This topic is about managing excessive gas in ostomy pouches and exploring the use of the Osto EZ Vent as a potential solution. The person sharing their experience is looking for feedback on how easy the vent is to use, its effectiveness, and whether it's covered by Medicare. Here are some insights and advice from others who have dealt with similar issues:

- The person currently releases gas by "burping" the pouch, which involves opening the tail outlet on a one-piece system or cracking the coupling on a two-piece system. They hope using a vent will be a cleaner and quicker method.

- Burping vs. vent:
- Some people find it simpler and cost-free to "burp" the bag, but they caution that it can lead to odor.
- Others prefer the Osto EZ Vent for convenience, especially when out and about, or if they have difficulty with finger strength or arthritis.

- Single-use and cost:
- The vent sticks permanently to the pouch, so a new one is needed with each pouch change.
- A 10-pack of vents can be purchased on Amazon at a lower cost than some suppliers.
- One supplier mentioned that neither Medicare nor commercial insurance currently covers the Osto EZ Vent.

- Attempted re-use methods:
- Some have managed to peel the vent off a used pouch and reattach it to a new one using clear plastic glue or by keeping the original adhesive layer.
- Others find re-use challenging due to the difficulty of removing the adhesive intact.

- Practical tips and cautions:
- Venting or burping will release some odor, and deodorant products only partially help.
- It's important to keep the vent valve clean. One user uses a small syringe to inject water through the vent to thin thick stool for easier emptying.
- When releasing gas from a two-piece system, it's advised to open only the top portion and press lightly on the pouch.

- Product references:
- Osto EZ Vent is a stick-on vent with a pop-valve.
- Hollister offers a two-piece pouching system.
- Convatec supplies, including bags with clamps and various wipes, are available through Med180, with an average out-of-pocket cost of about $26 per month with Medicare.