If you have a stoma..

[Stomaseeker]

Has it improved your quality of life?

I was diagnosed with IBD a few years back, and it’s been a bit of a living nightmare since then. Endless trial and error medication, unpredictable symptoms, fears of taking my DC out alone or venturing to a new place in case I have a bathroom emergency!

I am at the end of my tether and want to request a stoma. Is that something you can even do? Will it even improve my quality of life? Help!

There was an AMA thread about stomas a couple of weeks ago. Loads of people with IBD commented on it. I do t know how to link it.

It has vastly improved my quality of life. I don't have IBD but elected to have a permanent stoma after cancer in an awkward place. Now have had everything removed from the stoma downwards and have no regrets. Got used to it surprisingly quickly (and I am rather old!) If you are facing the rest of your life with unpredictable accidents it is a no brainer. They can do a reversible colostomy which isn't quite so final and leaves open the possibility of reconnecting you if your symptoms improve or are better controlled. Good luckx