When you change your stoma covering…

I have a pad to cover my stoma. I cut it in half (I use to cut it in threes) It's a sanitary napkin (SN) the kind that sticks to your underwear (without the wings) that I put in front of the stoma stuck to my underwear. Than I put a folded paper towel in front of that and when I empty my pouch I'd throw away the paper towel. The discharge goes from slightly mucoid to thicker depending on my post nasal drip (PND). I have chronic PND and it gets worse depending on the weather. Since the paper towel absorbs most of the discharge I only change the SN once a day.

I have never seen blood on the paper towel but occasionally after I'm finished emptying my pouch and I wipe off the area and stoma there maybe a pin size amt of blood. I assume it's because when I inserted the catheter I must've done something to the area/skin around the stoma that caused that.

I think the amount of discharge maybe a subjective thing. I think the discharge I have is slight to more depending on the PND. I watch it to be sure it's not more that the amount I usually see. I adjust things as needed. i.e. when I cut the pad into threes I changed the pad more. I don't remember how often back then, sorry.

When I used a bandaid I change it every time. But then I got tired of alway pulling off a bandaid. That was slightly annoying so I only use a bandaid very rarely.

I hope this helps.

Thanks, LadyTay. Is there ever any stool on it?

It's usually a watery consistency. Sometimes in the morning it's been thicker probably because I'm not drinking while I sleep. I've been told by Dr to drink 10 to 12 cups liquid per day so It flows. I drink mostly tap water since it's just easier. I suppose if I eat more fibrous foods it would be thicker all the time. But I have never seen solid pieces if that's what you mean.

I have mucous most times, some days it is saturated, some days not so bad.  Sometimes thick, sometimes thin.   I haven't figured that out but I guess I don't care enough to try     I only change my stoma cover when it feels overly wet cause that will cause skin problems.

Sometimes there will be a tiny amount of blood.  The stoma is highly vascular so it bleeds very easily and can get dinged by the catheter.  I wouldn't be worried unless is it was more than a few drops.

I have very rarely had a small amount of stool or a piece of veg.  Sometimes a piece gets pulled into the valve, half in the hole of my catheter, and then gets left behind, its works its way to the surface.  That has maybe happened 3-4 times in 15 years.

Hope this helps!

Amazing detail; thank you.

I used to use just a folded-up kleenex but as years went by I developed a crook in my valve which holds stuff after intubation. That means that around 10-30mins afterward it pushes out the stuff.

A bit of output, a bit of mucus, a bit of whatever...I am no longer scared or shocked.

I use a 1/2 of a minpad stuck to my undies and a folded kleenex against my stoma. The minpad stays on for 24hrs unless there is a lot of stuff coming out, the kleenex gets changed as needed (usually after each intubation).

Sometimes I have a drop of blood, my stoma is old, has side granulation (little red or white bumps that tend to bleed) so it bleeds when rubbed with the catheter.

Do not worry for now...give it a year.

Sharon