Passing gas with a colostomy

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vtspa6
vtspa6 Member Posts: 172
in Colorectal Cancer #1

When my husband Tim passes gas thru the stoma IT IS LOUD!  Does not smell, but you can hear it across the room.  Other than diet, is there anything that he can purchase or use that will muffle the sound?

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  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #2
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    Dear Friend,

    I have been living with colostomy for 2 years now and I myself have more gas than most. I don't respect my diet at all. I am vegetarian, by eat seafood. The amount and the loudness of gas will eventually decrease, but will never go away completely. The only product I found that helps somewhat is Devrom. 

    Please check out the forum at UOAA.com for invaluable information. You guys just have to get through the initial tough time then things will get easier. 

    If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to email me.

    Hang in there, 

    Laz

  • vtspa6
    vtspa6 Member Posts: 172
    #3
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    lp1964 said:

    Dear Friend,

    I have been living with colostomy for 2 years now and I myself have more gas than most. I don't respect my diet at all. I am vegetarian, by eat seafood. The amount and the loudness of gas will eventually decrease, but will never go away completely. The only product I found that helps somewhat is Devrom. 

    Please check out the forum at UOAA.com for invaluable information. You guys just have to get through the initial tough time then things will get easier. 

    If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to email me.

    Hang in there, 

    Laz

    Laz

    Thanks for the info!  Before the colostomy, you kinda knew if you were going to pass gas, now he has no control or know when it will happen.  Around the house is no biggie, but when we are out around folks it might be a problem.  He has just had this for 2 weeks, so I guess we need to give it time.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #4
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    This is something I have no

    This is something I have no experience with. I get the odd little noise once in a hwile but nothing loud. And my bag certainly builds up with gas during the night. I almost always have to get up once just to get the gas out. I should add that I once tried just letting the gas out in my car before going into a store and ended up making a mess and haven't tried that since.

    I do find that my husband has a lot of gas- no ostomy- and it seems to be because he eats fast and takes big mouthfuls and inhales as he puts it in his mouth. He also eats a lot of things that are spicy and rich. I think this is why he has so much gas.

    I have noticed with mine that the smell has gotten less over time. I've had my ostemy for a year and a half now and for the first year the smell when I emptied it was terrible. In the last six months or so the smell is almost nothing. I have no idea why that would be.

    Jan

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #5
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    sound issue

    It is difficult to control something where there is no control.

    The only possibility is to keep a diary of what he eats and see what it is that is causing the worst of the gas.  Broccoli and beans are probably the worst.

    It might be possible that a "pouch holder" might help to put more fabric between sound and ear.  These come as either pouch covers or you can get underwear with a pouch pocket.  Just do web search on ostomy wear.  The products which are for deoderant purposes will not dull the sound.

    It may be that the bowel will calm some on its own and there will be less gas as time goes on.

    I have had an ostomy for over 5 years and gas happens.  When in the company of others, I just apologize for the noise...but only if they act as if they heard it...lol.

    Wishing you both the best,

    Marie who loves kitties

  • vtspa6
    vtspa6 Member Posts: 172
    #6
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    JanJan63 said:

    This is something I have no

    This is something I have no experience with. I get the odd little noise once in a hwile but nothing loud. And my bag certainly builds up with gas during the night. I almost always have to get up once just to get the gas out. I should add that I once tried just letting the gas out in my car before going into a store and ended up making a mess and haven't tried that since.

    I do find that my husband has a lot of gas- no ostomy- and it seems to be because he eats fast and takes big mouthfuls and inhales as he puts it in his mouth. He also eats a lot of things that are spicy and rich. I think this is why he has so much gas.

    I have noticed with mine that the smell has gotten less over time. I've had my ostemy for a year and a half now and for the first year the smell when I emptied it was terrible. In the last six months or so the smell is almost nothing. I have no idea why that would be.

    Jan

    Jan

    Tim's bag has a little filtered 'vent' that lets the gas out on its own.  The bag has never over expanded with air.  It is really tiny and is situated above the stoma area.  I guess he will just have to try different things, I was thinking because the forced air hits the plastic bag it kinda vibrates and maybe that is why it is louder than the normal way.

     

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #7
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    vtspa6 said:

    Jan

    Tim's bag has a little filtered 'vent' that lets the gas out on its own.  The bag has never over expanded with air.  It is really tiny and is situated above the stoma area.  I guess he will just have to try different things, I was thinking because the forced air hits the plastic bag it kinda vibrates and maybe that is why it is louder than the normal way.

     

    Interesting. Mine have a vent

    Interesting. Mine have a vent but I never found that they actually worked. Now I cover the vent with the little stickers that come with the pouches because I worry that the vent will leak stuff when I'm sleeping. I wasn't a gassy person before the pouch so maybe that's why I don't have it often. If I do get it and it makes a noise it sounds like a stomach growl.

  • DaveHereInFlorida
    DaveHereInFlorida Member Posts: 48
    #8
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    AutoZone might have a current

    AutoZone might have a current special on small mufflers ;  just kidding.   He could try Beano product ,  Tums,  etc....  Leg lifts at the Gym has actually strenthened my abdomen and im passing gas less and more quietly too.

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,459 Member
    #9
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    vtspa6 said:

    Laz

    Thanks for the info!  Before the colostomy, you kinda knew if you were going to pass gas, now he has no control or know when it will happen.  Around the house is no biggie, but when we are out around folks it might be a problem.  He has just had this for 2 weeks, so I guess we need to give it time.

    It will get better and after

    It will get better and after a while, there are times when he will know the sensation although I've had some moments where it is just embarrassing and I say "sorry, cancer, no control anymore" and people giggle and go on with their lives.  I also curb mine by eating low fiber except when I know I will be home for a few days, then I let loose, literally.  lol  If I have to sit in on a meeting, I ALWAYS carry a sweater or jacket and put it over the ostomy.  That's been a life saver, that and coughing really loud when I feel it coming.

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    #10
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    JanJan63 said:

    Interesting. Mine have a vent

    Interesting. Mine have a vent but I never found that they actually worked. Now I cover the vent with the little stickers that come with the pouches because I worry that the vent will leak stuff when I'm sleeping. I wasn't a gassy person before the pouch so maybe that's why I don't have it often. If I do get it and it makes a noise it sounds like a stomach growl.

    ileostomy

    While I had a stome for my ileostomy,gas was never a problem.  Go Figure!!

  • Snoopy73b
    Snoopy73b Member Posts: 2
    #11
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    DaveHereInFlorida said:

    AutoZone might have a current

    AutoZone might have a current special on small mufflers ;  just kidding.   He could try Beano product ,  Tums,  etc....  Leg lifts at the Gym has actually strenthened my abdomen and im passing gas less and more quietly too.

    I've had my colostomy since

    I've had my colostomy since April and it's loud at times too. Has anyone tried any of the noise muffling products out there (stealth belt, stoma stiffler, etc). They are all pricey and would love to talk to someone who has actually tried them before spending the $$.  

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