Still new to all this

Hi Catherine. 
Is your stoma flat ?

To start with mine was and used to pancake. The nurse gave me convex bags with a belt and this encouraged the stoma to protrude more and put the output where it should. 

im an Ileostomy and I believe you’re a colostomy is that right?
Are you using the closed or open bags?
I’m looser anyway.  

When I do have thicker output I stand and smooth down the output gently before sitting on the toilet   like you squeeze it out and wipe the opening clean open it and put just a little water with a small jug close and just wash out the opening. I don’t let it go up inside the bag because it will get the stoma wet and could loosen the adhesive. It’s just something I’ve discovered that makes me feel clean

When you change the bag put baby oil in and rub/spread it about  

I hope this helps 

Thanks. Not sure I know what you mean about convex or pancake.

The poop is usually soft. When it's shaped, it drops fine. I thought it must be about my diet but it doesn't seem to be.

I do the standing up and try to move the poop down. I end up having to squeeze it down.

Use baby oil. I got that tip on here. I've tried different bags and now use open ones.

Thank you. This is such a mystery!

Hi 
It can get overwhelming  sorry for confusing you  I’m adding a picture  you will see that the convex area could help to encourage the poop to go where it should  Diet may help but I find sometimes it does sometimes it doesn’t  I know the food that loosen and thicken and that can be helpful  

Thanks. I'm definitely not using bags like that. Mine are just flat. I'll do some research and see if my stoma nurse migjt get me a couple to try.

Yes mine were flat in the beginning and so was my stoma.  Although at two weeks I was still in recovery those were game changers. I use EAKIN slims too but that is because my skins sensitive. 

Your stoma nurses should sort you out. I went to see them and they gave me the convex and slims with belt. I came out with a new confidence. 
I really hope they are the answer for you too 

P.S 

Pancake is when the output builds up behind the plate as it doesn’t  drop down  it can lift the bag off if not changed  

Hope the change in bags helps 

Hi Catherine, I’m sorry to see you’re still having some issues with this. I have a colostomy and my stoma is flat to my tummy. I can often have issues with pancaking where the poo doesn’t go down and just sits there, but I put up with it and change often as I really like the bags I use for other reasons. 

However, I would agree with Ann that convex bags as she has photographed might be better for you and help the output drop into the bag. My urostomy is also flat to my tummy but I changed to convex bags and they really were much better than the flat bags I was using before. 

Because I have 2 stomas, I don’t really want to go to a convex bag with the colostomy as they are bigger than what I currently use and stick out a little more, and with the urostomy being like that and me also using flange extenders to help keep the bag on it takes up quite a lot of skin area. I don’t want to have the same on the other side of my tummy as for me it would feel too bulky. 

However, if I had just the colostomy I think I’d use convex bags.

Your stoma nurse should be able to advise on convex bags and provide some for you to try, or you can contact the companies direct and request some free samples. I hope trying different bags males a difference for you.

Sarah xx

I do pretty much the same thing and this is usually successful. When it's really thick ( due to meds I'm on) it still sometimes pancakes. I've a colonostomy.

Thanks Kath and everyone. I've requested some samples from a couple of companies and will speak to the stoma nurse on Monday.

I'm still wrestling with a sore back passage and use of a catheter and have just found the last few months overwhelming.  I say to myself frequently that life would be immeasurably better if the stoma was all I had to deal with!

Hi Beniciam

Sorry you’re having a really rotten time. Hopefully once you can get the stoma putting its output where it should be you will be able to relax more