C3Life Community Forum / General / Sports, Fitness & Healthy Lifestyle Forum

Scuba Diving

houghta — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:15:08 GMT

Hi everyone i have just had a total colectomy and ileostomy 2 weeks ago and i am a very keen scuba diver. I have a few questions that hope I may get some answers to,

1 I was wondering if any of the members dived with an ileostomy

2 Is there a depth limit (i like to dive up to 30metres)

3 Can you still use a wet suit

4 Can you still use a dry suit

5 Is there any special precautions or tips and advice for diving with an ileostomy

6 Do i need to get medical clearance to dive with a PADI dive centre both in the UK and abroad

If you have any advice or tips please post them as i really want to be able to get diving again

cheers houghta.

exersize

pensfaith — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:18:31 GMT

Hi Guys,

I would like to start exercising again, but one of the stoma nurses told me not to do anything but walk. I know that walking is good for me and I have been doing it regularly since my last surgery. I would like to work on my core but she said any exercise for that would weaken my tummy muscles. She said I could not even do leg lifts because it affects my abs.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Swimming with ostomy

iluvcats — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:37:26 GMT

Hi,

Although I've had colostomy since 2003, I haven't had much fun in the water, which I dearly luve:( I found a swimsuit with a little skirt which does well at hiding. I've taken a quick dip in pool where I live and then I run home to dry pouch/flange with hair dryer.

What are the secrets people have found in order to be abe to swim and enjoy yourself. If you do need to dry once out of water, where do you go and how do you do. Anyone found a portable dryer that runs on batteries so I could just go into a little cubicle in ladies room and dry when done? This really bums me out, especially since I love the ocean.

Misearable without water wings:(

Running

RunningTerp — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 08:24:49 GMT

Hi all. I started talking about this subject in the Introductions forum, but I think this forum is more appropriate. I am a fairly serious runner (5K's up to marathons) who just underwent a permanent ileostomy. I am looking for ideas and/or advice for when I start running again (surgery was only 2 1/2 weeks ago).

I have talked to several folks and most everyone states that you should use your regular pouch when running. Just drain before you start, and try to pick a "quiet" time if possible to run. I currently use a 2 piece, drainable pouch. The one thing that I have noticed during my rehab walks is that the clip at the end rubs against my leg. I would imagine that this will be even worse when running. I have seen adds for belts that hold the pouch sideways. Has anyone tried any of these? Does anyone have a recommendation on a specific brand? I was thinking that bike shorts might also do the trick (I use them often, especially in cold weather to keep my thighs warmer). They would hold the pouch close so there would not be any movement. Has anyone tried this? Does it work? My only concern is that it would be too tight and if I did have a movement, it would all stay at the top (my stoma is at the level of my naval). Also, I have seen drainable pouches with no clips (they roll up at the end). I have samples of those coming. Do they work well? Would these be more comfortable? Any experiences or any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I know hydration is a big issue. I currently have a Camelbak which I use for hiking and biking. However, that is fairly bulky and would not real conducive to running. Anyone have any suggestions on belts to hold liquids? There are a ton out there which look fairly similar. It is always good to have advice from someone who actually has and uses a product. Before this, all I ever used during my runs was water and sports drinks (Gatorade). Is that still enough or do I need things like GU or PowerBars for longer runs now (since I imagine I am not getting the electrolyte absorption that I was before)?

I am hoping to start running again in about 3 weeks. I even have my first 5K planned (a local run benefitting the county senior center called the Penguin Pace on February 1st). I can not wait to get started again.

Thanks for looking at this and thanks for any help you can give. It is always better to get advice from those who have done it.

Karate

MichelleMood — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:45:58 GMT

I am considering returning to an ostomy since my internal j-pouch is inflamed, and the ileum up above is even more inflamed, and has a stricture. I am a recent karate enthusiast and would be heartbroken if I couldn't do karate. Is there an ostomate out there who is also into karate? Please advise. Thank you! -Michelle in Ohio

Want to get in better shape???

GRASSHOPPER — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:33:02 GMT

We went to a friends house last week and they had just hooked up a Nintendo Wii game console and they had the Wii fit package. It consists of a board that you stand on with sensors in each corner to check for the amount of weight you are putting on each foot and the total weight. The CD has a training program that includes strength, aerobics, and yoga. You have a trainer that shows you how to do everything and does it along with you. I always considered yoga as something for sissies. The point of the poses is to stay in balance with body control. You are standing on the board and there is a yellow circle on the screen with a red dot that represents your center of balance. The point is to keep the red dot inside the yellow area.

After about 10 minutes of working out, most of it just trying to stand still, the sweat is pouring and my butt is whipped.

This thing has an indicator telling you when to breathe and you have to score well on the beginning poses to unlock the more difficult ones so you don't hurt yourself.

I read yesterday that the Veterans Hospital in Houston Texas has a lab set up with Wiis and some of the soldiers that they had trouble getting into physical therapy are lining up to get into the Wii hab lab.

The console we got was the Wii sport and comes with some basic games. The bowling is really realistic except for the weight of the ball. This thing is nothing like the regular video games. You have to get up and get moving and it is really a lot of fun. I am getting as much exercise as I would in a gym and there is no waiting for equipment or being embarrassed about what you can't do well. The trainers do critique you based on your previous sessions. "you seem a little shaky today".

The bottom line is I recommend one. Shop around though because the prices vary widely.

Swimming

lamabr — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:33:23 GMT

I am an avid swimmer, I swim about 10 months out of the year. I do it strictly for pleasure. No competitive swimming, out of my own choice because of work schedules, etc. Some weeks, I swim 5 to 6 nights a week. Other weeks it is only 2-3 nights a week. I start at the end of February and go to middle of November. Are there other swimmers out there. Definitely looking forward to end of February. I don't let my ileostomy get in my way.

lamabr

Swimming

bullpup2@verizon.net — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:24:23 GMT

I'd like to go swimming, in a heated rehab pool, and am afraid. I have an Ileostomy and worry the adhesive will give out. Any suggestions? Ed