Extending the Life of Ostomy Bag Vents and Filters

Although I think Convatec has the best velcro closure system and Coloplast has the nicest wafer, I settled on Hollister New Image as my best all-around two-piece solution. BUT, it is discouraging that the vent and charcoal filter both seem to expire after 2 to 2 days even though the actual bag could easily last for several days. When the bag starts blowing up like a balloon and you think you can smell yourself, going out in public means having to put on a fresh one - very uneconomical. Is there any way at all to prolong the life?

I have given up completely on filtered pouches. I find it much easier to discretely degas either before I leave home or even in the car in a parking lot with the windfows down. If you get a better answer I will be watching for it. Good luck. Ed

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sir...vented pouches are intended for daily wear..ie: they only last one day. i use the mid size closed pouch..i belive from memory 12355 coloplast. a box of 30 is around 50$...less than a coffee...its woth that to smell presentable...would you agree?? if you have a colostomy...do you irrigate??? if so...the mid size is as large as would ever be required. regards

I've used vented-and-filtered pouches ever since I had my colostomy--no one ever advised me they were good for only one day, and I usually get three days or almost. I'm supplied with only 10 per month through Medicare. Of course I can burp them, but obviously you'd have to do that with the non-vented bags you suggest. If I get even a faintest whiff, of course I get to a restroom as quickly as possible to burp out the gas. I also find that using a lubricant-deodorant actually makes the poo very sticky and clogs up the vent and filter much more quickly than if I just rinse the bag with water as I normally would.

sir, i can see the need to conserve. have u tried the snap in vent/filter..you know add the second when the first clogs??? they make them. regards

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I agree.  I have almost given up on the filtered pouch. They seem to only last a few hours for me.   If I'm going somewhere where I am dressed up, I will use it because I dont want to take the chance of my pouch balooning out with tight clothes on.  I always have an extra in my purse, just in case.  I wish they would invent a better filter.

I use Convatec 2-piece, the pouch has a filter. I was advised that I could expect 2 to 3 days easy with one pouch. And I have found that is the right timing for a change - usually 3 days.



The filter is useless as far as I'm concerned ... whether you keep the pouch 1 day or more.



And I sometimes get some leak through via the little filter hole

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I burp manually as needed. My next pouch order will be for filterless.



Apparently Convatec is coming out with a new and improved filter (according to my ET nurse) ... will believe it when I try it

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Would be interesting to hear from anyone who thinks the filters work well and how many days you keep a pouch on before replacing.

I used to reliably get 9 days out of a colostomy bag.  But the last batch of bags I got from Convatec stink terribly after about 5 days.  I am considering looking for a new vendor.



I add Osto-EZ-Vents to the bags, but they fall off in a few days.  I found that if I reinforced the vents with 4 strips of Scotch tape they would stay on for 9 days.  But I shouldn't have to reconstruct somebody's product.



I wish there were filtered self-venting bags that would last, but other posts here suggest that I want too much.  Any comments?

been using the same type bag from convatec for two years, changing it twice a week, never even considered using a filter.

I was using the Hollister New Image 2-piece and had to burp them all the time. I ended up getting a parastomal hernia and my stoma nurse had me change to the 1 piece because of the pressure. I immediately started having problems with ballooning and found that the Hollister filter doesn't work at all, I called Hollister and they told me that they are working on thier filters and they are not good for "high gas output", and told me to BUY the EZ-vent. Now I have been trying to find a bag with a better filter. I tried Convetec and the filter worked fine, but as soon as I had output it leaked from the seal...YUCK! I am now using the Coloplast, I have tried the Sensurra and Assura and the filters work great on both, I have had this one on for 2 days and it is still working!!