Need advice on Medline Marathon for painful ostomy issues

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newyorktorque
May 16, 2019 7:55 am

I just returned from the hospital where I was treated for a nasty infection around the stoma amongst other medical issues. Some areas around the ostomy were so broken down that tried and true remedies (nystatin, skin barrier wipes, etc.) were not working and I could not get a bag to stick. The pain was so unbearable I was treated with morphine and hydrocodone throughout my stay. Fortunately, I was visited by the wound care nurses at the hospital. I brought my own supplies and cut the bag adding barrier rings (I need to use). The nurses cleaned up the (very red, irritated) skin then applied Medline Marathon. That stuff burns! They did, however, get the bag to stick. I am still in a lot of pain and eating burns as well.

Have any of you folks used this? It's very expensive and I haven't even tackled the Medicare issue (will they cover this) yet. I was told this dries very fast. Although I am home now, I am scared of the pain I may incur in an effort to remove this bag. The nurses gave me 2 vials of Marathon liquid and I am also afraid of the pain during application. Tips, comments, ideas are all welcome. Thank you!

OstomySister
May 16, 2019 1:34 pm

How sticky is Medline Marathon, sorry we've never used them. But if they are as sticky as the Coloplast Skin barriers. We've used this magical spray called Sensi-Care Sting-Free Releaser Spray for a year now and we can't live without it ; https://www.ostomysecrets.com/sensi-care-sting-free-releaser-spray-150-ml. It works every time, even removes Tagaderm pain-free, no redness, and pulling incessantly.

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

Uro2011
May 16, 2019 7:03 pm

I use Marathon and it's amazing stuff. It dries fast and leaves a hard type of shell over your skin that gives it time to heal. I live in Canada and my extended health covers it, but it's expensive. It's about $14 per little vial/tube. I use it before every pouch change as a preventative measure. Amazing stuff! It was a lifesaver for me.

nwcurtis
May 16, 2019 9:16 pm

I used a combination of Nystatin and Desitin as a paste.

newyorktorque
May 17, 2019 7:25 pm

Well, thanks all! I had to change my bag today and was worried that the marathon substance would make pulling off the old bag difficult, but it was no different than any other day. You were right, URO2011, it did give my skin a barrier under which to start to heal. There was still some redness but not like before I went into the hospital and couldn't get a bag to stick at all. There is still some pain but not as bad. I hope this means my skin is on the mend. I hope I don't need it, but I did order a small box of Medline Marathon, just in case.

 

My Ostomy Journey: Bruce | Hollister

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Uro2011
May 17, 2019 8:15 pm

Keep using the Marathon until your skin fully heals and then you can stop. I also spray hydrogen peroxide on the skin around my stoma and let it sit for a bit before dabbing it dry and then putting the Marathon skin barrier on. It helps kill any bacteria. Doing both helps my skin heal quickly. Good luck!