Recurrent Stoma granulation tissue problems and diarrhea issues w/ j-tube

• By MarieTwinTubes
• Posted October 13, 2009 at 12:07 pm
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Hi, Rodeogrl02. For cleaning my stoma I do use saline solution with a dash of hydrogen Peroxide. Some say not to use hydrogen peroxide because it may be too harsh. But for me the small amount diluted keeps me clean and fungus free.

I have had a prescription in the past for silver nitrate sticks. If you do administer yourself, considering coating the outer skin around the stoma with zinc oxide cream to keep from buring your skin.

Blessings and best wishes in your search for solutions.
Marie

• By Rodeogrl02
• Posted October 13, 2009 at 2:09 pm
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Thanks! I will ask for a script for silver nitrate sticks (I use them at work occassionally for dog toe nails that r cut too short) but they aren't sterile or anything. Also thanks for the tip for using silvernitrate, ya last time when my surgeon did tthe silver nitrate he got it on the surrounding skin and it burned it to the point of bleeding.

• By Novagrad
• Posted October 14, 2009 at 7:44 pm
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Your body will pretty much always form granulation tissue as a means of recovering from this stoma that is caused by the tube. Don't worry too much about it. The surgeon should be able to give you some silver nitrate sticks or at least write you a prescription for some. Your pharmacist might have to order them. Honestly, I don't even think about the granulation tissue anymore and I just let it be. But I remember when I got my first tube and how badly I wanted this tissue to be gone. Not going to happen! Hang in there!

Mimi

• By Woeful
• Posted October 19, 2009 at 3:48 pm
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I'd also recommend trying triamcinolone cream (a steroid cream) that someone on this forum suggested. I had horrible granulation tissue build-up (little balls everywhere) all around the whole tube where the J tube went into my belly. Within a week of applying the cream (3 times a day), it was all gone. Not even a spot of redness left. I then had 3 glorious days of zero pain, zero burning, zero leakage of any sort. But the 4th day, the leakage started again. The granulation tissue did come back, but in an area where I'd never had the tissue build-up before (go figure). For whatever reason, the cream isn't working on this one little spot, but the spot is small enough it causes me minimal discomfort (though I still apply the cream every so often in hopes it will eradicate it). However, the area where I had the worst tissue build-up has remained tissue-free, even though I don't apply the cream to that area. So I'd recommend giving the cream a try. You could also try lidocaine ointment. I use that too. It doesn't dissolve the granulation tissue but it keeps the area numb for 3-6 hours at a time so you don't feel the pain/burn. My understanding is if you get this tissue build-up (not every one does), you'll likely always get it. It's your body's way of trying to 'heal' the hole closed, which it can't do because of the tube. Movement of the tube itself (just through regular peristalsis) can also cause irritation, which leads to the tissue build-up. But for me anyway, this triamcinolone cream seems to be working best (I might try the silver nitrate again; I tried it once and it burned so bad afterward, I've been too nervous to try it again). (Also, my J tube is used for stomach drainage, not for feeding--I'm fed via PICC line--so I don't know if usage of a J tube for that reason causes more/less tissue build-up)

I'm getting a brand new J tube in a few weeks (apparently a brand new tube has come on the market that my GI doc and surgeon think would work great for me), so I'll be curious to see if the build-up lessens/worsens.

• By Rodeogrl02
• Posted October 19, 2009 at 6:55 pm
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thanks ya i've done the silver nitrate treatments 4 ties now, and just got my j-tube replaced a few weeks ago. Mine is just directly into my jejunum part of my intestine (the G/J one into my stomach and intestine fell out and caused me 2 months of near death and missory in the hospital) I have an appt wednesday w/ my surgeon so I'll ask for a script and say I heard it works cuz he told me there is nothing for in home treatment of these things, and the silver nitrate burns my skin sooo bad and the skin that isn't the bubbley things)

• By arizona91003
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 12:04 am
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My daughter had the same problem with the granulation tissue. We tried the silver nitrate and the triamcinolone cream over and over, all worked for a second and then back again. She has had her g-tube for 6 years, its not new, not trying to heal. The surgeon finally cut off the granulation tissue. Been beautiful ever since.. almost a year.

• By Sanford
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 6:16 am
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I used to have the granulation tissue, but haven't had it in years. And I'm embarrassed to say, I've never used silver nitrate. When I shower, I use the same soap to clean the stomas as I use on the rest of my body, I keep it gauzed at all times to absorb leakage.

• By oleyfriends
• Posted October 20, 2009 at 9:44 am
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More suggestions on granulation tissue and other skin care tips are posted on the Tube Feeding Tips page of the Oley web site:
http://www.oley.org/tubetalks.html

• By Woeful
• Posted October 21, 2009 at 1:46 pm
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None of my doctors had even heard of this triamcinolone cream (though had no problem prescribing it), so don't be surprised if your doctor hasn't heard of it either. (Seems the patients, as is often the case, are more hip than the docs!) Like I said, it works fairly well for me except for this one tiny area that refuses to go away. Of course, there also might be granulation tissue down past where I can reach, inside the hole itself. I'm sure there is, because I still have a lot of discomfort with my tube, and it's been almost a year now. I'm praying the new tube will eliminate the discomfort.

Is there anyone who doesn't have a problem with leakage? The three main issues that a year later still keep me on the stupid sofa and unable to resume any semblance of a normal life are the tube discomfort, the leakage, and that I can't find clothing to wear with my particular J tube set-up.

• By kayjay35
• Posted October 21, 2009 at 1:54 pm
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My husband had the problem with granulation tissue and excessive leakage for the first 18 months of having the j-tube. Then in April when they changed out his j-tube to a foley catheter type the granulation tissue went away on its own and no more leakage. He does keep a gauze pad on it when using the pump (night only) and during the day using nothing. We don't know if it is the foley catheter or just luck. He went in a week ago for another change (foley catheter again) and the radiologist who did the change could not get over how good his site around the tube looked. So we keep our fingers crossed that we are doing something right..