This topic is about someone in Albuquerque, NM, who is urgently looking for colostomy supplies for her boyfriend. He had a colostomy six months ago due to a gunshot wound, and they are facing difficulties in obtaining enough supplies. Here are some insights and advice that might help:

1. He is on Medicaid, which only provides one box of pouches per month, not enough to last the entire month.
2. Both are currently unemployed and without income, and previous attempts to get extra supplies locally have not been successful.
3. They have tried several strategies, including calling 2-1-1, visiting emergency rooms, contacting his doctor (who is unavailable for months), and reaching out to medical supply stores that require a new prescription.
4. A local woman once donated supplies, but her stock is now depleted.
5. They have run out of supplies and are using makeshift solutions like Zip-Loc bags, tape, and cardboard, leading to leaks and other issues.

Additional concerns include:

- Frustration with being referred from one place to another without getting help.
- Confusion about why a prescription is needed for supplies when Medicaid has already provided a monthly order.
- The emotional impact on both of them, as they seek immediate or long-term sources of free or low-cost supplies.

Here are some suggestions that might be helpful:

- Reach out to support or charity organizations:
- United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) local chapter, as they often have donated supplies.
- Friends of Ostomates Worldwide-USA (fowusa.org), which ships surplus supplies to those in need.
- Kindred Box (kindredbox.org), a charitable program providing ostomy supplies in the U.S.

- Check with hospital resources, such as outpatient wound-care or WOCN (Wound, Ostomy & Continence Nurse) clinics, which might have sample stock or know local donors.

- Contact manufacturers like Hollister, ConvaTec, and Coloplast for free samples and Patient Assistance programs for people on Medicaid/Medicare.

- Explore websites with educational resources and links, such as VeganOstomy.ca and Ostomy Albuquerque.

- Consider wear-time and product-fit suggestions to make supplies last longer:
- Consult an ostomy nurse for advice on the best fit, which can extend the life of each appliance.
- Some users rinse and reuse drainable bags for several days with proper cleaning techniques.

- Verify the exact count of pouches in a box, as typical boxes from Hollister and Coloplast contain 10 pouches, to plan the monthly allowance accurately.

- Some community members have offered to send supplies immediately and have requested the stoma size and mailing address.