Transporting your ostomy supplies

OK, now that I am learning to use all this stuff, I am keenly interested in what you carry and how you carry it. I am a small woman who likes a smallish handbag. When I carry a large handbag, satchel or tote, I look like I'm hauling luggage. Again: what do you carry, how do you carry it? I would like to hear from men as well as women as they usually only have pockets, unless they carry a man-purse (which I would not suggest in these parts). Thanks!

I fold 1 bag in half and keep it in my pocket,  it's seen me right for 30 years

I put everything in a sandwich size zip lock, one in my jacket and one in my wife's purce. When traveling I have a Hollister pouch with everything that I leave in the car during the trip.

Panther, does thatmean you always wear a two-piece?

dls, No I use 1 piece drainable

i carry an "emergency kit" in both the car and the truck, i use the small fanny pack type thing to keep it in. dont forget to rotate the supplies out of there a few times a year. if i am doing outdoor activities i carry an extra cap, fold it in two paper towels, and then folded as small as is practical in one the plastic bags that are supplied in most ostomy supplies. folded neatly and scotch taped shut i stick it in either front or back pocket, or the cargo pocket on cargo pants.

Panther,does that mean you may have to chang your entire appliance somewhere besides home. A one piece cannot change bags.  Do you use SALTS products?

dis... I am a small Woman, unlike you I carry a tote..   I carry 2 small make-up bags. One includes two pouches, skin Barriers and rings. The other a small can of deorizer spray along with baby oil and disposable gloves.  I always have a change of clothes in the trunk of the car if needed.

Take care

Angelicamarie

Since my earliest years of having a stoma I kept extra clothes in my car, change of supplies at work and always a small emergency change in my purse, just the essentials. It has been sometime since I ever had to use any of them but I like to be prepared.

I have always travelled 'light' with no extras or safeguards. However,in the light of recent events, I may have to revise my approach and consider what I might need in an emergency. Up to now, I carry my phone and my wife will bring stuff to me pretty quickly if I ever needed it. Since having a stoma, this situation has not arisen but before that it was a regular occurrence that I would need a complete change of clothing. Far too much to carry around! 

Best wishes

Bill

dls, 

i do not like carrying a large bag either. I have a small makeup type bag that fits in most any small purse. I have taken pictures of what I have and what all it holds. In this little bag is 2 pouches, two barrier strips, a slim barrier, two adhesive remover pk, one deodorant/lubricant pk, two baggies for discarded bag, two pantie liners, filter covers And a spare pair of panties. I also carry a small pack of baby wipes in my purse but not necessary if you have access to a private restroom. Everything I could possible need in a small space and never have anxiety about being without supplies! 

Puppyluv 

For people who put their supplies in a ziploc bag--how do you keep things like the wafer or barrier strips from getting bent or damaged? I need something about the size of the wafer, something with stiff sides like metal or hard plastic to keep things safe. The travel kits I got from Coloplast, Convatec, and Hollister when I first got my ostomy are useful, but are larger than I'd like for most purposes. I was thinking something like those metal tins the AOL trial CDs came in but a little larger. Is there anything like that out there?

I don't carry any extra supplies and have never needed them.

The only exception is that I tuck a 1 ounce bottle of deodorizer in my pocket, wrapped in a baggie so it doesn't leak, if I will be in a situation where odors after emptying might be obnoxious to others, like on an airplane or visiting someone's house.  Alternatively, some breath mints, which are even simpler to carry, will also do the trick.

Your tolerance for carrying things can easily change and become more relaxed if you go awhile and see you never need the supplies.

For ladies I imagine the dollar store would carry small makeup bags or travel kits for men. I get mine, that I pictured, here from Ipsy. I get 5 trial sizes of makeup every month and a new little bag! They are great because I only need one so once I take the samples of makeup out, I fill them with sample sizes of soap, shampoo, razors, feminine needs, mouthwash, toothpaste and any other hygiene things I can find and give them to the homeless around Christmas time. The wrapping it is mailed in also useable for the same thing for the guys with like products. 

Love reusing things!

Pyppyluv

I use a small freezer bag with emergency supplies.   I aso have a childrens snack bag which also does the job just as well. As I drive I have a shoping bag with a change of clothing, small towel plus all the kit. If on foot I have a rumpsack with the above. A dress T shirt+ leggings is very thin and portable. The key for me is if anything goes wrong; I am prepared. Peace of mind.

