Thoughts about stoma care

    These comments are in response to remarks that I have seen on this blog and others, and result from my own observations
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    I cover the stoma with a "cotton round" (suggested by my wife, who uses them to apply skin care products) after having gone a few months using 2 x 2 gauze pads. The cotton rounds are more absorbent and less irritating than the gauze. They are held in place by paper tape. The tape is slightly irritating (the subject of a future post) but that hasn't changed in nearly 1 1/2 years.
    Leaks are inevitable and unpredictable so I cover the cotton round with 1/3 of a sanitary pad -- only the end third since the absorbent granules tend to drift from the cut ends -- also held in place with paper tape. The smaller (not "maxi") pads are less bulky but still hold a lot of fluid. A built-in benefit is that they mask odor very well.
    I haven't noticed any change in trouser waist size, a concern of one blogger.

A future post will deal with the mucus issue. I invite your questions and comments as I do the research.

Stone formation is fairly common in persons with and Indiana pouch. Infrequent irrigation appears to be one cause. Check with your urologist to determine how often you need to irrigate.

            There are other factors that increase the risk of stone formation in those with normal plumbing as well as persons with an IP. Be sure that your urine doesn’t become too concentrated. It should always be light yellow with only a mild odor.Your fluids needs vary greatly according to your size, activity, the weather, humidity, etc. Don't put too much stock in "8 glasses a day" or similar suggestions.

            A generation ago physicians advised persons with a tendency toward kidney stones to be on a low-calcium diet but we now know that the opposite is correct. Too little dietary calcium allows oxalate, which is especially high in plant foods such as spinach and rhubarb, to be absorbed.

Sharing ideas

This blog originated on June 10, 2011 for the purpose of sharing ideas among persons who have an Indiana Pouch.

I am a pediatrician and underwent total cystectomy (urinary bladder removal) because of cancer in March, 2010.
During the past year I have learned from various sources as well as trial and error how to return to a relatively normal life, how to avoid leaks and infection, and how to make emptying the pouch a simple routine, even for travel.

I plan to post a new message every Sunday, to include one tip per week.
This Sunday's tip: Arrange for your physician to prescribe one-time-use catheters. Medicare will provide 180 per month as well as 180 packets of lubricating gel. Re-using catheters will almost guarantee eventual infection of the pouch.