What can be done about odors.
VRaven9
Oct 16, 2020 6:53 pm
xnine
Oct 16, 2020 7:34 pm
A lot of people use M9. Others are DIY and use Tic Tacs, peppermint oil, baking powder. Check premium content.
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Posted by: Karen & Stella
Fay,
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
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Puppyluv56
Oct 16, 2020 9:16 pm
Nothing works as well as we would like it to, but all the above suggestions help to mask the odor. Some better than others. I tried so many things and was disgusted by all of it. The best thing that I did was make my own poop potpourri.
Just using scented oils, lemon grass, or cinnamon and rubbing alcohol. 80% alcohol. Just add a few drops, maybe six, eight, or more. That's up to your sense of smell as to how much you put in. Put it in a spray bottle. You can spray some down into the pouch. I would avoid the stoma. Or it is good to add to the toilet water prior to emptying or to the air in the bathroom. It is a very cheap version of the regular potpourri that you buy for eight and ten dollars for a little teeny tiny bottle. One little bottle of lemon grass or cinnamon oils at Walmart is five dollars, maybe, and then a bottle of alcohol. That fills up a spray bottle many times.
Hope you find what works best for you.
Puppyluv56
Oct 16, 2020 10:54 pm
Depends on how big your spray bottle is. If it is small like the potpourri spray bottles, maybe only 5 or 6 drops. If it is bigger, the size of the M9 bottle that I use, I put 10 or 12. Start with 5 or 6. If it is not strong enough, add more and shake it up. Spray around you. The strength is a personal preference but of course with our odor, a little more scent is better!
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mild_mannered_super_hero
Oct 16, 2020 11:00 pm
Have you ever considered irrigation? I see you are a cancer survivor, most qualify for irrigation. If your bag is empty, there is no odor to control. Regards MMsh
mild_mannered_super_hero
Oct 17, 2020 12:50 am
Irrigation is a process where you empty the colon, normally every 36 hours. You then have no output till you irrigate again. It eliminates leaks, odor, and 90% of gas. To qualify, you need to have some descending colon left and it must be healthy. Most cancer survivors qualify. Most folks who irrigate don't wear a bag but rather a cap or "patch". Irrigation will not work with an ileo. I hope you will consider it; it will give you back a near-normal lifestyle.
lovely
Oct 17, 2020 1:46 am
I use lavender-scented baby oil. It helps the odor and also helps the output slide down in the bag. Good luck and stay safe.
Puppyluv56
Oct 17, 2020 2:39 am
Raven,
I agree with MMSH. Irrigation is the way to go if you have colostomy. I irrigate so I do not have output in between irrigation days. It eliminates all of the odor issues! No embarrassing odor while you are out.
Would be glad to talk more about it if you want.
Puppyluv
VRaven9
Oct 17, 2020 3:20 am
Yes, please. Not sure if I am a candidate... But it sounds so much more doable.
Puppyluv56
Oct 18, 2020 2:45 pm
Hey, I will send you a private message and we can talk about irrigation! If you are not a full member, you can respond to a message.
Pup
Past Member
Oct 19, 2020 7:23 am
I would avoid anything not edible! I drop a peppermint dietary supplement gel cap (gels are oil inside) in my bag.
*Jackkau
Oct 21, 2020 2:21 pm
I find that before I drain, I tear off a few toilet paper tissues, spray them with some Clorox Scentiva, drain, re-cap, then wipe the cap with the sprayed toilet paper.
Past Member
Oct 21, 2020 4:05 pm
Cool! Whatever works!
I'm super sensitive, so I stay away from most substances that aren't natural.
Mabsie Moll
Mar 15, 2023 6:33 am
Regarding odour... I have found when I eat only plant-based foods, no animal products, it leaves little to no odour. But eat meat, dairy, fish etc and it becomes phewwwwweee-ewwweeee-eww!! For that reason, I have cut way back on animal foods, and chew chew chew!.
Ye seem to have access to a lot more extras there in North America than here in Ireland!
Hope it works for you if you give it a go!