I remember the early days of living with a stoma, how going out in public felt like stepping into the unknown. What if I had a leak? What if I couldn’t find a clean toilet? The anxiety was real, and honestly, it held me back from going to events and participating in activities. But over time, I’ve learned how to manage those fears and now, I go out knowing I can handle whatever the day throws at me.
How I’ve learned to manage my stoma anxiety
Preparation gives me peace of mind
I used to panic about every ‘what if’ scenario, but now I know that being prepared is half the battle. My go-to is having a small, well-organised kit in my bag that includes:
- A couple of spare stoma bags
- eakin freeseal® rings (they’ve honestly saved me from so many stressful moments)
- Dry wipes, disposal bags, and hand sanitiser
- A spare pair of underwear
Public toilets are less intimidating with a plan
I won’t lie, I used to avoid going out because I was so scared of dealing with public toilets, I never used them pre-stoma and now I have no other choice. But I plan ahead. I always carry a radar key in case I need to use a disabled facility, which tend to be bigger and cleaner. Unfortunately, as having a stoma is ‘invisible’, I do tend to get a lot of looks going in and out of disabled loos.
Experience changed everything
In the beginning, I started small, just a trip to the shops or a local café. Little by little, I got used to handling my stoma in different situations. I’ve learned how it behaves, how often I need to check on it, and that I can manage emergencies calmly if they happen. That confidence didn’t come overnight, but it’s grown with every outing.
Before I knew it, I had planned camping trips, lived in a van for a week on a road trip and travelled to many different countries with my stoma. Time really did help my confidence, and learning that my stoma wasn’t there to stop me from enjoying my life but instead helping me enjoy it pain free was life changing for me.
If you’re struggling with stoma anxiety, especially when going out in public, please know you’re not alone, and it does get easier. The key for me has been preparation, getting to know my stoma, and using products I completely trust. eakin freeseal® rings have been a huge part of that trust – they’ve helped me avoid leaks and feel secure. With time, practice, and the right mindset, I’ve gone from feeling scared to stepping out with confidence. You can too.
Thanks for reading,
Ange x
@thebaglife_
