Advice on Salts stoma bags for UK ostomates?

Black bags or any non-see-through bags would be awesome! But then again, how many insurance would cover them?

You're welcome, Abe.

Rosebud.

My Blue Cross insurance does cover opaque appliances in nude and gray. I absolutely loathe the transparent appliances and only use those in an emergency. I just feel unclean wearing a transparent pouch. Of the companies available to us in the US, I prefer the Coloplast gray. Hollister has ballooning issues and the pouches pill up and look like an old pair of sweats after a day or two. For some reason, I just can't stand Convatec pouches. Ballooning is a major reason, but it's not something I can put my finger on. I just don't like them. It's all about what works for the individual. I know several that can't stand my preferred Coloplast. I do know that lots of us Yanks want to try the Salts Confidence BE® and now that we are aware of it, the Pelican ModaVi platinum with vitamin E. The black appliances just look so sleek. I may even want to try a white one to see if I can keep it clean.

Thanks for the info. I have that insurance too, but because I'm not able to go back to work, it's state insurance for right now. I also use the Convatec bags, and I have problems with ballooning mostly at night. After a day or two, they also look like they're wrinkled right out of the dryer. I have no idea if it's because it's a two-piece. The Hollister bags I used to use when I first got out of the hospital were a one-piece, and I had way too many problems. So, I'll look into seeing if I can get a sample and go from there. I had no idea it was available. THANKS

OK, so update: I'm no longer liking the Salts bags for me because when my output is more watery, it starts leaking from the outlet. The Salts bags will be good if your output is always more formed, such as with a colostomy. With my higher output ileo, however, I'm gonna have to regrettably say no. My output always goes more watery at least once a day, usually overnight when I'm only drinking water/juice, so by the end of the night it started staining my knickers. So I'm currently wearing the sometimes-itchy Coloplast bag, this one is convex again. I'm gonna look into trying Pelican, I'll see if I can order some of their ModaVi samples.

Meadow,

Oh no, I am so sorry...

I am a Coloplast user too. I can't remember if you said you have tried the skin protective sheet. Is the irritated skin right around the stoma like a red ring or on the rest of the skin?

The skin in general, it feels more like an allergy-to-the-glue itch rather than an output-hitting-the-skin itch. Although I do get the latter occasionally as well, hence trying the convex bags. I've now ordered some samples from Pelican, so we'll see how that goes. Once I have tried the Pelican bags, I'll talk with my stoma nurse and start thinking about what other products I can use alongside the bag.

Sun Jun 26, 2022 9:18 pm
Hi Meadow Snow, I know how you feel, but I had an ileostomy back in 2013 for emergency reasons and am currently waiting for a reversal, but in the beginning my surgeon did not tell me much. I had to find out for myself by experimenting, but one thing my stoma nurse told me in the first few months is to make sure I eat one thing every day with salt in it as you will be losing salt from your stoma and this will make you feel lethargic if not replaced. I started eating one pack of ready salted crisps every day because of this and it made a major difference to my energy levels. If you are now facing the prospect of endless products to use, here is something I hope will help. Ok :>

To prevent leaks, why not order flange extenders by Brava who also do the powder and spray that is in your video. I use them and I have not had a leak since, so try them and see how you go. I forgot to mention that if you see your doctor, you can get a Medical Card so that all your stoma equipment as well as your prescriptions are FREE and this lasts for 5 YEARS and then they send you a new one and so on as long as you have your stoma every 5 years. I also know that Brava also have wipes that help when you have sore skin called cleansing wipes and they help cool the skin around your stoma and that you get 3 packets in a box. Also, ask your delivery company if they have mattress protectors for your bed in case of leaks in the night and also if they have complimentary bed protector sheets as I use these when I change my bag. I tuck one end just inside my underwear and let the remaining rest on my bed with all the other bits I need around when changing, and then when finished, I wrap the sheet tight with the old bag inside and then put it in the disposable bags that go in the bin. Also, if your seals are no good, then try Hollister's "CERA RINGS" as I have just started to use them and I have found that they are better than any other seal that I have used, which is why I told I no longer suffer from leaks. Hope this helps:> P.S. The Flange extenders by Brava are actually called "Brava Tape". I only have an occasional leak but nothing major, but I was told by a Fellow Ostomate which is what they call us people with Stomas, that always try new products and not to rely on one product because over time there is always something better if you develop problems later down the line.

This is what I do now, as I have a parastomal hernia alongside my stoma therefore I have to alternate between two types of bag, one which has the biggest baseplate you can get for the two-piece and then I have my standard size baseplate, and this works as I do not get used to one type. If you want a reliable delivery company then I would recommend Securicare, who are based in Hertfordshire and I have never had a problem with delivery and if you forget to ring them to order supplies, they will ring you and ask what you require. They will ring at least once a month to check. I was with a company called "Bullen" and I made an order one day, but never received it and I phoned for a new order and had the same problem so went with Securicare and have never looked back. They are very friendly and caring, and if you need to change products, then they will inform your local GP.

Anyway, I hope this helps and just take it easy. It took me seven months to get back to normal. Keep a diary, so that you can see what foods make your output thick/thin and also what reacts with your bowel that will cause you pain. This way it will help you avoid foods that cause you grief. Take care, Sister Ostomate. :>

I tried the salts ones, they stuck to my skin and made it really hard to get off even with adhesive remover spray and wipe!
I use the Coloplast Sensura Mio, but I also use the Brava barrier film wipe by Coloplast too x

Got to agree, some nurse gave me a selection of bags. Only ones reliable were the salts.