Exploring New Ostomy Products Improved My Life

When I first had my ileostomy 20 years ago, I was given Convac System 2 closed pouches, 2-piece, and stoma paste, and that's all I tried until last year. I thought the product was okay, even though I probably had a leak every week and it didn't stick great if I went swimming. Due to having lots of leaks, I was quite red and sore. But when I had a hernia repair last year, I asked the stoma nurse if I could try something new. I wanted something more flush to the skin and a drainable bag. I was quite happy with the look of my new bag and also got given a pair of Comfizz boxers, which were great. They were high-waisted, which helps stop ballooning of the bag and made me feel a lot more secure. Unfortunately, the new bag and flange weren't good for me as my new stoma was a bit inverted and not very straight, so I was having about 5 leaks a day. So, I went back to the nurse and tried a Hollister brand. It wasn't as flush as the other but stuck a lot better to my skin, and now I only leak about once a month. I also have powder and creams for when I'm sore, but the Comfizz boxers have made living with the bag a lot better. I looked on the web today and saw there's lots of new stuff to make life with a stoma a bit easier. Also, I'm so glad I found Ostomates; it really helps me accept my situation.

Hi, I'm pleased you're finding something that suits you. I used to use a two-piece for years, but found one day it just wasn't working for me anymore, so I switched to a one-piece. I use a convex flange and it works fine. I use Dansac; it sticks on very well and I hardly have any leaks. This site is great; friends on here are always willing to help and give advice. Pleased you're coming to terms with your ostomy. I've had mine for over 30 years now. I have my ups and downs, but I think it's like that for most of us. I was also pleased when I found the site; it's opened doors to friendship. Take care, ambies.

Hello Ambies, thank you for your comment. It's hard to believe how much happier I am for chatting with members on Ostomates. I'm even thinking of giving that little bugger a name ;]

I named mine stoma Pete.... and my wife is named stoma Sally! lol!!

Hi, I meant to tell you I named mine Alfie. I even wrote a poem about it. It's on my profile if you want to read it, lol ambies.

My Ostomy Journey: Bruce | Hollister

Heyaz, I use a one-piece convex drainable, but having my ileo, I have the unisex boxers and don't care for the pouch losing a lot of water. So, I like more of a lower knicker's, lol. The unisex boxers otherwise I like, not with my pouchy though. Oh, my stoma's name is Cherry, Chezza, or Chez, lol. It's my Aussie slang; I shortened my stoma name. It's just in the blood, I guess. XXXXX My stoma's shape changed too, so that's why I use the convex. It pushes Cheza out that little bit more and no leaks at all. Also, I use a stoma powder and no sting barrier wipe. XX

Thanks for all your positive comments. OK then... GOOSE... it is then. No more calling him a bloody idiot when he gives me a hard time. Now be a good goose and no honking in public!!!

Lol, love the name B4, and honking in public. Cracking up here like the phrase "ambies."

I cannot seem to log onto the chat room... I have a question for anyone who can help answer, as doctors always just say don't worry. I have a colostomy and 2-1/2 months after surgery the bowel fell out into the bag... big time, could not get it back in, couldn't go far for 6 weeks. Had to have surgery again. Meshing in this time, now the stoma was the size of a dime (cute). Now, 3 months later, this stoma is about the size of a quarter, and is out about an inch which it wasn't before. It is not leaking, and is working. But it seems to keep getting bigger. Did anyone else have this situation? I am so afraid it is going to fall out again. This time I can't take off from work or I will lose my job, as I was out for 6 months the first 2 times. Ended up with two infections under the incision. Thank you. Second surgery they did put meshing in.

SPADE, it sounds like they got things right the second time around. One thing you have to remember here is that your stoma will expand and contract; that's normal! It is how the colon and bowel move waste through the body. If you do too much, like lifting things or walking or standing too much, your stoma will stick out and become larger. It is kind of an indicator your body uses to tell you to slow down! When I first went back to work, I didn't last long, about 2 months or so. My stoma came out about 4 inches. I was working 10-hour shifts, 5 days a week, on a punch press feeding tractor parts into the press. Every day after work, I had to take my bag and flange off, lay in bed with a towel around my waist, and wait for things to settle down. After about two weeks of this, I decided my health was WAY more important and quit that job. I found another one where I am not on my feet for long periods of time and not lifting things. I have no issues with my stoma, and other than fatigue, I am managing to work and support my family. There are changes that need to be made now that you are an ostomate. You have to keep your health center stage! If your job is high stress or very physical, you might want to think about finding something else. I know it is a suck-ish job market out there; it would be nice to keep your options open! Hope things work out for you! Dentalguy22

Thank You dentalguy22 it makes sense what you said!

Hey spade I agree with dental guy as well ...If i lost my job because of an Ilness sue those a holes ugh ..Also u can ask the admin if u have dificultys with the chatroom i have too use firefox internet 9 i have too many problems still admin were fixing that late last year !!! thats what they told me ..my stoma is 25cm dont know american metric measuring systems sorry :) I did meet a guy whos stoma fell out i meen right out it was a prolaps but i cant remember what happened to him he is a member of my local ostomy Assoc in australia think he had his operation in russia so not too sure if it was fixable but dont get pushed around you me all of us been through enough if possible and you can get other work , but if it means u loose entitlements i would get my union not sure of your situation good luck ..I call a spade a spade xxxxxxxxx Moozeee xx

I have to wear Convex or it will leak. I have tried everything. I use Coloplast 1 piece, AllKare barrier wipes, stoma wipes, and pink tape to help with the flange. I haven't had a leak in months, but I have to change every day and a half. Sometimes I may get two days, but only because I'm lazy, lol. Good luck to everyone.

