Question:
EXACTLY WHERE IS THE STOMA?

Is the stoma the opening at the end of the pouch going into the intestine? If so, why does it hurt in your chest when you eat something to dry or not chewed well enough right away, because if your esophagus hasn't changed wouldn't it hurt when it starts to go through the stoma? Did any of that make sense?    — Kelly* P. (posted on March 2, 2003)

March 2, 2003
Yes, it makes perfect sense to me....the stoma is the opening that leads from the pouch to the small intestine. I am not sure but I think the pain is caused in the pouch but it feels like it is in the diaphragm and in the chest. It occurs when you eat too fast, don't chew enought, or eat too much. The pouch is located very high up close to the chest. You are correct the esphogas has not changed but sometimes if we eat too much and overfill the pouch, the food will back up into the esphogas. That is definitely a sign you are eating too much. Hope this helps.
   — Mylou52

March 2, 2003
I call it a food heart attack and I had my first one on Fridya morning and let me tell you the pain was incredible and a direct result of the fact that I ate too fast and didn't chew enough. The pouch needs the food chewed well and coming at a slow rate in order for it to fit comfortably into the tiny pouch. Then it slowlt moves through the stoma into the small intestine. The pouch can not perform any of the functions your stomach did, so if it ain't chewed well it will have problems moving through. If it feels like the food is backing up it because of the same reasons. I've learned my lesson for a while.
   — zoedogcbr