waste to get under the appliance, and dislodge it.

    I followed the above list, and had not had a problem I couldn't cure, since.

    I didn't "invent" those instructions, the manufacturers' did.

    If you do as listed and still have a problem, give me a yell....

    There are no problems that can't be solved! There's no reason
    to live in pain and anguish with a stoma!

    Best wishes,

    John
  • qwe
    qwe Member Posts: 124
    John23 said:

    Brenda -


    I hate to sound presumptuous, or condescending, so if what
    I type out is what you already know and have tried, please
    excuse the data.....

    1. Use only warm/hot water to wash the peristomal area. Do not
    ever use soap of any type, to wash the peristomal area.

    2. Use a wash towel that has not been washed or dried with
    any soap product, or fabric softener.

    3. Use paper towels to dry the peristomal area. Cloth toweling,
    paper tissues, toilet paper, etc, all have chemicals that leave
    a residue; paper towels usually do not.

    4. Never use any adhesive remover, tape remover, etc on or
    near the peristomal area. They all leave a residue that is near
    impossible to remove fully.

    5. Use -no- topical dressings, skin prep, etc on the peristomal area.

    6. Use -no- topical dressings, skin prep, etc on the peristomal area.

    (I typed that twice for a reason)

    7. To heal a sore area in the peristomal area, use Convetec's
    "Stomahesive Powder". Use it by itself; DO NOT use any
    other topical dressing or skin prep under or over the Convetec
    Stomahesive Powder. The powder was designed to be used
    by itself. It will "crust up" on the weeping or wet areas.

    Dab the powder on the sore areas, and lightly brush off the
    excess powder from the areas where it is not needed. The
    appliance will adhere to the powder and skin, and the sore
    will usually heal overnight.

    8. The appliance's hole for the stoma should be cut and fitted
    as snugly to the stoma as possible. There should be absolutely
    no skin exposed around the stoma to appliance base.

    9. If the stoma does not protrude at least 3/4" from the skin,
    if it is even with the skin, or below the skin's surface, you should
    try using a convex appliance. The base of a convex appliance
    bulges outward at it's base (into the skin) and presses down
    against the peristomal area, pushing the stoma out and into the
    pouch. That helps prevent seepage under the appliance, and
    provides a better seal.

    10. Use an Ostomy belt to help hold the appliance to the skin.

    11. Handle the appliance's adhesive areas by the edges, as you
    would handle a CD, or DVD. Oils from the skin (hands) can quickly
    deteriorate the adhesive qualities of the appliance.

    12. Do not use pastes or topical dressings on the peristomal area.
    Pastes are like spackle, it's used for filling creases an crevices,
    and will dissolve when wet.....it's useless as an adhesive.

    13. Place the appliance on the skin, and cup your hands around it,
    pressing the appliance against the skin tightly. The heat from the
    body will set the adhesive within 5 minutes. Body heat is all that
    is required, too much degrades the adhesive, too little will not
    allow it to set properly.

    Back in 2006, I suffered peristomal damage so severe, that one night
    I slept in the bathtub with a towel wrapped around me... I could not
    get anything to stay on, and all but one visiting nurse has given up trying
    to help. I found myself wishing I had died in the OR, rather than be
    subjected to the grief I was in with this damned stoma.

    I found that the manufacturers gave the correct methods for use,
    but the nurses and staff disregarded the information, and insisted
    on using methods they thought were better. I suffered for nine
    months, because some individuals can not follow basic instructions.

    The sore I had, expanded beyond the peristomal area and wept
    continuously, bleeding and causing pain. The weeping skin prevented
    anything from sticking to it, and the stoma's waste output just ate
    away at the skin, causing pain and infections.

    The problem was finally solved by first healing the immediate area.
    I used the "Tagaderm" plastic that is used for the "Wound-Vac"
    apparatus; cut a hole for the stoma.... put that "Stomahesive Powder"
    on the wounded area, put the plastic on top, and applied the appliance
    on top of that. The sore area was healed within two days!

    After that, the "Tagaderm" was no longer needed. I used the Stomahesive
    powder until the sore was completely gone, and only the appliance thereafter.

    The soap and water, the adhesive removers, the topical dressings, and
    the "skin soft" toweling, all were keeping the adhesives from doing their
    job. It allowed waste to get under the appliance, and dislodge it.

    I followed the above list, and had not had a problem I couldn't cure, since.

    I didn't "invent" those instructions, the manufacturers' did.

    If you do as listed and still have a problem, give me a yell....

    There are no problems that can't be solved! There's no reason
    to live in pain and anguish with a stoma!

