Yes, you can sleep on your side or back with a stoma, and many people find these positions comfortable, but sleeping directly on your stomach is generally discouraged as it can put pressure on the pouch and cause leaks. Sleeping on the side opposite your stoma or on your back is often recommended, using pillows for support or to prevent rolling onto the stoma, while a tighter shirt or support garment can help secure the pouch for any position.
If you usually sleep on your stomach, you may need to try a new position. Sleeping on your stomach can put pressure on your ostomy pouch, which could increase the risk of leaks. Instead, try sleeping on the opposite side of your stoma or your back.
You may want to avoid certain foods that are difficult to digest and may cause blockages, such as nuts, fruit and vegetable skins and corn. Most people can return to their normal diet. If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor or stomal therapy nurse and they can refer you to a dietitian.
Change or empty your bag before bed
Always change or empty your bag before going to sleep. If your bag overfills at night you are at risk of a leak. Going to bed with an empty bag can reduce anxiety about leaks and significantly improve the quality of your sleep.
By planning my meals so that I eat dinner early evening rather than late evening, I can help to avoid the aforementioned task of early morning bag-emptying. Eating earlier means that my stoma is less active (and therefore produces less output) through the night.
If you are still unsure, you can simply leave your pouch in place to keep the area dry. Your ostomy appliance is water-repellent and can be taken into the shower or bath without any problems.
In the early days after stoma surgery, you will probably experience a lot of gas. This will settle down with time. Also, many ostomates report that they experience bad stoma ballooning at night. This is because you do not empty your bag as often overnight, causing the air to build up.
Apply a Barrier Film to the Skin Around the Stoma
If you don't want to use a waterproof pouch, you can secure your ostomy bag to prevent water from getting inside with an ostomy barrier film. This is a product used to protect the skin around an ostomy stoma and to help secure the ostomy pouch.
Aim: Anecdotally, many ostomates believe that eating marshmallows can reduce ileostomy effluent. There is a plausible mechanism for this, as the gelatine contained in marshmallows may thicken small bowel fluid, but there is currently no evidence that this is effective.
You empty them when they are less than half full. This is usually around 4 to 6 times a day. You often need to empty them during the night too. You usually need to change the bag every 1 to 3 days.
Taking a shower is probably part of everyone's daily routine, and your stoma should not prevent you from enjoying this ritual. You can even choose whether you prefer to shower with or without a bag, both are possible and you will see that a shower cover or shower guard may not be necessary.
Skin irritation around your stoma is usually caused by leakage from your ostomy pouch and the output from your stoma getting underneath the adhesive and onto your skin. It is uncomfortable and can stop your pouch from working well. The skin around your stoma should look similar to the skin on the rest of your body.
Having diarrhoea will often mean that the stoma bag needs to be changed much more regularly than usual. This can mean that you go through supplies much quicker and also lead to irritation of the peristomal skin.
Night is a regenerative time when healing and recovery occur. Your sleep position can affect that process depending on how effectively the spine is supported. Proper positioning can relieve stress on the spine and provide quality sleep which benefits overall health.
Choose a time of day when there is less stool output from your stoma. Early in the morning before you eat or drink anything (or at least 1 hour after a meal) is best. You may need to change your pouch more often if: You have been sweating more than usual from hot weather or exercise.
Heating Pad or Blanket: A heating pad or cosy blanket is wonderful for days when extra comfort is needed. Many ostomates find that heat can ease muscle tension or discomfort around their stoma area.
The low fibre versions are better tolerated so try white bread, breakfast cereals like rice krispies or cornflakes, white rice/pasta, and avoid skins on potatoes. These provide protein, vitamins and minerals which is essential for health and repair of body tissues.
Bags are not drainable Usual use: 1-3 bags per day. Flushable bags only to be used on advice of bowel/stoma nurse. Colostomy bags (two piece systems) 30-90 bags + 15 flanges Bag – remove and discard after use. Flange – change every 2-3 days.
For those who have stomas above the belt line, patterned tops are best, while for those below the belt line, patterned bottoms may be helpful. Darker colors also tend to “hide” pouches better than lighter colors.
Plastic or Waterproof Stool: You can use a sturdy plastic stool or a waterproof stool inside the shower. Make sure it's slip-resistant and stable.
Water will not enter your stoma while enjoying a soak without your pouch. A well-secured ostomy pouching system will not be affected by water and dries quickly, so showering and bathing can still be completed with or without your pouching system.
The bowel needs to settle down after surgery so more wind is produced in the early weeks after a stoma is formed. The amount and frequency of wind usually decreases with time and the noise will become less noticeable.
If you keep having pain and cramping with no output from your stoma for more than 2 hours, and you can't reach your doctor or ostomy nurse, go to the emergency room.
I often hear leaks described as explosions, 'the bag burst' etc. but it has never been my experience that a bag has burst. They are made of stout stuff. Leaks for me tend to be more insidious, more about 'seepage', which is nonetheless distressing and potentially embarrassing.