When you change your bag does that day count as day 1? I changed mine this morning and usually change it every 3 or 4 days.
So would Thursday be day 3 or Friday be the third day? Today is Tuesday.
AL77
Nov 26, 2024 8:20 pm
xnine
Nov 26, 2024 8:34 pm
Tuesday say at noon to Wednesday at noon is 1 day, so Friday would be 3 days. That is how I count it. If you get a blowout on Tuesday you have not lasted a day.
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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
infinitycastle52777
Nov 26, 2024 8:36 pm
I count the day I change it as day 1. I change every 3 to 4 days also depending on how dirty the bag is. If it isn't that bad I might go to 4 days if it's yellow and gross I will change it on day 3. But I always count the day I change it as day 1. Especially if I change it in the morning. Because then it's all day that day.
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Beachboy
Nov 26, 2024 9:24 pm
I usually change the wafer every Sunday. Unless I'm lazy. Then I stretch it to Wednesday. I use a 2 piece Hollister system, so change bags every 3 or 5 days.
AlexT
Nov 26, 2024 9:25 pm
Does it matter whichever way you count it, there's no exact timeline. I go more by how much I poop, my activities, convenience on when to do it, etc. Ideally, I do it when my work week starts and then again at the end of my work week so I don't have to mess with it on my weekend, but that's not always the best times. 🤷♂️
TerryLT
Nov 27, 2024 12:49 am
Does it really matter, as long as you are changing as often as needed? I change once a week, ie, every Thursday.
Terry
w30bob
Nov 27, 2024 3:06 am
Hi AL,
A day is 24 hours, so Day 1 is from when you change your barrier to the next day, same time. Pretty simple stuff.
:O)
Axl
Nov 27, 2024 7:31 am
Hi Al
You are over thinking this, there are no rules or standards, change it when you need to, simple as that.
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IGGIE
Nov 27, 2024 12:41 pm
G-Day Al, I change every Monday for the week and every Friday for the weekend. The day you change is Day 1. Regards, IGGIE
Queenie
Nov 28, 2024 10:06 am
I change mine between 3 and 5 times a day. Am I doing something wrong?
IGGIE
Nov 28, 2024 1:01 pm
3 to 5 days is perfect. But it's what works for you. Some go longer, but I think that's when things start to go wrong. If it works for you, then stick with it. Regards, IGGIE
w30bob
Nov 28, 2024 3:11 pm
Yes... yes you are! I suggest you post your details on here and let us help you out! Quickly.
;-)
w30bob
Nov 28, 2024 3:13 pm
Igg'ster.....you read that wrong. She said between 3 and 5 times a day, not a week!!!! Hopefully, it was a typo on her part.
;O)
warrior
Nov 28, 2024 3:15 pm
Why change it this often? 3 to 5 times a day? Typo? That's nuts! Details please!
Agree with wbob.
Queenie
Nov 29, 2024 10:38 am
I have a colostomy, does that change things?
My bag is sealed and it fills and then I change it. I don't know what wafers are, mine is a single sealed unit, I believe it is because I have flappy hands, all the better to slap Boris Johnson with. Yesterday was a record, I had to change it downstairs, and by the time I got upstairs I had to change it again. That was exceptional.
I think I may have a different type of bag to you lot, but I now understand why my GP practice ordered 10 bags last month as a month's supply. I thought they were just being mean!
Queenie
Nov 29, 2024 10:42 am
Hi Warrior. I replied to w30bob, can you see that, or do I need to respond individually to communicate? (Asking genuinely, not snarky, I'm just not sure how this works, and I don't trust my brain these days. 2 months in ITU left my once brilliant brain fried.)
warrior
Nov 29, 2024 12:45 pm
Hi, just post your answer and say "see above"; we all will see your reply. No need to repeat. I have an ileostomy. You said you have a colostomy.
Output is different.
Can you post a pic of your bag unit? You said it's a complete thing? Sounds unique.
Fried brains? Sounds like a zombie dessert for Thanksgiving. 🦃👍
Queenie
Nov 30, 2024 5:10 pm
Yeah, regarding brains and dessert, I was thinking about serving it with spray cream to get more creative.
This is what Sadie Stoma's wardrobe consists of, available in beige and grey. Sorry, the picture won't transfer, but this is the link.
Past Member
Nov 30, 2024 7:06 pm
Something definitely excessive about needing that many changes in a single day, especially with a colostomy. How long have you been doing this? Is it a change or has it always been this way? How does your peristomal skin handle these changes? What has your surgeon and/or ostomy care team said about the frequency of changing? Not really an interrogation, but it does raise many questions and concerns!
xnine
Nov 30, 2024 7:43 pm
I often can go 10+ days before I change out. Most times there is a little seepage, but my skin is fine. I use a skin prep and Salts ring with aloe. I find this works best.
AlexT
Nov 30, 2024 8:04 pm
I lose a lot in translation from other countries. Do you use a drainable bag? If you do and you’re changing that 3-5 per day to a new bag, something is wrong. If you’re using a closed bag(not drainable), then that’s probably pretty normal. If you are using a closed bag, I’d suggest using a 2 piece system so you can just take a full bag off and put a new one on without having to change out the wafer(the sticky part on your skin). Our skin isn’t meant to keep going thru having stuff stuck to it and peeling it off continuously. The less you have to do that, 1) the better for your skin and 2) the less stressful having an ostomy becomes.