    Best wishes,

    John

    WOW John you just told my
    WOW John you just told my story but my stoma was a inner below the skin and 4 surgery later I have a stoma that sticks out it is now above the belt line I went through the sores and all the things the nurses told me. I have a grove next to my stoma and they are using skin prep and stoma power and put a little stick past on it,so now I will tell them just stoma power thank you very much for sharing it helped me a lot
  • eibod
    eibod Member Posts: 160
    John23 said:

    Brenda -


    I hate to sound presumptuous, or condescending, so if what
    I type out is what you already know and have tried, please
    excuse the data.....

    1. Use only warm/hot water to wash the peristomal area. Do not
    ever use soap of any type, to wash the peristomal area.

    2. Use a wash towel that has not been washed or dried with
    any soap product, or fabric softener.

    3. Use paper towels to dry the peristomal area. Cloth toweling,
    paper tissues, toilet paper, etc, all have chemicals that leave
    a residue; paper towels usually do not.

    4. Never use any adhesive remover, tape remover, etc on or
    near the peristomal area. They all leave a residue that is near
    impossible to remove fully.

    5. Use -no- topical dressings, skin prep, etc on the peristomal area.

    6. Use -no- topical dressings, skin prep, etc on the peristomal area.

    (I typed that twice for a reason)

    7. To heal a sore area in the peristomal area, use Convetec's
    "Stomahesive Powder". Use it by itself; DO NOT use any
    other topical dressing or skin prep under or over the Convetec
    Stomahesive Powder. The powder was designed to be used
    by itself. It will "crust up" on the weeping or wet areas.

    Dab the powder on the sore areas, and lightly brush off the
    excess powder from the areas where it is not needed. The
    appliance will adhere to the powder and skin, and the sore
    will usually heal overnight.

    8. The appliance's hole for the stoma should be cut and fitted
    as snugly to the stoma as possible. There should be absolutely
    no skin exposed around the stoma to appliance base.

    9. If the stoma does not protrude at least 3/4" from the skin,
    if it is even with the skin, or below the skin's surface, you should
    try using a convex appliance. The base of a convex appliance
    bulges outward at it's base (into the skin) and presses down
    against the peristomal area, pushing the stoma out and into the
    pouch. That helps prevent seepage under the appliance, and
    provides a better seal.

    10. Use an Ostomy belt to help hold the appliance to the skin.

    11. Handle the appliance's adhesive areas by the edges, as you
    would handle a CD, or DVD. Oils from the skin (hands) can quickly
    deteriorate the adhesive qualities of the appliance.

    12. Do not use pastes or topical dressings on the peristomal area.
    Pastes are like spackle, it's used for filling creases an crevices,
    and will dissolve when wet.....it's useless as an adhesive.

    13. Place the appliance on the skin, and cup your hands around it,
    pressing the appliance against the skin tightly. The heat from the
    body will set the adhesive within 5 minutes. Body heat is all that
    is required, too much degrades the adhesive, too little will not
    allow it to set properly.

    Back in 2006, I suffered peristomal damage so severe, that one night
    I slept in the bathtub with a towel wrapped around me... I could not
    get anything to stay on, and all but one visiting nurse has given up trying
    to help. I found myself wishing I had died in the OR, rather than be
    subjected to the grief I was in with this damned stoma.

    I found that the manufacturers gave the correct methods for use,
    but the nurses and staff disregarded the information, and insisted
    on using methods they thought were better. I suffered for nine
    months, because some individuals can not follow basic instructions.

    The sore I had, expanded beyond the peristomal area and wept
    continuously, bleeding and causing pain. The weeping skin prevented
    anything from sticking to it, and the stoma's waste output just ate
    away at the skin, causing pain and infections.

    The problem was finally solved by first healing the immediate area.
    I used the "Tagaderm" plastic that is used for the "Wound-Vac"
    apparatus; cut a hole for the stoma.... put that "Stomahesive Powder"
    on the wounded area, put the plastic on top, and applied the appliance
    on top of that. The sore area was healed within two days!

    After that, the "Tagaderm" was no longer needed. I used the Stomahesive
    powder until the sore was completely gone, and only the appliance thereafter.

    The soap and water, the adhesive removers, the topical dressings, and
    the "skin soft" toweling, all were keeping the adhesives from doing their
    job. It allowed waste to get under the appliance, and dislodge it.

    I followed the above list, and had not had a problem I couldn't cure, since.

    I didn't "invent" those instructions, the manufacturers' did.

    If you do as listed and still have a problem, give me a yell....

    There are no problems that can't be solved! There's no reason
    to live in pain and anguish with a stoma!

    Best wishes,

    John

    John, wow...thanks for all
    John, wow...thanks for all of the good information. I have printed this for my husband,
    thank you so much for taking the time to give me this information, and thank you for
    caring. Everyone on this site is amazing!! Brenda
  • eibod
    eibod Member Posts: 160
    marqimark said:

    Not fair
    I am sorry that your husband is doing so badly at his time.

    Not fair to have complications on top of all the other harsh treatments he has to endure to try to combat his CRC.

