Hi, I started off using Hollister convex pouches with Salts O seals and took 4 Imodium daily but always had leakage under the seal and occasional blowouts, particularly when driving or working round the house. Haven't been able to better the pouches however, having read other people's recommendations, I sent for samples of O rings from other manufacturers and had a Eureka moment when I first tried an Eakin Slim ring. Smaller than the Salts ring, I found it much more friendly to the mold and it adhered well, I felt immediately we were a great match.
I no longer have any leakage under the wafer, any soiling is confined within the stoma area and I can now go three days between changes, as long as the pouch filter remains clean.
Because the ring leaves a residue of adhesive both in and around the stoma, I find it important to follow a strict routine once I've removed the pouch. I first clean as much of the gunge off with a dry wipe, rinse off the wipe in fairly hot water and repeat. Then, using an adhesive removing wipe, I clean the whole area previously covered with the wafer, follow this with a shave if necessary, then wash off the site with clean water and allow it to air dry with a little help from a warm hand. This is then followed by Hollister Adapt powder, if necessary, then I flatten the outer edge of the Eakin Slim with my fingers to make it wafer thin, mold the ring to fit snugly around the stoma rose, then apply directly to the skin, ensuring none is exposed within the ring. Then the pouch is pushed home with the aim of leaving about an eighth of an inch clearance between the inner edge of the wafer and the stoma rose.
Sorry if that is long-winded, however, this does work for me. However, I haven't quite finished yet. On the point of Imodium, I now only take maybe 2 or 3 a month after eating fish or soup, as I found they cause more trouble than they solve. Firstly, they do stiffen the stool. Secondly, any liquid then drunk finds its way around the firm stool and comes out as muddy liquid, giving the impression that the Imodium isn't doing its job. Naturally, we then continue taking the Imodium because it does do some good, we think. However, every so often, we have eaten something that absorbs lots of liquid, but the Imodium still tries to do its bit resulting in a concrete stool which eventually exits like a broomstick, causing some discomfort and dislodging the wafer on the way out. Anyway, food for thought. Eakin slims are definitely an improvement over Salts for me, and Imodium is good if it's needed but should be used with caution if one wishes one's pouch to stay put.
Right, I'm done. Hope there's something I've written which you find useful. Regards.