Hi I’m just wondering if anyone has had any issues ordering stoma products. I order through Coloplast who are great but my doctors are causing issues. I ordered 3 boxes of 10 bags which is my normal order placed when I get down to one bag, but my doctors allowed most of the order except the stoma bags, which is obviously the essential part and only allowed one spray when I’d asked for two.
So I’ve our another order in for the bags and fingers crossed they allow it.
Hi Claire
It might be a good idea to also put your post in the stoma group as more people might see it there rather than in this general chat group. I have to say that I’ve been ordering stoma products for more than 5 years and have never had an issue as my gp surgery always approves my orders. I get 2 adhesive remover sprays, but I do have 2 stomas, so it’s considered quite reasonable I think.
However, the essential part of your order is the bags as you can’t function without them, and even with 3 boxes that only allows for one bag a day which seems really mean! I’m not sure whether you have a drainable bag or a closed bag? With my end colostomy I use closed bags, and yesterday I changed mine 5 times so I’d really struggle if I were only being allowed the equivalent of one a day. A drainable bag which doesn’t require so many changes might be impacting their thinking?
You need to either speak to the gp to explain what you need so the script can be approved, or ask your stoma nurse to do it on your behalf. Sometimes, gps don’t really understand what we need but I’ve been lucky with my gp surgery-especially since I need a LOT of products to deal with 2 stomas.
You do need to speak up for yourself-having a stoma is enough to deal with, without worrying that you might run out of supplies.
Sarah xx
I’d still see if you can get more bags on your order as the amount you’re getting doesn’t have much of a margin for error if you have any issues with the bags etc. The drainable bag lasts longer for you without needing to change, but for myself I like to know that I have some extra supplies just in case the adhesive fails or there’s any other issue. Good luck!
Sarah xx
Unless you have a stoma yourself, no-one can understand how horrible it is to have bag leaks-it’s just awful. I sometimes have the situation of a bag pushing off my body rather than leaking because I might have a sudden explosion of output, which of course we can’t control.
Because I’m disabled now, I can’t move very quickly to get upstairs to the bathroom, so the effects can be catastrophic!
Sarah xx
