I found this forum while researching how to help my elderly mother adapt to a new bag, when the Karaya 5 was discontinued. I became my mother's caregiver 2 years ago and change the bag for her. At 95 she is still able to empty the bag, but the new material, which is thinner plastic, is very upsetting to her. She has never accepted change well now or in the past. She also still wants some independence and refuses to let me help her with the emptying of the bag. She feels, that due to the thinner material, she is not able to empty it completely and has to rinse it out multiple times. Does anyone know of a slightly heavier plastic ostomy bag still available to use? Unfortunately, she is a creature of habit and is having several meltdowns not being able to adjust to the new thinner material. She also uses the clamp closure due to her arthritic hands. Thank you!
95 yrs old? That's awesome.
Good luck with helping change her ways and finding a decent appliance.
It's not a bag change. It's the entire set-up.
Each brand has their own thing.
I never heard of that brand you mentioned, but you can contact each manufacturer for free samples to determine what she likes. A stoma nurse should be able to help her and you, but it's the nurse's job to provide that info.
You will need to know her stoma size before ordering anything. Then take it from there. And is it an ileo or colostomy?
It will take time and patience for sure. Hang in there helping your mom. Once an appliance is to her liking, you are both on easy street. And it won't cost you but a phone call into the manufacturer.
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Geekyjen,
Thanks for the reply. I will be seeing my doctor on Friday and mention Entyvio. I did not remain paralyzed for more than 2 days, but it was terrible and I was so scared. The doctors just used alot of xanax and other drugs like that to UN paralyze my joints that were being attacked by the remicade. Turns out I have been diagnosed with LUPUS. It is attacking my nervous system. I had ulcerative colitis in 1996 and they had to remove my colon. Had a J pouch for 10 years, until it started failing. I then got a permanent iliosomy, and I suffer from severe chronic diareha, and I dehydrate frequently. I recently had a proctectomy, and that is when the new autoimmune disorder, Lupus, appeared. I have had two hospital stays now because of the blisters and the paralyzing incident. I will be dealing with this forever now. I have just been working on acceptance.
I love this website because of wonderful people like you!
Betty
Thank you! Yes it's finding the middle ground in her adapting. We have spoken with Home Health and I have called multiple medical supply companies with no luck in finding a slightly heavier plastic for her. Keeping fingers crossed.
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Hi there,
So your best bet is to call each manufacturer and ask for samples. You won't get many samples through the distribution companies. Also, it might be tough to find them these days, as it seems these companies are changing the quality of the product. I know the brand I use; I have used them for 3 years, and in the past year, I have noticed a decline in the thickness of the plastic. The best bet, like I said above, is to call manufacturers, get samples, and try to find one she likes.
At 95 years old, she’s adapted to all kinds of changes throughout the years in all aspects of her life. Order samples, explain to her that the old bags aren’t made anymore and she can pick which one she likes best so it’s her decision and not someone telling her what to use.
Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister
Hi Lilymo, welcome to the site. What a good daughter you are; I hope my girls would be so helpful.
I think the Coloplast Mio, but ask for it without the filter, and the Convatec ActiveLife have about the thickest plastic out there. However, the ActiveLife has a smaller opening and a clip, whereas the Coloplast Mio has Velcro and a larger opening. You can call the companies for samples.