To Spade, what do you mean by "your bowel fell out?"

mean

Good morning, Imtheone... you have to bear with me; I'm not sure yet how to get around the system to talk. But you asked me what I meant by "my bowel fell out." Well, I went to change the bag, and my large bowel, what is left of it, was in the bag and fell out about six inches. I had to go to the ER to get it back in; they called it a prolapse. Needless to say, this really threw me. As I had just come home from having half my lung removed, and two months prior is when I had the bowel surgery, so I wasn't ready for this at all. They had to do surgery again to put it back in. So, needless to say, I am so afraid this could happen again. This time, the surgeon put meshing in. I just wonder if anyone else has had this problem. I was on steroids for 40 years, so my muscles aren't what they should be. I just don't know. I am back at work (had to—need insurance, get very tired), but I notice the bowel does pop out more than it had two months ago.

Hey guys...I hear a lot of talk about hernia repair. I have had a hernia, just about from the start. Besides the unsightly bulge, it really does not bother me. What happens when you guys have had to have it repaired?

I am a 41-year ileostomy and in 2008 had a hernia repair. The hernia showed itself at about the 4 o'clock position of the stoma. The GI surgeons tried doing a laparoscopic but due to 41 years of adhesions, they had to do the full Monty! They reinforced the wall of the intestine with mesh, zipped me back up (I had them install a zipper this time for quicker access in the future, if needed!). Prior to surgery, I too had pain, tenderness, purple and gray skin/bulge around the ostomy. All that was taken care of with the surgery. I use a two-piece ConvaTec Durahesive Naturfit Wafer with the flange in the center (all one piece), and then the pouch with tail end closure is also ConvaTec Opaque Pouch. I change the wafer every 7-10 days...the skin around the stoma starts to itch a tad bit as a signal to me 'Mary' needs a new wafer! I cannot imagine having to change daily or several times daily. I wish for you a quick and forever lasting remedy for that. The pouch I use is also ConvaTec tail closure opaque pouch. After emptying, I rinse by pouring a paper cup of water into the pouch, drying, clipping it closed, and I fold it a time or two so it's not long enough to hang below the pant leg of the panty line. Then I'm good till another poop and then I repeat. The pouch lasts about two to three weeks and because with an ileo I have to poop every two hours or in that time frame, I never have an odor. I am in that respect with my equipment, blessed. You take care.

Hernia stories... ahhhhh what fun... not. lol I have had too many repairs to count. :( At any rate, b4life, I'm glad to know that you've found the supplies that work for you. I've had to do the same, switching back and forth until I found something that worked for me. :) Best of luck to you, bud. :D

I went to see my stoma nurse yesterday because I'm a bit sore under the flange and asked to try a one-piece. I got a Coloplast 14807. I wanted to try a one-piece because I was a bit conscious about the ring showing, and a lot of my leaks happen when the bag unclips. The new bag is okay; I don't feel quite as fresh and it seems to be a bit smaller, so it doesn't hold as much. The nurse said to change the whole appliance daily. Is this necessary? P.S. I'm off to Spain tonight, woop woop! I will try to get some new pics up.

@ b 4 life, there's a new bag out by Coloplast that I swear by; it's #15696. I have had a lot of problems over the years. I have tried everything. For me, Coloplast is the only product I will use. It has to be convex cut to fit so you get the proper fit. There's a lot to what I do, and it doesn't take too long. I also use pink tape just for peace of mind. You can get free samples online at coloplast.com and go to free samples. I got mine in three days. I used to have to change my bag every one to one and a half days. It was a nightmare: leaks, pain, bleeding. You can only imagine being afraid to go out because of the problems. My stoma nurse changed my bag one day, and before I got home, it was all over me, and I'm talking about a 20-minute drive, and this was the nurse that changed it. I do it myself now, and it's been a lot of experimenting over the last two-plus years, but I haven't had a leak in months and no more blood or pain. I have been getting 5+ days out of it. Just use deodorant every day that Coloplast also has for sample when you order the bags. It's great, fresh smell with no bag odor. This new product changed my life.

Hi b4, I used to have a one-piece bag and I mostly changed it every day, but I used to have a two-piece bag and that kept coming off. I do find the one-piece stays on much better and I can keep it on for two days, but I feel fresher changing it daily; my skin is in top condition. I don't have many leaks. I use Dansac Convect; the adhesive is great and sticks very well. I've not really looked back since switching to a one-piece. Have a great holiday, tc ambies.

Thanks, imtheone, I'll look into it. Thanks, ambies, it does feel nice to put on a fresh pouch. Sun, sea, and stoma, here I come, lol.

Just enjoy before LOL. I'm going away in September; I can't wait. LOL. Take care, Ambies.

@b4 and ambies, the pouch deodorant works great. Coloplast has a new one out. I used to change every day because I had to, but finding these Coloplast #15696 or 15695 pouches let me go longer with no problems, and you can shower every day. I also use pink tape; it's waterproof. It took me two+ years to get to this point, and I'm loving life again. Good luck with everything and have fun again. Going swimming next week.

My hernia was repaired, but three months on, something besides two falls seems to be wrong. It's back to burning and pain. Ugh, but as usual, it's winter in Melbourne. Our surgeons leave the bloody winter and go to the States or Europe. I feel like I'm in a pickle, and yes, I need a scan, but I'm a bit pissy about appointments at the moment. Sick of them. Ugh :(