I am sure that this subject has been well aired but, although I have read the group for a while, I have only just joined properly. I have had an ilestomy now for six months and from very early on I had a hernia around the stoma. I was given a Supportx belt which I couldn't seem to get on with. My hernia/stoma resembles an old fashioned sink plunger and the belt pancacked the pouch causing the only bad accident in six months. I tried it with a guard to take some pressure off but that was uncomforable so I did without because I was scheduled to have a reversal about now when the hernia would have been fixed.
No surprise that it isn't going to happen now and I have to think in terms of some months more and taking more care. I thought that a belt with a hole to feed the pouch through would be a good idea allowing the stoma output to flow better but the SupportX man (very helpful) says there is a chance of it causing a prolapse. So my questions to people of more experience are:
What srt of support do you find is best for a good sized bulge? Do you know of cases of prolapsed stomas because of the wrong belt? Do you wear your support all day? (At the moment I am trying wearing it just when I am outside working. Any other advice gratefully received.
Many thanks - stay safe in these strange times.
Hi and welcome to the online community, the stoma support group and the place you had no intention of joining and I'm so sorry that you found your way here because of your parastomal hernia is causing you problems. It must be frustrating after waiting for many months for your reversal for coronavirus to hit us and everything is thrown up in the air with no idea when the surgery will take place.
I take it you have been using the SupportX Easy peel belt
Which is the go to solution in the first instance for many stoma care nurses, I could not get on with them so I spoke to SupportX and it was suggested that I try their Hernia Support Briefs High Waist the reference number I use is SPX 118 in black with legs (I'm an xxlarge the reference number changes with size and colour, sorry no image) I found that they gave me all round support and didn't cause me any problems, being an ileostomate I don't suffer from pancaking as my output is watery to porridge consistency. These briefs are like a girdle. I believe that they will cut a hole out for to pull your pouch through but I've always had a concern that it would weaken the product and lose the efficiency.
I also use SupportX male briefs
The reference numbers I use are AM14 & AM24 black and grey in xlarge (reference numbers change with size and colour)
SupportX are not the only company to supply support garments another one to look at is Comfizz
They have male briefs and boxers and unisex briefs in 2 levels
This is a level 1
This is a unisex level 2
This is standard waist level 1
They also do a full range of belts.
I would suggest that you contact your stoma care nurse regarding your hernia as she is trained to measure for the correct product and can advise on the best product to use especially as you are concerned about a prolapse.
With regarding to how long you should wear support normally all day would be okay and taking it off at bed time to give your body some breathing space however Comfizz used to say that their level 1 garments were okay for through the night and in fact suggested having level 1 for through the night and level 2 for through the day.
Other manufacturers are available
CUIWEAR
https://cuiwear.com/product-category/hernia-support-girdles/
Everyone has their opinion of which is the best garment to wear, if only we could get one of each to try before we have them put on prescription.
See these
The above gives a lot of information about prolapse management including things you can try to reduce the prolapse.
You need to click on any green text above to open up new pages of information which will take you away from this site.
There is a solution for every problem is just takes a wee while to find the right one for each of us and patience is needed.
You probably are aware that all the manufacturers I have mentioned thatshould you go to them direct they will offer to free fitting at home of their garments, this will turn into a sales call with the expectation that they will be able to contact your GP surgery for prescriptions, but you will get to try garments to see how they fit.
I hope I've been of some help to you, please keep in touch and let me know how you are getting on with the prolapse problem and also the reversal when it comes along, we have some very knowledgeable members in the group who make themselves available to help you get through your reversal.
Take care and keep safe at this unprecedented time.
Ian
CC
Note The stoma support group can make recommendations on products to solve stoma related problems including the signposting to companies.
