How do you keep your pouch dry when showering? I tried a shower cap, but it falls off. I have heard of wrapping it in cling wrap. Does it work, and how do you do it?
Mistymorn
Jan 07, 2024 1:01 am
Justbreathe
Jan 07, 2024 1:12 am
Don't waste your time and money wrapping it - just jump in that shower or bath with the bag on - it won't hurt a thing. I spent many a wasted day and tons of Saran Wrap until I read on this site - NOT NECESSARY - and they were all right. After I learned this, Saran stock plummeted! 😂jb
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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
Axl
Jan 07, 2024 2:32 am
Shower, pat dry, hair dryer, get out of there, fast and efficient, or shower with the bag off.
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Itsme58
Jan 07, 2024 4:21 am
Getting my bag wet doesn't hurt it. I also take the showerhead and rinse my bag out in the shower because I have a bathroom sink that has a spray nozzle on it. I spray water in my bag, empty it in the toilet, and I just get a little cleaner when I go in the shower. All I do is towel dry it off. They do have covers that you can use for swimming or hot tubs. When you put a cover on it, they're waterproof, and you can use those, but I don't see a point in it. Every time I go in the bathroom, I rinse my bag because I just can't be stinky. It's probably a slight denial, even though I've accepted my stoma is permanent. No, I keep it really clean. I don't have a bathtub, so I don't take baths, just showers. Please find it getting wet doesn't hurt it because it's plastic and Velcro. Always have a good day.
Rose Bud 🌹
Jan 07, 2024 4:24 am
I used to use a shower guard I got off Amazon and it still would get wet... As people said already, just shower with it on... put your back towards the shower head until you need to turn around and just blow dry your bag and wafer tape... or if your stoma isn't active at the moment, if I'm in a hurry, blow dry your wafer and change the bag if you have a 2-piece... and make sure you don't heat it too much, just enough to dry it.
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AlexT
Jan 07, 2024 10:09 am
Cling wrap is worthless. You want to keep your bag dry? Take it off, shower, dry well, put a fresh new bag on. Or, if it's not bag change day, shower, dry yourself off, wrap the bag loosely in a towel and let the towel absorb the water, blow dry with a hairdryer if you want.
Justbreathe
Jan 07, 2024 1:48 pm
Exactamundo, exactamente, exactly! Remove that bag and enjoy your shower, or if the bag has a few days left on it, jump in the shower, wash it off with soap, rinse it off, and tap dry. The tape will hold (in the pool for an hour dancing, and it holds up to that), and if you don't dry it, it will dry soon, especially in summertime. I am not sure about cold—I left the frozen tundra back in '73—but a hair dryer sounds like a good plan….jb
eefyjig
Jan 07, 2024 4:03 pm
If you have a morning where you really don't want to shower with your bag off because your stoma is active and/or you want to keep your bag dry because you don't want or have the time to dry it properly before starting your day, you can use Cling Free wrap and tape the edges down. The only downside is that you have to move less in order to not disturb the tape, and that's not the most relaxing way to shower, but it does work in a pinch.
Heppy8
Jan 08, 2024 10:51 am
I just bought a showerproof bag cover off eBay. Not totally waterproof but helps.
IGGIE
Jan 08, 2024 4:40 pm
After a shower, just sandwich the bag between the towel, and it will be dry before you put your clothes on. Regards, IGGIE
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Hisbiscus
Jan 12, 2024 11:09 am
Press and seal with a waterproof tape like HyTape, but you have to tape it just right. Sometimes overlap another layer of tape at the edges. It's quite expensive to do on a daily basis, but I will do this once in a while. If you can get your insurance to pay for the HyTape by asking your doctor to write a prescription to your medical supply company. I can't shower with mine on without ruining my seal. I guess the soap, shampoo, and conditioner get on it.