    Prayers to you and your husband

    Mark

    Hi Mark, thanks for your
    Hi Mark, thanks for your prayers and thoughts. He is a little better this week end but
    starts the merry go round again tomorrow with radiation and chemo all week. Hopefully this time will be a little easier. Take care. Brenda
  • VickiCO
    VickiCO Member Posts: 917
    John23 said:

    Brenda -


    I hate to sound presumptuous, or condescending, so if what
    I type out is what you already know and have tried, please
    excuse the data.....

    1. Use only warm/hot water to wash the peristomal area. Do not
    ever use soap of any type, to wash the peristomal area.

    2. Use a wash towel that has not been washed or dried with
    any soap product, or fabric softener.

    3. Use paper towels to dry the peristomal area. Cloth toweling,
    paper tissues, toilet paper, etc, all have chemicals that leave
    a residue; paper towels usually do not.

    4. Never use any adhesive remover, tape remover, etc on or
    near the peristomal area. They all leave a residue that is near
    impossible to remove fully.

    5. Use -no- topical dressings, skin prep, etc on the peristomal area.

    6. Use -no- topical dressings, skin prep, etc on the peristomal area.

    (I typed that twice for a reason)

    7. To heal a sore area in the peristomal area, use Convetec's
    "Stomahesive Powder". Use it by itself; DO NOT use any
    other topical dressing or skin prep under or over the Convetec
    Stomahesive Powder. The powder was designed to be used
    by itself. It will "crust up" on the weeping or wet areas.

    Dab the powder on the sore areas, and lightly brush off the
    excess powder from the areas where it is not needed. The
    appliance will adhere to the powder and skin, and the sore
    will usually heal overnight.

    8. The appliance's hole for the stoma should be cut and fitted
    as snugly to the stoma as possible. There should be absolutely
    no skin exposed around the stoma to appliance base.

    9. If the stoma does not protrude at least 3/4" from the skin,
    if it is even with the skin, or below the skin's surface, you should
    try using a convex appliance. The base of a convex appliance
    bulges outward at it's base (into the skin) and presses down
    against the peristomal area, pushing the stoma out and into the
    pouch. That helps prevent seepage under the appliance, and
    provides a better seal.

    10. Use an Ostomy belt to help hold the appliance to the skin.

    11. Handle the appliance's adhesive areas by the edges, as you
    would handle a CD, or DVD. Oils from the skin (hands) can quickly
    deteriorate the adhesive qualities of the appliance.

    12. Do not use pastes or topical dressings on the peristomal area.
    Pastes are like spackle, it's used for filling creases an crevices,
    and will dissolve when wet.....it's useless as an adhesive.

    13. Place the appliance on the skin, and cup your hands around it,
    pressing the appliance against the skin tightly. The heat from the
    body will set the adhesive within 5 minutes. Body heat is all that
    is required, too much degrades the adhesive, too little will not
    allow it to set properly.

    Back in 2006, I suffered peristomal damage so severe, that one night
    I slept in the bathtub with a towel wrapped around me... I could not
    get anything to stay on, and all but one visiting nurse has given up trying
    to help. I found myself wishing I had died in the OR, rather than be
    subjected to the grief I was in with this damned stoma.

    I found that the manufacturers gave the correct methods for use,
    but the nurses and staff disregarded the information, and insisted
    on using methods they thought were better. I suffered for nine
    months, because some individuals can not follow basic instructions.

    The sore I had, expanded beyond the peristomal area and wept
    continuously, bleeding and causing pain. The weeping skin prevented
    anything from sticking to it, and the stoma's waste output just ate
    away at the skin, causing pain and infections.

    The problem was finally solved by first healing the immediate area.
    I used the "Tagaderm" plastic that is used for the "Wound-Vac"
    apparatus; cut a hole for the stoma.... put that "Stomahesive Powder"
    on the wounded area, put the plastic on top, and applied the appliance
    on top of that. The sore area was healed within two days!

    After that, the "Tagaderm" was no longer needed. I used the Stomahesive
    powder until the sore was completely gone, and only the appliance thereafter.

    The soap and water, the adhesive removers, the topical dressings, and
    the "skin soft" toweling, all were keeping the adhesives from doing their
    job. It allowed waste to get under the appliance, and dislodge it.

    I followed the above list, and had not had a problem I couldn't cure, since.

    I didn't "invent" those instructions, the manufacturers' did.

    If you do as listed and still have a problem, give me a yell....

    There are no problems that can't be solved! There's no reason
    to live in pain and anguish with a stoma!

    Best wishes,

    John

    Ditto John
    Brenda,

    Listen to John...especially #7. I have an "innie" stoma and use convex wafers. I had a sore peristomal area only once - and the Stoma powder cleared it up immediately.

    My best resource is the ostomy expert at my appliance supplier (in my case that's Edgepark). They work with this stuff daily and interact with patients continually. They have helped me immensely.

    Best of luck and hugs, Vicki