Leak at Work: Seeking Ostomy Advice and Bag Recommendations

Well, I had a leak at work today. Changed the pouch this morning and apparently nicked the tail Velcro closure and made a tiny hole. I didn't realize I had a leak until getting up from a web meeting at my desk and realized the moist feeling on my right thigh was not from sweat. I had my surgery back in April 2011, and I have to admit that I've been living in a bit of denial about having an ileostomy. I found this forum late last year, and it has been helping. Any “ostomy@ work” advice would be appreciated. Also, filter or no filter on a bag? Which is best? Thanks and love you all.

If you caused the leak, there is not much we can help you with on that one. Maybe you do, but I'd recommend wearing a wrap or belt that covers your bag to provide another line of defense.

Bring an emergency appliance change and spare clothes to work.

Shit happens.

Different story, but I once noticed some suspicious dampness on my leg. It was right after dinner, and I'm thinking, did I spill something? But then it got worse. Eventually, I figured out that a safety pin had come open and poked a small hole in my urostomy bag. I was slowly leaking urine. I never found the hole, but I changed bags, and the leak stopped. No more safety pins for me! Lol

But I think a problem is almost inevitable. Whether it's a manufacturing defect or our own doing, sooner or later, something will go wrong. The best we can do is prepare to minimize the impact.

This happened to me a couple of weeks ago at work. I changed my bag at work.

On my next change, I had another leak. It turned out the box of bags was defective when 4 bags out of the 20 were leaking at the tail end. The distributor replaced the box.

Knocks your confidence for a day or two, but won't be long until you're back to yourself again.

Spoil yourself for once and have a treat, something you don't eat or drink very often, and watch one of your favorite comedies and have a good laugh. Laughter is the best medicine!

None of us are perfect; we all make mistakes at times and even get led into a false sense of security that we will never have a leak. But as you've seen for yourself, it always happens at some point. You know what was wrong, so that's a good thing and problem solved.

Over 30 years since I had my ileo, I'm far from perfect. I still make mistakes and just laugh to myself about them.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

My opinion of filters is that they are not worth it. They get clogged and stop working nearly as soon as you make an appliance change. At least mine do.

I agree with what people said above about bringing a change of clothes and a change of appliance with you to work or wherever you go. Wearing a wrap can help with leaks and prevent them from being so noticeable on your clothes. I have a wrap that I wear when I go swimming, and I think it is great. I think it could work out of the water too. You put the bag inside of it and zip it shut. So that gives added protection. When you want to empty it, you just unzip, pull the bag out, empty it, and then put it back inside and go about your day. It cost me $80, but it was well worth it. I have never had an issue in the pool.

I'm glad you found this site and that it helps. Inevitably, something can happen, but like others said, just prepare as best you can.

If it weren't for these folks, I wouldn't have learned great tips from them.

I too have had to change bags at work, and it sucks, but I had all the extras. I have changed at a rest stop too. And two years ago, I even flew from the East Coast to the West with no issue.

We gotta take it in stride.

G-Day Wannabenormal,

Sorry to hear about your accident, but we have all had them, and we are still here to laugh about it.

I have made a few emergency bags of clothes and products. I have one in the car, and you can leave one at work in your desk. I have also given a couple of my close friends bags to keep at their house, as I visit them often.

Shit happens, but be ready for it.

Regards, IGGE

OK. So first of all, let me get the filter on a bag question answered. I have no idea what the filter does on an ostomy bag for somebody that has an ileostomy. Unless you guess production is .0001 of mine, that little filter serves no useful purpose.

As for your leak. First of all, you are the only person who knows why there was a wet spot on your pants. Even if you have coworkers that know you have an ostomy, they still are not going to guess what that wet spot on your pants is. So take a breath there.

I carry a backpack with me. Quite frankly, since I'm a guy, I have found that an ostomy has a plus side. Women get to carry purses. What do we have? Our right pant pocket. Now that I have an ostomy, I have to carry a knapsack. I can carry more stuff than my daughter does in her huge Coach purse.

