Leaks

Hello Milkmaid66,

I posted this earlier today. It is just my procedure for eliminating leaks and I daresay that others do things differently. No leaks or near-misses for 18 months or so. I drain the ileostomy pouch at every opportunity and change both stoma attachments every 48 hours at breakfast time. The Fusion stick and Brava elastic tapes made a world of difference:

'I have had two stomas for a couple of years. The ileostomy pouch used to leak in the early days but, with the help of the stoma nurses, that problem was overcome almost overnight. As well as using a drainable pouch I clean the surrounding area with cold water, then an adhesive remover wipe, then apply a Fusion stick to the skin, press the pouch in place (making sure that the hard plastic ring is in full contact + the margins), then apply Brava elastic strips to cover the pouch flange. Works a treat and I've never had a problem since. I always avoid soap and moisturisers to the surrounding areas as these are likely to negate the effect of the adhesive. Confidence restored after a few weeks' apprehension about going out!'

Dulac

Thank you,  can I ask what is a fusion stick and where can I get one please 

Fusion applicators are individually-wrapped sticks (like a large cotton wool bud) impregnated with a solution that forms a skin barrier combined with an adhesive primer to enhance the effectiveness of the pouch adhesive. My stoma nurse suggested that I use them and arranged for my prescription to be adjusted accordingly. They work! I obtain them via Messrs Coloplast, together with the other stoma supplies. These, together with the Brava elastic tapes really made all the difference. You can't put a price on the restoration of personal confidence when mixing socially.

Dulac

Sorry you find yourself in this situation

I am presuming you have done all the usual things ,check the hole sizing,not use soap or any body lotions in the area,if you use stoma powder making sure it is only a little and well brushed off.

I tried the barrier spray once but found it interfeared with the adhesive so now only use water anwhere near the stoma area.

I found convex bags a game changer when I had a couple of leaks early on and fingers crossed havent had any since

I do hope you can get it sorted so that you can get on with your life

Kath

Thanks, I will try to get some from amazon as my doctor will not add to prescription 

They are expensive to buy-and you can only use each stick once. Could you not speak to your stoma nurse to arrange a prescription change with the doctor? I’ve done this successfully in the past . It’s not as if these are luxury items-they are necessary for us and we should be able to have the things we need to make our lives a little easier. 

Like Dulac, I use these sticks and Brava elastic flange extenders and they have both been real gamechangers for me 

Sarah xx

It became clear to me, early on, that the stoma nurses have the respect of not only the surgical team but many others within the NHS. They know their patients and can quickly recognise their needs. In my case as soon as I mentioned that the stoma nurse - who I named - had recommended these items any doubt or opposition dissolved immediately. You might ask your stoma nurse to intervene on your behalf as your peace of mind is a critical part of the treatment process and these are surgical appliances and dressings, available on prescription (and they work better than 200 million pounds worth of PPE fit for the rubbish bin and approved on the nod!!)..

Dulac

I am mindful of the strain on the NHS budget however. To the point where I used to use single-use disposable syringes three times (for diabetes control) until my GP told me never to do that again. Similarly, I use one Fusion applicator to treat two stomas and that works OK so I will carry on with that. As taxpayers we have no control over how our money is spent and have no idea what prices the NHS pays for stuff that looks pretty mundane and easy to manufacture at volume.

Dulac

Thanks all, I will speak to my stoma nurse again but my doctors say I can only  have 2 items a month, so I go for bags and adhesive removèr as I can't manage without, lucky I have a great family who will help me pay for other things I need 

I am really disappointed to read that people have such a restriction on their supplies.  I have restrictions now on what I can order, since the system changed in how I can order stuff, but I can go through the stoma nurse if I need more. I had to do this to get an extra can of adhesive spray, which to me was ridiculous. My gp has never had any input into what I can order, or what those orders are-they always authorise everything, I know I have 2 stomas, so I need more but I have multiple supplies of at least 5 different items. I would always push for what I needed. You shouldn’t need to pay for things you need.

Sarah xx