ileostomy op

has any one had an ileostomy operation for their ulcerative colitis?and how are you coping with it?

[TrudieC]

Are you looking at a temporary or permanent ileostomy or a J-pouch?  Seventeen years ago while in hospital for my colitis my bowel perforated and had emergency total colectomy leaving me with an ileostomy.   When they tested my removed colon they weren't sure if it showed crohn's or colitis so had to wait a year to ensure I stayed healthy.  I did fine with the ileostomy, you learn to adjust your diet to keep its output down and to avoid gas.  I felt great having the disease gone.  After the year I had the j-pouch built, another temporary ileostomy for a few months, and then they closed it and I had my function back.  It has been a huge success for me.

[prendi]

hi trudie, i was asking for my husband.he has a permanent ileostomy,due to uc.he thought i may find some answers to some questions on here if i posted this.thanks for the reply.

[Jax23]

Hi, I have a permanent Ileostomy from Crohn's Disease. As your husbands is permanent like mine, I can tell you, you learn to cope. I am a volunteer for a support group here in Australia answering question like yours. The first thing your husband has to do is name the stoma. It helps by giving the stoma an entity of its own so when it blows off and makes noises you can tell it to stop (like a naughty child!) How is he coping with the changing of appliances? How young is your husband? These are answers I need to help if you like.

I lead a mostly normal life except for intimacy thanks to Crohn's. As for working, I volunteer 2 days a week for the local Ostomy Association doing Stock Control where we receive/fill/distribute the clients orders on a monthly basis and deal with their problems at times too.  I also volunteer by teaching woodwork at the local church one morning a week and the rest of the time I am either swimming, doing my woodwork at home, out with friends, running around visiting friends, etc... You can live as much of a normal life as you wish. You can willow away by sitting at home thinking you are a freak or get back into normal life and look after yourself. Dress to cover the bag eg. loose shirt and shorts, don't think everyone notices the bag because most of the world wouldn't know and mostly doesn't care. I am not trying to be mean as I know how it feels when you only just get it. There is never enough information you can get to help you cope. The one (1) must you have to have, is a POSITIVE ATTITUDE! I like the old saying "Don't let the buggers get you down". The best thing you can do for your husband is be there for him and help him when he needs it. This can help him cope a lot  better than anything else knowing your love for him is still there no matter what goes on.

I have had my Ileostomy almost 3 years now and have been told if my friends didn't know of my condition and of my Mr Wilson, they wouldn't even know it was there.

Good luck and chin up, life is what you make it!!!

Jax