It is a drag. It reminds me of my new status (March 21st 2018) but I feel safe.

Hope this helps.

Collette

I use a contact lens kit bag, which is about 6" x 4" x1.5" and fits inside my purse. I keep several changes of pouches with disposal bags, one wafer, scissors to trim the wafer, some adhesive remover wipes and a few moist towellettes. Probably not as light as many of you, but I had a bad experience once where I got diarrhea and suddenly filled 4 pouches! (I wear the 7" min sealed pouches, because I am very short and the regular size or the resealable ones are too long for me to wear comfortably).

Small backpack might be the answer x

puppyluv56, I'm an Ipster, too and have that bag.  I am currently an older Ipsy bag for my supplies.

I carry a shoulder strap purse, I can carry extra undies,  and all the supplies I need  soft gause sponges for wetting and clean up.  and whatever I need for a complete change.  I also carry a complete change of clothing in my car.  But god forbid I ever need it as most of the time I am by myself  LOL  I was out with a group fordinner one evening and sprung a leak,  I had on light pink capris,  Talk about a mess.  I padded with TP excused myself and headed home.  Hopefully that won,t happen again.

To Harry A, You write that you're sick every few days, but don't explain what's going on. ARe you throwing up? or developing loose stools, or pain.. There could be many different reasons. First of course is to check with your doctor to make sure all the plumbing is working as it should. Second, is going back to a very basic diet....of easy to digest food, and ( potato , bread, eggs, etc) then add one food at a time. Dehydration is an issue for many people, and despite drinking about a gallon of water during the day, I can' still get dehydrated.. If the output is very liquid, you need to drink even more. I gave up " ice" for room temp water, so I can " chug more". Make sure to check the waffer/ flange you're wearing, to make sure that nothing is hurting the stoma... Unless you have another intestinal condition, the kind of pain you describe is not the norm.. My suspicion would be food, possibly backing up, and causing a blockage... which can lead to dehydration. Keep a food diary, and see if you can pin it down. Best of luck. Marsha

Dls, 

i love them and especially this one because it is round at the top which fits my pouches best. Still my barrier strips get a little bent. I love getting the cosmetics too! I give most of them away but they are fun to get in the mail! 

Puppyluv

If I am going out of town, I have a big ziplock bag with at least everything needed for a complete change of my waffer, pouch, extra tape I use around the waffer (duoderm).  I use a mouldable waffer, so no scisors required.  I often keep a grocery bad (to put waste in), some paper towels and adhesive remover.

If I am just going out for part of the day, the only thing I carry is a small bottle of M9 Deoderizer drops.  I bought a small bottle of hand sanitizer, emptied it all out, rinsed and filled that up with the M9 so it's not awkward in my pocket.  I use it every time, as that eliminates 100% of my ileostomy odur. 

I was given a bottle of m9 at the time of my surgery. It is odorless and I did not find it took the smells away. I bought some oils of lemongrass( not plain lemon) at Walmart and put 6 or so drops in that m9  bottle with some rubbing alcohol and it is awesome! I love the lemongrass smell but am thinking of cinnamon for the next time. This $5 bottle has already last 5 months and I still have better than half of it. I made a small bottle for my purse as well! 

Puppyluv

In my office bag i always have a set. Barrier ring, bag and barrier, paste, disposal bag and cleaner.

I have noticed many  when changing there colostomy mention using a cleaner I was told to only use water because somemany products contain perfumes etc that will cause the pouches to not stick,  Can anyone let me know what they use .

you can use the original "yellow" dial soap. my ostomy nurse told me this many years ago and i have used it ever since with good results. 

Mild Mannered,  Thanks for your reply.  I will try  Dial ( yellow )  and I hope there is a cleaning wipe that I can also carry in my supplies when out and about.  Like some sort of wipes.

I use Senicare adhesive remover after using just warm water but also keep wipes that contain no perfumes or the like that would prevent the pouch from sticking to your skin.

Puppyluv

Thanks everyone  I would like to have the names of wipes that I can carry in my purse  that will not cause my pouches to not stick.

Angelicamarie....what do you use baby oil for?  Thanks in advance