Back to being serious. In my bag, I have pants, underpants, a shirt, and a towel, which I hope never to have to wrap around my waist. I have a kit that includes an entire system change as well as powder, skin preps, adhesive remover, skin wipes, paper towels, hydrocortisone cream, and lidocaine cream. You name it, I have it.
In a Ziploc bag inside this kit is my pouch, my flange, my barrier ring, and four skin preps. The powder and adhesive remover are prominently in front of the bag. Everything else sits in a separate pocket but is still in the bag.

I have everything I could possibly need. The only possible reason I could think I'd need a towel is if my bag exploded, and that has never happened.
My worst “leak” was a whole lot more than a leak. My bag had filled with air. Well, I thought it was air.

I get gassy at work, and if no one is around, I know it is disgusting, but I will burp my bag. Well, I never eat breakfast, but that morning I ate breakfast. So when I went to burp my bag… you guessed it. It wasn't gas! Half a bag full all over my T-shirt, the waist of my pants, and the right upper part of my pants. Now I work in Lowe's. It's a very bright environment, and there are lots of people around.

My shirt was stained, my red work vest was disgustingly wet, my pants were stained, everything was stained. With my backpack held in front of my pants, I went to the restroom. I went into the bathroom, I got in a stall. I went through an entire packet of skin wipes (I actually buy Huggies diaper wipes, and I add water, shake it up, and this way I have relatively wet wipes that are gentle on the skin).

So all of the above to say: Be prepared, find something else to worry about, and please know that no one is looking at you. You really are the only one who saw that stain on your pants. From the sound of it, even if you did not have a leak kit, no one would have noticed. Make sure you have a leak kit. And seriously, it really is not a big deal.

That was a long ramble. Hope it helps.

I wonder if we both are dealing with the same company. Every once in a while, I will get a box of bags that no matter how tightly I roll it up or how hard I ensure the Velcro is fastened as tightly as it can be, I still get leakage. I look at the bags versus the ones that are fine, and for the life of me, 13 months later, I still can't figure it out. Luckily, I have an awesome supply company.

It is strange. Coloplast 15821. Leaks are rare. I always put a bit of toilet paper in the bag. It seems to help with any leaking of the M9.

You had surgery 14 years ago, and you're looking for some tips.

I just put a bag on and go to work. I had two small leaks in 8 years; there are no secrets to know, just go to work.

I use B. Braun bags with a filter and have never had an issue with them. A lot of people aren't fans of the filter bag.

What is the bag to use for swimming? I have to get one and get back to swimming. I'm scared to get back to aquatic aerobics.

OsteoElmer

I have an ileostomy, almost 3 years now, and I change it twice a week. I have had 2 leaks, and they were my fault, so I have a huge amount of confidence in the product: Convetec Natural 2 piece, #421462 flange, #839002 seal, and #416422 pouch. I am 6' 6" tall, so I must stand to empty the pouch. I found flushable and biodegradable doggie bags on Amazon; they work great at any toilet or outdoors in a hole. I have a backpack with clothes, towels, and complete appliance changes, although I have never had to use it. My pack is always with me. Terry

Hey Infinity, thanks for the response. What is this wrap you wear? Please send a link for the product.

Hey Maried - thanks! Also, what bag/manufacturer do you use? Another comment on here talks about Velcro tails that have a leaking problem. I've noticed as well, it's not necessarily a "leak" but a seeping of fluid into the tail sections, and that usually comes with an odor. And, just like Smiitty4516 said, it doesn't seem to matter how the Velcro matches up; the subtle seepage happens randomly - luckily, I haven't had any of that leak out onto underwear or clothes. I use a Convatec Natura pouch - going to order bags without the filter and try them for a while. Had two samples sent, and nothing really seemed to be different from the filtered ones.

Hi 👋

Interested in this wrap you wear when swimming? Would you be able to share details? Where did you purchase it? Heading to the beach again in a few weeks and have been looking for something like you described.

Thank you

I would guess by her description it's like a StealthBelt. There are many variations for sale, and some are very reasonably priced on Amazon.

I will check that out, AlexT. Thank you.