Help! Constant Panic with Products

I am constantly panicking. No matter what product I am using.

Can you elaborate more? The appliance you are using is? Do you have an ileostomy or colostomy bag? Your output must be very solid for this to happen... Are you wearing the bag vertically or horizontally? And to be clear, pancaking, right? Not panicking?

Hi dogmum. I see from your profile you have a colostomy. I'm ileo so I can't claim to have the same output but I did have problems with pancaking early on, especially when dehydrated which thickens output. So, I've had success using a support belt and even taping edges of the wafer. I also use a supplemental latex adhesive called Torbot Bonding Cement. I haven't had pancaking since. I'd discuss the issue with your WOCN but ask about these techniques unless the WOCN has other ideas. Hope this helps.

Hello dogmum. 

Thank you for sharing your problem and I hope you get plenty of replies in regard to pancaking and panicking.

Mark has picked up the useful fact that you have a colostomy, so my first response would be to encourage you to try irrigation. This will almost certainly resolve the problem of pancaking as you will not have output during the day and you may be able to give up using bags altogether, in favour of plugs or something similar. 

Best wishes

Bill   

Easy fix, put an eye dropper of oil into your bag when you change it. I do, and it works. Good luck.

How to Stay Hydrated with an Ostomy with Collin | Hollister

Good point. Like Hollister's Adapt lubricant: https://www.hollister.com/en/products/Ostomy-Care-Products/Ostomy-Accessories/Lubricating-Deodorant?s=Relevance amp;pg=1

With an ileostomy, I don't use pouch lubricant and had forgotten they make it.

Hi Dogmum, I highly recommend coating the top of the bag with baby oil as it has really helped me with pancaking. Use a Q-tip to apply before putting the pouch on. The foods that can contribute to pancaking are peanut butter, bananas, and starches. When you do eat them, drink more water. Also, you need a small amount of air in the bag to eliminate the vacuum effect too, which will help with pancaking.

A stoma guard can help with flow into the pouch also. I have designed one and use it every day.

Good luck and stay well! Penguins7

What do you mean by irrigation? More water.

Hello dogmum.

If you want to know more about irrigation there is plenty of stuff online- including informative videos. I have just entered 'stoma irrigation' on Google and come up with loads of stuff. Below is an extract from one of the UK sites.
"Irrigation transforms lives! However, it must first be discussed and taught by a stoma care nurse, as irrigation is not suitable for all. Between irrigating, there is usually no need for a colostomy bag to be worn. Instead the stoma can be covered by a cap. For greater piece of mind, some irrigators wear a small bag. Irrigation is now a well established method of bowel management.
What is irrigation?
For those of you who are unfamiliar, irrigation is a method of colostomy management which involves using specialist equipment to introduce warm water into the bowel via the stoma. The water causes muscular contractions (peristalsis) in the bowel, which in turn causes it to expel its contents. Many colostomates prefer this method of colostomy management as it gives them a sense of control."

I hope this is helpful and if you want to know more Iam sure there are lots of ostomates who will chip in on this subject. 

Also you can go into 'COLLECTIONS' -- premium content--- colostomy where there a lots of previous posts on this subject.

Best wishes

Bill

What is pancaking? 

I have had a colostomy since 2014. I was never given any help or advice, so I have been on my own. I was so glad when I found this site, I have learned from it. I had never heard about irrigation. Is it necessary and what purpose does it serve? I could never go without a bag as all during the day my output is a little bit at a time. And the output sticks to the bag. Then about every two days or so, I have a big movement.

Hello lovely. 

Basically, irrigation is where we flush out the colon with water. It usuALLY GETS RID OF ALL THE FEACES IN THE COLON AND THEREFORE THERE IS NO OUTPUT UNTIL THE FEACES BUILDS UP AGAIN.  I can go a day and a half without any output at all but others have reported that they can go for 2 days or more without output.  What this means is that we can do away with bags altogether, No pancaking, no leaks, no having to find toilets and no worries. Our lives have become much more manageable and all the hassle is condensed into the period it takes to irrigate. 

The general consensus amongst irrigators is that the  process and results are very effective and well worthwhile.

I do hope you give it a try and feel the benefits.

Best wishes

Bill 

Thank you so much. I will definitely look into this.  

Thank you for your reply. I do use the belt. I will look into Torbot Bonding Cement.