Struggling today

Hi Parky , Martin,  Court and everyone else  does anyone  have any suggestions for dealing with  leakage. I have spoken to my stoma nurse this week and she has given me a couple of things to try but still  having problems.  I do have an appointment  on Monday  but having so many issues it's really  getting me down.  I'm sure I can't  be the only one that's  had difficulties but nothing I'm doing  seems to make a difference.  It usually  only happens  during  the daytime which is at least something  to be grateful  for. 

Hi Chelmarsh,

Sorry to hear you’re having leakage problems – it really gets you down doesn’t it.

I had a lot of leaks while in hospital but once they swopped me to convex bags that seemed to solve the problem until about 2 months after my operation when I started having huge problems with leaks (up to 4 times a day some days), I think this coincided with me becoming more mobile. My stoma nurses weren’t a lot of help unfortunately, so I posted on here, this is the link to the thread:
(community.macmillan.org.uk/.../1565302

I took John (Crankshaft’s) advice and started using the Salts Aloe rings (REF: SAR25) with my convex bag (Coloplast Sensura Mio light Convex with belt ears) together with a belt and that did the trick for me. Interesting, when I explained what I was doing to my stoma nurse, I was told they wouldn’t recommend this as it would compromise the convex, but it continues to work for me. I have been decorating recently with lots of bending and stretching and no issues with the bag. It might be worth giving them a try?

Also, have you checked the hole size in your bag isn’t too big as your stoma shrinks quite a bit over a few weeks after the operation and you need to keep checking your cutting the hole the correct size?

I know there are lots of different bags out there (I tried quite o few of them myself ) so you might just need a change of bag.

Do hope you can get it sorted soon. I remember how demoralising it was.

Best Wishes,
Net77x

Hi Net77 many thanks  for your reply. I was ok in hospital  but they did change my bag before I left though don't know why as wasn't having any problems.  I have been home a week now and since last Sunday  have had problems  everyday. I have gone back to my original  bags and whilst they aren't  as bad I'm still having some  leaks. Just so glad to hear that others like yourself have overcome the problem.  I'll  speak to my nurse on Monday armed with new information  and see what they say. Really  can't go on like this . Thanks again for your support  x

Stoma shrinkage caused me a couple of leaks early on whilst I was adjusting the cut hole size.luckily once it settled on a finished size I could get my bags pre cut by my suplier and all was well.Like nett I use the coloplast sensura mio convex bags and find they fit well .I dont find I need to use the belt loops

Hope it all settles soon

Kath

Hi Chelmarsh 

It’s tricky to start. I had leaks and was so sore in the early days. Also my stoma was hard to even see let alone stick the bag in the right place. my stoma wasn’t very pronounced and by using a flat bag my output was able to pancake and lift the bag hence a leak. 
The Stoma Nurse gave me same as Nett and Katz Coloplast Convex and Eakin slims that are a barrier for sore skin she gave me a belt and out I went. 
That was a game changer. 
Im still using the Sensura convex  
They allowed my stoma to form into a cutie that works well nearly all of the time. 
She still pancakes occasionally but that’s my fault for not drinking enough at times and eating things that cause a stodgy output. 
I stopped wearing the belt as it just seemed another thing to worry about and bought myself some nice full knickers. They make me comfy and feel secure. 
It used to take me ages to sort myself out but now I’m sorted in no time. 
I use a little squeeze baby oil in the opening and squish it about , it helps quick emptying . Very useful at night 
Things do get so much easier  
I hope this helps. 

Hello again Chelmarsh,

Another few things you could try if not already done so.  I'm sure you know this, but do make sure your skin is completely dry before attaching your new bag.  Also warming the bag first can hep with the adhesion - I put mine on a towel on the towel rail or under my arm to warm it first.  I think some people also use a hair dryer (on warm, not hot)  around the sticky bit of the bag once it's attached to help the adhesive stick better.

I also use a little oil in the bag like Artsie, it really does help with emptying.

Fingers crossed it's sorted soon.

Take Care, Net77x

Yes. I was told to hold it to bond. Strange thing to say at the time I thought. 
When ready to attach place hand over and hold allowing warmth from the hand to bond it to the skin. 
It works 

Hi Kat51, Net77 and Artsie

Many thanks for your supportive replies some of which I've tried . Reading the types of bags you wear I think I must be a very strange  shape as I was advised to use the concave bags which are the ones causing  me most issues. I have gone vack to mainly using the flat bags with th baby oil tip a d find this the lesser of 2 evils but still having good to change frequently.  I've got my appointment tomorrow  so really  praying  that it can be sorted. Thanks again for your  support  xx

Good luck tomorrow. The nurses are so knowledgeable I’m hopeful they’ll have the right one for you. 

I had my bag shape changed a few times and Stoma nurse have me a selection to try and I got Slims from the supplier. Don't put talc or barrier  .I held the bags in my hands and that helps it stick.  had a faulty box  they were replaced the next day .Good luck .Alaine