Tips for Preventing Ostomy Bag Pancaking

Does anyone have suggestions on ostomy bag pancaking?

Do you have an ileostomy or a colostomy? Solutions can be a little different depending on your type of ostomy. There are many reasons for pancaking, from sleep position, the type of appliance you are using, your body type, etc. If you search for "pancaking" here, you will get a ton of hits. It's a popular subject. :-)

Can you describe your issue? When are you most likely to encounter pancaking? Is it when you sleep? Or is it a constant issue, whether you are upright or prone? Pancaking is caused by stool that sits around your stoma and causes a breakdown in your seals. This often happens with thick stool, although any form of stool that is allowed to accumulate around your stoma will do the trick. Sometimes, the appliance is at fault. Like maybe you are using a flat barrier instead of convex. Or maybe you need to use barrier rings as an addition to your wafer.

More information about your situation would be really helpful.

Daniel

As Mose said, knowing more info on what you have going on will help. We, as a group, have lots of advice. My take, having an ileostomy, is that you may need a little more liquid in your diet. That may not be your solution, but I'm just giving you something, trying to help.

I have been having this issue, not necessarily with it staying that way, but with it clogging/ruining the filter on my bags. I sleep on my right side, with a pillow pressed up against me.

I'm not sure how to get around this, besides peeling off and re-sticking my bag sideways at night (which I am considering!)

What bags are you using? Filters on ostomy pouches are notorious for getting plugged in about 27 minutes. :-)

Daniel

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hollister two-piece

For pancaking, keep a little air in the bag around your stoma. (But you either have to cover the filter or go with filterless bags.) And like Mysterious Mouse said, filters are known to get clogged.

Coloplast Sensura Mio Flex two-piece.

I had no problems in the hospital or probably for the first week I've been home, but as I've been home, I've moved around more at night, and I also started snacking later in the evening (which I didn't do in the hospital).

Filters are basically worthless. Air in the bag, lubricant, more fluids; rinse your bag out when you empty it to keep it clean.

Yes. I use the Hollister two-piece as well. The filter is pretty much useless. I've heard the same about other vendors.

I do rinse when I empty and use lubricant every time. I could probably use to have more fluids; my output is pretty solid.

I wondered why they sold bags without a filter; I'm starting to get it.

I use Hollister two-piece. I do have a hernia. I think trying another appliance might be good, but I don't even know what to try. It pancakes even while I am just sitting in my chair. What is the convex? I don't really know what else to try. I am trying to drink more water and do have a lubricant that helps some.

What lubricant do you prefer?

So I was given samples of the Brava in the packets. I liked it, so I bought a box. Before I even opened it, my sister brought me a “care package” and brought me Safe & Simple (unscented) deodorant and lubricant; I use that at home - it's in a large bottle. I use the packets when I go out.

Then my insurance provider sent me a box, and they have another large bottle of lubricating deodorant - not sure of the brand? I have the one my sister gave me.

I have not noticed a difference, except the Brava has a scent - I like the packets for my purse.

There are two basic types of wafers. One is flat and the other is convex. The convex is best if your stoma does not protrude very much from your body. The convex will help "push" it out more. My stoma protrudes almost two inches, but I still use the convex barrier. I find it seals better, especially when I use a thin barrier ring, as well.

Daniel

I requested a sample of a convex bag, and the rep said, “Well, if yours protrudes, you won't need it!”

I mean, isn't that what samples are for, to see if something might work better?

And that's when you say one of two things: 1) it doesn't, and I'd like to try your product, or 2) I guess I'll go with another company for my business.

Pancaking: The best management is to use a combination lubricant/deodorant that many of the ostomy manufacturers offer. I use Hollister Adapt Lubricant. No pancaking problems.

So, you have an ileostomy. During your multiple bag empties a day, how many times do you add lubricant? If only once or twice, do you rinse your bag during dumps? I ask this because the lubricant is stupidly expensive. If it is used after every dump, one will run out soon. And Medicare is not as generous as my private insurance was.

Thanks,

Daniel

New Ostomate, what are filters really for? I thought it was to keep the pouch from ballooning from gas. How does it relate to pancaking?

You are correct. The intended purpose is to vent gas, although they normally fail within a day of use. Pancaking can happen from a few causes. If the output is too thick, or if the output can't move to the bottom of the bag, a little gas in the bag will help that. If the bag is completely empty of gas, it's kind of like a vacuum; output can build up around the stoma and cause leakage.

Mine is thick, and the pancaking happens when I have output at night.

I'm trying to drink more water and stop eating at least 3 hours before bed (which helps with sleep quality, indigestion, and all kinds of benefits).

I'm an ileo and use a Hollister 2-piece with an 8805 ring. The sitting position can be disastrous for me. I've tried lube and toilet paper in the bag with no help. My stoma is right at the beltline, and I wear suspenders. After sitting for an extended amount of time and feeling activity from the stoma, I get up and move around. If I do that soon enough, the output flows down the bag. It seems like any pressure in front of the stoma causes pancaking for me. I'm pretty active and tried a Stealth Belt, and that made the problem worse. I cut an opening in the expensive Stealth Belt opposite of the stoma. This relieved any pressure in front of the stoma but still had support for the pouch. Anymore, I use either a Coloplast or the Hollister belts and don't sit for long.

With a good rinse job, I can get 2 days from the filter.