Hi!

I've had an ileostomy for about 23 years now (I'm 29) and gas is a big deal,
but it doesn't have to be :) I avoid foods that I know cause me problems -
sometimes. Sometimes the food is too good to pass up! Watch out with
drinking through straws, that brings in a lot of air.

I drink OJ and eat yogurt, that cuts down on the odor quite a bit.

I wear a two-piece appliance and found it very easy to run to the restroom
and pop the top of the appliance a little and let air out. Snap it back
together and leave. Pretty simple. I haven't done this in public and truly
doubt I ever will! Too risky.

Also, I had tried the appliance with the charcoal release at the top that
supposedly lets air out....hmmm, it let other stuff out as well. :)

It really takes a while to get used to all this but honestly, leaks and
"explosions" are par for the course. I keep an extra change of clothes in my
car (I work 40 miles away from home), I keep extra supplies with me and,
just like a girl scout, I stay prepared. That eases my mind A LOT!

Amanda
-----Original Message-----
From: peopleswithostomy2@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:peopleswithostomy2@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Diana Russell
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 10:56 PM
To: peopleswithostomy2@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [peoples with ostomy2] New Member & Questions


Hi all,

Please bear with this rambling message. My mom, in her late 60's, has had
a colostomy since 7/03 and has not come to accept it. I know it is an
individual thing as to how long it takes someone to process such a life
change, but I'm hoping I can help her with some questions. First, she
doesn't have a computer, so it's not likely she would ever join this
listserv. Second, she's a very private person and not much of a joiner to
begin with, especially in this situation, though she has subscribed to a
newsletter that contains information.

The main issue that plagues her daily is an excessive amount of gas. I
know gas is an issue for all ostomates, but hers has not improved with ANY
of the OTC (Maalox, bean-o, Gas-x) or even prescription medicines her doctor
gave her (unfortunately, I don't know the names of the latter at this
point). She has tried not eating certain foods, but no matter what she
eats....tons of gas. And, for some reason, she doesn't want the bag with a
release valve (can anyone describe the pros and cons of this so I can
understand her point of view?) She has had at least 2 instances where the
bag exploded, one of them in a store, the other in the car. She has been
scarred by this and, as a result, will not eat before going to a movie, for
example (though she normally eats frequently...I read that skipping meals
can cause gas). Afterwards, they go to a restaurant and she wants to go home
immediately afterwards. This is a quality of life issue that I hope she can
overcome even a little in the future.

The other question is in regards to travelling in a car long distances
where there are no bathroom facilities available. Is this a situation that
can be overcome easily or is it just as well she not make such a trip? She
doesn't want to be off in the woods somewhere dealing with the bag.

Thanks, in advance,
Diana

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