Leakage

Hi

I'm sorry to hear about the problem you're encountering when you take a shower.  Although I can't answer your question, I noticed that your post hadn't had any response yet.

If you haven't already tried this, you could use the search bar in the group and type in 'leakage' to have a look through older posts which mention this. Another possibility is to post your question in the Ask a Nurse section of the community and one of the specialist nurses will aim to reply within 2 working days.

x

Hi PRW,

What kind of pouch are you using - closed or drainable? There are many kinds of pouches available, but I would say that if your's in leaking every time you take a shower, you should speak to your stoma nurse - it might be something as simple as the pouch type. 

Linda

Hi Linda mines a draining pouch. My stoma nurse is coming out on Wednesday so I will mention it.  

Some pouches are better that others. I like Coloplast Sensura Mia and I go swimming with these and everything.

However, most pouches shouldn't really leak on showering if they have been applied properly. As suggested, it would be best to have a word with your stoma nurse. Your actual stoma may require that you you should use a certain type of pouch too and, maybe, a seal might help too.

Hello PRW, 

I can't say I've had any leakage in the shower.  I use a drainable pouch like you, currently the Oakmed Option Soft Convex, and it is pretty secure even after  a gym class.  I was told that the adhesive is designed to actually stick better if it is wetted and mine has proved really good so far. 

I do like to keep it dry so use a shower cap over the pouch.  Sounds ridiculous.  Looks pretty funny too, but I hate the covering dripping until I can do a pouch change.  A bit of micropore tape attaching it to your stomach gives some extra protection but also shreds the plastic cap so I just rely on the elastic that normally goes round your head.  Honestly the things we get up to but we do have to find some novel adjustments

Hope you find a solution with your stoma nurse

Thanks for that. Will definitely try the shower cap. 

you go to the gym i cant tey my laces without having a leak

Good afternoon, grafiti.  Check with your stoma team.  I had real pouch problems as I began to put on some of the lost weight and needed a different pouch.  It made all the difference in the world when we found a better fit.  As for the gym, couldn't walk up my own stairs post-surgery thanks to chronic anemia, weight loss and the new 'passenger'.  But Macmillan ran some cancer rehab sessions in my area and I took them up.  Have kept the exercises going through lockdown and the improvement has been amazing.  So don't give up if you are not far along on this weird journey.  It does get better but I really support properly organised and assisted exercise (and I was no gym-bunny).  Your stoma/colo-rectal team may have places they can recommend that are properly trained and some of the supply companies are now doing YouTube sessions for ostomates.  I would recommend Sarah Russell's 'Bowel Cancer Toolkit' book too- check Amazon- she is a clinical trainer and ostomate and knows her stuff.  Good luck and hope you are running up and down those stairs as soon as possible