Do you ever do this?

• By ChantalRb
• Reply 3442264
• October 8, 2012 at 7:58 pm
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I read somewhere that if you push too much you might get an hernia. I don't know for sure...you might want to be carefull!

• By JRo12
• Reply 3442301
• October 8, 2012 at 8:12 pm
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Hi Chantal,

That was one of my thoughts to. It just works so well and at times even brings a bit of releif almost like when we had our colons. I just want to stop if it may be bad before it becomes a habit.

Thank you for your response.

• By msmikkle
• Reply 3442686
• October 8, 2012 at 10:48 pm
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Hi Jro! I am guilty of the same thing. I go see my surgeon Wednesday and I'll try and remember to ask him about this.

• By hockeymom01
• Reply 3443239
• October 9, 2012 at 7:55 am
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I do the same thing. But with me I have a hard time going and the stool gets stuck in the stoma so I push around it to get it out. It's so soft I just can't figure out why it doesn't. But I worry about the same thing what damage am I causing. Good question JRo12.. hockeymom

• By MarkNelson
• Reply 3443441
• October 9, 2012 at 9:08 am
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I have always done it. I have a small hernia but it didn't come from that. I got mine from lifting something. Just trying to be normal.

I think what you are doing is normal. I can actually move a lot of stool. I don't push too hard but just trying to get some movement before I put on a new bag.

• By hockeymom01
• Reply 3443529
• October 9, 2012 at 9:30 am
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So are you guys push down on the abdomen around the stoma or the stoma it self? I do both. I'm glad to hear that lm not the only one doing this. I am so glad I found this site. Hockeymom

• By Patti229
• Reply 3444206
• October 9, 2012 at 12:54 pm
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I have never heard of pushing down on your stomach but I have massaged my stoma to get it going if I feel a partial blockage. I already have had a hernia infection so I normally don't touch my stomach for fear it would happen again. I have had my ilesostomy for 3 yrs now and my stomach area is still tender to touch probably due to all my surgeries I have had. There are days I cannot cross my arms to place on my stomach due to discomfort in that area. I think you should let nature take it's course. When I am ready to drain my pouch, I pour about 2 oz of water in my pouch to clean it out only when I have thick stool. As you mentioned that could be a bad habit to get into. Perhaps by doing that you might loosen up your pouch and end up with a leak. Good luck.

• By BigDaddy-Rosebud
• Reply 3444324
• October 9, 2012 at 1:33 pm
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I find that if I sit back in my office chair and curl up in a tight ball with my head tilted way back and then spin around as fast as I can for two minutes (no longer) and then immediately head outside, down my driveway to get the morning paper while my neighbor is standing there.... well, it doesn't really help drain more but it sure is fun to watch the look on his face. :o)

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3444661
• October 9, 2012 at 3:34 pm
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I push around the stoma (ileostomy)I been doing it for 10 years, with no problem. Not violently just gentle pushing. Definitely gets air out and some stool.

• By JRo12
• Reply 3445335
• October 9, 2012 at 7:54 pm
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BigDaddy Hilarious!!! Your to much.

It sounds like others do this and to those that question, it is just pushing all around, on the outside of the Stoma, not the Stoma itself. I haven't heard any of you mention pushing just with your abdomen alone to push stool and air out. Do any of you do that? It is just filling up your abdomen with air and then pushing. Seems to work for me, but again, just nervous that some harm could be done.

Patti, I have this thing about the bag being as clean as possible so when ever I empty I end up pouring about 1 oz bottles or more of water to clean it. I am hoping I can let that go over time, I have only had this for about 2 months now. Some I have spoken with clean out the used bags and re-use them. I have tried that but if I wipe out the bag it has to come out with absolutely nothing on it a all or I can't reuse them. Does anyone else reuse their bags?

You guy's are great, isn't this site great! Honestly I would not be doing as well as I am with out you guys.

Always
JRo

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3446877
• October 10, 2012 at 11:23 am
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Of course don,t push the stoma. But to me anywhere else around it, my stomach, seems to work fine to push out air and stool. These pouches are odorless when closed and the bottom is all clean. it is not practical to clean it every time you empty as long as you seal it up and clean the bottom. I change the bag daily because my insurance covers 30 pouches per month. If you need to use them for longer you can try rinsing them with peroxide and water which is a natural deodorant. Somewhat. Much of this is trial and error and you will find the method that works for you. I also have a very watery output so it sort of washes through for me. Like I said, trial and error. Eventually you will feel secure with your system as long as your wafer is on good. Also, just t to remind you, try to use some lotion (or water if no lotion is available) and put a schmear of it around the plastic ring of the pouch or the plastic ring on the wafer. The pouch will snap on much better. you can hear it snap shut. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

• By DixieWest
• Reply 3451002
• October 11, 2012 at 6:09 pm
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glad to know others do this too

• By JRo12
• Reply 3451520
• October 11, 2012 at 9:49 pm
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Me To!

Mark you have it exactly right. If I push down around it and nothing comes out I know it is a good time to change it.

Thanks!