I have had an ileostomy since 1978. The biggest problem I have is traveling gas buildup in the pouch; the filters that come with these pouches really don't work well; they get wet. I use a two-piece pouch. I eat very little the day of traveling. I've only had one accident on the plane, and that was in the restroom. I opened the door. I told the stewardess my problem, and she fetched my bag with my extra clothes that I always carry with me. It was my fault because I was in a rush, and I pulled off the bag by mistake. I always carry an extra pouch in my back pocket and an extra clip.
donaldepstein765
Feb 07, 2025 11:09 am
warrior
Feb 07, 2025 11:41 am
Welcome Donald.
Good to have you. And I hope you can contribute a wealth of knowledge being a long-time osty.
No surprise about bag filters.
They don't work. But by now you should know what foods to avoid to prevent gas.
And foods do that.
Also, there are pills to control gas.
I use the hydration I.V. too.
But mix it up by drinking many good fluids. It gets boring on one drink alone. One flavor...one type.
At least...for me it does.
Welcome wagon on the way.
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Posted by: Primeboy
Hi Mike and all. I am not sure how panoramic my perspective really is as my peripheral vision shrinks with each passing year. I can tell you that when I came to this website six years ago I was truly ;impressed by the positive attitudes of so many members, especially the younger folks who refused to let their ostomies define who they were or what they would become. I also came to appreciate that having an ostomy is not the same thing as having a disease. Pardon ;my pun now, but ostomies and cancer don't belong in the same bag. One is a solution, the other is a problem. Celebrating National Ostomy Day ;is also well outside my comfort zone. That's like celebrating National Wheel Chair Day. Come on!
I think there is a ;need for improved ;public awareness of ostomies, but I am not sure how that's best done. There ;remains ;some social stigma attached to our situation, and it's acutely felt among our young. We need to get out of the dark ages on this issue, but not by going 'in your face' to everyone else. I think Bill and NDY are 'spot-on' when it comes to telegraphing the right message to friends and family. People will know how to react when they ;see ;how we accept the cards we were dealt. I also appreciate the contribution some people here are making to this effort through their publications.
On a personal note, my son has been suffering from ulcerative colitis for years just like I did. I am very concerned because people with UC are at a higher risk for colon cancer. Years ago my GI told me to get annual colonoscopies to be on the safe side. I am glad I did because he eventually found pre-cancerous cells which led to several surgeries and my becoming an ostomate. Since then I have always ;conveyed a positive attitude to ;my son about wearing a bag because it has kept me alive to enjoy many more years with my loved ones. I think he got the message. We both go to the same gastroenterologist in NYC and get scoped on the same day. Father and Son moments!
Someone once wrote that our children are the letters we write to the future.
PB
Ben38
Feb 07, 2025 3:21 pm
Same never found filters to be of any use. I dropped so many of those slam-down closure clips down the toilet, not to mention where the clips used to dig into me! I was so pleased when Velcro closure bags came out. You can always make a few pinholes at the top of the bag, then put a plaster/band-aid over them. Then, when the bag fills with gas, pull it off and apply pressure with your hand on the bag to release gas and put the band-aid back on.
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bobwilson5999
Feb 07, 2025 5:07 pm
Interesting. I have an Illy and use pouches that have filters. I haven't had to burp my pouch for more than 6 months... go figure ????
TerryLT
Feb 07, 2025 11:07 pm
Welcome, Donald. I use a pouch with a filter, only because the specific pouch I like doesn't come without it. I put a piece of tape over the filter, as I've found it useless anyway, and have even had output leak out through the filter a couple of times.
Terry
My Ostomy Journey: April | Hollister
