Struggling With Stoma Care Without Insurance Coverage

Struggling with Stoma Care Without Insurance Coverage

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Sven

Jul 21, 2014 12:25 am

So, here's the deal:

My insurance doesn't cover supplies. Plain and simple. I had stockpiled some from after my surgery, but now that I've run out, I'm having a lot of trouble keeping the skin around the stoma healthy. It's red, irritated, bleeding when I change the dressing, and itchy/sore. As I live in Texas, it's very hot and I sweat at work (mechanic). So I've gotten the Hollister spray adhesive - which I think I'm allergic to (taking Benadryl for now) - and am using stoma powder, skin barrier wipes, paste to fill in dimples, and milk of magnesia. What really helped was the stretchy barrier rings, but $80.00 for ten is way too much. Any suggestions?

texazgal

Jul 21, 2014 1:23 pm

Goodness! Not to have insurance.......this stuff is sooo expensive. Well, the Eakins seals are quite dear, but Hollister and Coloplast also make seals that work as well (at least for me they do) and are less expensive and the cheapest are the Convatec paste strips (Stomahesive strips) 15 to a box and I cut in half lenghtwise and press into a circle and apply. I don't see a price but think they were about $30 a few years back. And as for the sore skin, I developed an allergy to the Hollister barrier tapes. Switching to tapeless helped a lot. You might try that.

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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

ron in mich

Jul 21, 2014 2:37 pm

hi sven call the suppliers and explain your situation an maybe they have a program for uninsured people, and if nothing else ask for samples. good luck

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ADKM

Jul 24, 2014 6:39 pm

There are a few programs to assist folks without insurance. The first is Hollister Assist program 888-7456 ext 3454, another is Ostogroup 877-678-6690 and Convatec ostomy access program 800-979-8716. You can also reach all of these programs online. I just happened to have the phone #'s, so I thought I'd share those too. Good luck!