Stoma

Hi Concerned53 and welcome to the group.

I have a colostomy, and a urostomy for good measure, and fly regularly abroad.

I’d like  to try and reassure you if I can, that no bag has ever exploded on any plane for me! I use to try to reduce my food and drink intake in advance, and it made no difference so to be honest I don’t do anything now to try and prevent my bags filling. I do make sure that both bags are completely empty before I get on the plane.

I’ve had an explosion in the airport carpark before even getting inside the terminal, and I’ve changed my colostomy bag on the loo on the plane. I eat and drink, including alcohol, on the plane journey because it’s the start of my holidays!

I make sure I have supplies in my hand luggage, and a change of clothes. I have needed both in my time! I split stoma supplies for my holiday between myself and my partner and carry extra in our hold luggage, and I take double or more of the amount of supplies I might need in case of any upset tummies etc. My longest trip since having stomas, was an 11 hour one to the Maldives, followed by a speedboat transfer to our island and had no leaks at all on the journey there or back. 

I was very nervous before my first flight, and typically my usual flights are 4.5 hours but every journey has given me more and more confidence so I don’t give stomas much thought now. I can understand your worries though as they were exactly the same as the ones I had. I hope everything goes well for you, and you can relax a little more about the whole experience.

Sarah xx

Thank You Sarah for your lovely, understanding reply 

I've flown the same long flight about 2 years ago after I'd have my colostomy and the bag didn't work at all during the flight,which for me personally was so good. But just at home lately it's exploded twice and that is what has worried me. And of course they  are such small toilets on plane and absolutely no full length mirror. I'm sadly one of those people that need to look in a full length mirror to change my bag / pouch 

Both my bags were very quiet on my long flight for which I was really grateful. If you had a longer time to prepare for this I would have suggested trying irrigation but that needs to be taught by a stoma nurse and you’d need to have time to get used to the change, although it might be something to think of in the future.

I’ve had significant explosions at home which are sometimes a nightmare, but never on the plane, but I appreciate you need a mirror to change and I luckily don’t so I can sit on the loo in the plane to do mine.

What about trying the usual tricks in advance to reduce output? Things like marshmallows or jelly babies, dry crackers etc? That might help, though nothing can truly really give you any sense of control unless you wanted to try something like Immodium in advance of your trip? 

I hope others might come on and give you some useful advice-personally my desire to go away outweighs my doubts about my stomas so I never want to give up my travel! 

Sarah xx

I think it's have the same situation with a colostomy that tends to explode. 

When this happens is your appliance coming off? Or is just filling the bag very quickly? 

If the appliance is coming off, I'd fix that problem before traveling. You may need more or different adhesive. Perhaps the barrier extenders would help prevent a disaster. You'd still need to change the appliance but you could get to the bathroom to do it. 

Get a make-up mirror that can sit on the edge of the sink. Practice with it at home in case you need to use it on the plane. 

All of this should give you more confidence when traveling. Chances are, you'll have no problems but being prepared will ease your anxiety. 

It happened that it was so much it actually caused the bag to leak badly.

Thank You for your kind reply and for the helpful info.