Problems with stoma

Hi NickyP

Poor you - it's so demoralising, isn't it?

Firstly, does your stoma nurse know about the issues you're having?  There are lots of things that she can suggest which should help. It could be something as simple as re-cutting the template for your pouch for a snugger fit (stomas change size and shape in the early weeks). There are also barrier rings which could help.  These are mouldable rings that you shape around your stoma before fitting the pouch.  They help to prevent leaks and sore skin. The other thing that might help (and that's the route that eventually helped me) is to change from a flat pouch to a convex one.  They're normally used if your stoma is quite flat against your body and doesn't stick out very much - but your stoma nurse needs to approve that particular change.

Also, remember to warm your pouch up before you apply it - I stick mine under my armpit for a minute or two.  Then, once it's applied, press quite firmly with the palm of your hand for another minute. The heat helps the adhesive.

Calamine lotion will help the sore skin but don't use too much and make sure it's totally dry before you apply the pouch.

I hope that this helps. I've been exactly where you are now and I promise you that it will get better.  Just ask if you need any further info.

Hi I got my ileostomy in April and for the first two weeks it was fine then one Sunday I must have had about 15 changes, didn’t think I could take much more but on the Monday phoned my Stoma nurse and she saw me that day and total changed the type off bag 
. I was changed to the sensurea mio bags convex.these have been a god send ,I think they stuck the stoma out a bit as the other bags the stoma sat level  so just leak sorry hopes this makes ence it’s my description lol but it may be worth speaking to your nurse good luck 

Hi NickyP

I know what you are going through. The thing that rescued me was the two-piece convex system. The baseplate is applied first and the pouch clicks on a bit like a Tupperware lid. I currently use Sensura mio click two-piece together with the barrier rings described by BlueBlue. Your stoma nurse should be able to give you a sample to try, or you can get samples from Coloplast.

You will find your solution, even though it feels hopeless right now. You're not alone.

Thank you all so much for responding

i will contact the nurse again tomorrow and hopefully get to leave my house with confidence very soon.

the bags were fine for the first 4 weeks but the leaks started then the sizes changed twice but still leaks and soreness , I was given powder to put around the stoma too.

thanks again for the advice, it’s given me hope as I’m starting chemo next week with my first infusion and was dreading it more with the wonders of how my stoma would react to this too.

xx

Sorry to hear you are having problems.like others have said,I also use mio convex bags.they are great.my stoma isnt flat but they were suggested to me when I had a couple of leaks early on and work a treat.

It could be something as simple as a slight change in hole shape.as you know stomas change in shape in the early days .you also mention the stoma powder.I have used it but it must be used in moderation and then kind of blown or brushed off or the bags dont adhere properly.thats from someone here who learnt the hard way

anyway hope you get it sorted so that you can get on with your life and enjoy it to the full

Kath

Hi forgot to add.I had capox and no problems with my iliostomy at all.

Kath

Thank you Kath

i think I may have been a bit heavy handed with the powder , it’s a lot to get used too and just when you think you’ve got it … boom something happens

I did that a few times then had to rush to get another bag.its a learning curve isnt itkath