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Oct 23, 2023

Trouble Sleeping After Nighttime Leak - Seeking Advice

The topic at hand is about dealing with trouble sleeping after experiencing a night-time ostomy leak. This can be a distressing situation, leading to anxiety and sleep disturbances. Here are some practical suggestions and insights to help manage this issue and prevent future leaks:

1. Consider trying different ostomy products:
- Explore other pouching systems like Dansac one-piece or Convatec one-piece with a full perimeter tape seal to find a leak-free match.
- Double-check that the outlet or clamp is fully closed to prevent air leaks.
- Use or tighten an ostomy belt at night for added security and peace of mind.
- If anxiety about leaks persists, consider wearing disposable absorbent underwear temporarily.
- Set an alarm to empty the pouch once during the night to prevent ballooning and potential leaks.

2. Explore DIY or custom solutions:
- Analyze the causes of leaks and avoid repeating past mistakes. Design solutions around weak spots.
- Consider custom rigid or semi-rigid baseplates with prosthetic glue and support from belts to direct output away from the wafer.
- Homemade or custom-designed baseplates can help reduce issues like pancaking and gas pressure.

3. Manage gas and ballooning:
- Leave a little air in the pouch before bed to help stool slide away from the stoma.
- Review your diet and consider reducing gas-producing foods after midday.

4. Try sleep-specific techniques:
- Practice a simple breathing drill: close your eyes, inhale through your mouth for a slow count of 10, hold briefly, and exhale through your nose for a slow count of 10.
- Use progressive muscle relaxation by tensing and releasing muscles from your toes upward.
- If still awake after about 30 minutes, get up and engage in a quiet activity like reading or gentle stretching until you feel drowsy.
- Relax your jaw and focus on slow breathing to break the tension cycle when anxiety rises.
- Rebuild confidence in your appliance; time often restores normal sleep once trust returns.

5. Keep perspective and seek reassurance:
- Remember that occasional leaks are a normal part of life with an ostomy and happen to everyone.
- Accept that rare failures may occur despite best practices, but consistent routines and reliable products help keep them infrequent.

6. Utilize available resources:
- Consider joining the Convatec me+ support program, which offers samples and an ostomy travel card. You can reach them at 1-800-422-8811.
See full discusison
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