Driving with an ileostomy
October 29, 2008Hey everybody, today’s video is just as the headline says. No trickery here.
Hollister, the largest supplier of ostomy supplies in the United States, has videos on their site about how to manage a stoma. Since I’m kind of partial to this video thing, I’m in the process of watching all their videos. I’ll give you a full report tomorrow on if they’re any good or not.
Keep fighting,
-Dennis
Question: How have you been driving with your ileostomy?
I watched your video on driving with a ileostomy. First, let me say that I think your videos will be helpful to people that are experiencing what you are going through. I would say however that driving with an ileostomy doesn’t need to be such a deal. I have had a short term ileostomy (3 months), a j-pouch for 5 years, a failed J-pouch and ileostomy for over 10 years. I hop in the car, put on my seat belt and take off. Here are the two things I would mention. It goes for airline travel as well. (Long flights are the most challenging.) In any case, I would first empty my pouch and second if you are in an accident, be sure and check your stoma even if you feel fine. You could have a cut the stoma and be bleeding but you aren’t aware because it has no feeling. I have been in two and my stoma has been fine. I was in another one time without a seat belt with a different result. It was ok in the end after sewing me up and washing away the blood but not wearing a seatbelt will probably cause more harm than good. My biggest reason I don’t want to at times is not because of my stoma but because my bag is so full. The last thing I would mention is about leaving your pouch in your clothes. I think moving it to the outside of your pants could actually cause it to leak esp if it is a two piece system. The seal between the two systems could be stressed. Don’t get me wrong, I think your videos are great but driving with an ileostomy isn’t too bad.
You obviously have more experience so thanks for the suggestions! I always leave the bag out and I use a two piece system and have never had any leaks or had the seal stressed in any ways. I haven’t been on an airplane yet either and probably won’t with my ileostomy, but emptying the bag probably isn’t a bad idea. For short trips, I don’t empty it, though.
[...] The Ulcerative Colitis Vlog Support for those with inflammatory bowel diseases. « IBDU.org: Dealing with Stress and IBD Ostomy Seat Belt Cover September 12, 2009 Apparently there are other ways to drive with an ostomy than my method. [...]