Ostomy Bag Gas Issues During Holidays: Seeking Advice

Merry Christmas to all Ostomates!

Need advice—my bag fills with gas a lot and often. Any ideas on what I can do to help with this problem? I've tried anti-gas pills orally and in the bag with no success. It doesn't matter what I eat.
Thanks.

Hi. Happy holidays to you as well.

It seems likely that what you eat will cause gas. But you ruled that out... foods... diet... hmm.

Not eating also causes gas—an empty stomach.

I don't know what to say, but I lean towards watching food intake. Make a journal.

Those bag filters really don't work well.

Could you be sucking in too much air as you eat? No straws.

Hi Kimy, gas is just part of our life. We notice it more now. A few things that help are making sure that you chew very well, limit your sweets, avoid gum chewing, drinking from a straw, and carbonated drinks. I also use Gas-X to help. Good luck. I am sure others will pipe in with what helps them. Another mention, which I think you already know, is avoiding foods that cause excess gas.

Do you wear a 2-piece appliance? If you do, you can burp the bag (open the top part that clips on just a little) and the air will come out. You probably know how to do this already.

Do you drink soda or use a straw when you drink? Those things can cause gas.

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Actually the more healthy a person eats the more gas you can have. I really don’t have much gas regularly and I eat/drink all the stuff you mention to not eat. 😁 Could also be a difference between colostomy and ileostomy . 🤷‍♂️

Lol Alex, ileostomy  here. 

Hi Kimy,

There is a valve type fitting you could put on the upper part of your colostomy pouch; it's called OSTO-EZ-VENT. Some stoma nurses do not approve of them because it's another point where you could have a leakage. They say you should manage your food intake more closely. I have now decided to obtain these fittings, which are not too expensive privately, and have found it so much easier to release the gas in my pouch. You would have to Google Osto-Ez-Vent to see where you can obtain them. I have found them to be a godsend, and it has made my life so much better. Hope this will help you, as it did me. Incidentally, I have never had a leakage from this fitting. Good luck. God bless.