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Coughing with a Stoma

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glenn.giroir
(@glenn-giroir)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 300
Topic starter  

Hey Guys.  I hope everyone is well.  I was just relating to someone that a new ostomy to me has been much like a new car.  For a while, every bump and noise makes me nervous.  Then I figure out what is normal and what isn't, and just stop thinking about it.  We'll, I'm still in the "every bump and noise makes me nervous" stage of ostomy.  My question - I have finally managed to catch the cold circulating around school - my first cold since surgery (I'm 8 weeks post-op).  Is it normal to feel some pressure on your stoma when you cough?  My abdomen is really nice and flat around the stoma, so no concerns of a hernia, but it does feel a bit weird at my stoma when I cough.  I think I'm just feeling the stoma move and react to my cough.  I wear a wrap, and I try to place my hand over the stoma when I cough.  Anywhoo, just trying to figure out which "bumps and sounds" are normal at this stage of the game.     

Thanks, 

Glenn


Ulcerative Colitis (1995)
Permanent Ileostomy (2019)
Doing what it takes to enjoy life to its fullest.


   
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(@john68)
In Memorandum
Joined: 9 years ago
Posts: 2059
 

When coughing, sneezing or being sick it’s a good idea to hold the stoma. 


ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 12 years ago
Posts: 4731
 

Coughing always worries me, but things did feel different for a while after surgery.  I always place the palm of my hand over my stoma when I cough to give it more support. 

There is a hernia risk, but also a prolapse risk. If you notice signs of either happening after a cough you should let your stoma nurse know.  

But I think that for many ostomates, coughing will feel a little different even when everything is fine.


Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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glenn.giroir
(@glenn-giroir)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 300
Topic starter  

@veganostomy

Eric.  Good points.  I do believe that our intestines move when we cough - kind of a flinch.  It's so much more noticeable for us with the tip protruding.  See, one more cool thing about an ostomy - most folks will never know what their intestines look like or feel like.  The list of "pros" just keeps getting longer and longer.  😆


Ulcerative Colitis (1995)
Permanent Ileostomy (2019)
Doing what it takes to enjoy life to its fullest.


   
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glenn.giroir
(@glenn-giroir)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 300
Topic starter  

@john68

Thanks, John.  I had not even considered being sick.  I can about imagine how fun that is.  My stomach spasms so hard when I get sick.  But, since most instances of me vomiting in the past 25 years have been related to me doing preps for the omnipresent colonoscopies, much of that should go away now.  


Ulcerative Colitis (1995)
Permanent Ileostomy (2019)
Doing what it takes to enjoy life to its fullest.


   
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(@squeakyandliza)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1066
 

When I cough or sneeze, I am using one hand/arm to cover my face and the other to hold pressure on my giant hernia, so no hand left to cover my stoma. 🤣 The hernia actually gives me great pain when I cough or sneeze, and putting pressure on it helps. 

Thanks Glenn, good idea for a discussion topic.  And by the way, I’m looking forward to getting used to a new car much more than getting used to my stoma.  🤣


-Liza
Ileostomy 6/18/2018
“May your day be bright and your bag be light.”


   
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glenn.giroir
(@glenn-giroir)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 300
Topic starter  

 And by the way, I’m looking forward to getting used to a new car much more than getting used to my stoma.  🤣

I should clarify that I've only had "newish" cars.  I usually take over when someone else is afraid to go any farther with the car.  😆


Ulcerative Colitis (1995)
Permanent Ileostomy (2019)
Doing what it takes to enjoy life to its fullest.


   
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(@squeakyandliza)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 1066
 
I should clarify that I've only had "newish" cars.  I usually take over when someone else is afraid to go any farther with the car.  😆

I’m driving a 1999 Honda. Can you beat that?  🤣


-Liza
Ileostomy 6/18/2018
“May your day be bright and your bag be light.”


   
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glenn.giroir
(@glenn-giroir)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 300
Topic starter  

@squeakyandliza

Not quite.  2009 Kia with 170,000 miles.  I did have a 1992 Toyota pickup for the longest time.  Wish I still had it.  Take care!  


Ulcerative Colitis (1995)
Permanent Ileostomy (2019)
Doing what it takes to enjoy life to its fullest.


   
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