I'm new to all this [4 months] but paranoid about running out of anything! I found out that Medicare will pay for a certain amount per month and so I'm trying to get on a routine for ordering. I've figured out what my average is per month for a "change out" - pouch, ring and barrier strips. I read somewhere to have set aside a two week supply of every thing so I have that. And I now know how long it takes for Medicare to bill me and then post my payment. Once they have my payment posted then I can order again. It's looking like I'll be able to order about every other month. That will give me enough to always have extra on hand. Like you said, with the world the way it is, one just never knows what is going to happen!

Hello... Good questions! I asked Hollister about this one time over samples. They said the pouch's were good for 5 years. During a long hosp. stay recently, my son mixed up pouches for me & the ones past 5 yrs have proven Hollister right. 

There are expirey dates on the short end of the boxes, maybe someone else can explain that for you, my cararacts rebel over small printing.  

I order 4 boxes at a time, and put on the Osto e- z Vents & they last me anywhere from 5 to 6 months, but as soon as I'm half way through I order another 4 more boxes. I think I have close to 10 months in stock depending on change/wear times now.

I agree, covid was a bit of an eye opener based on supply & demand & staff availability & I don't want to repeat that experience so yes, I have a good amount in my supply & I've never been sorry.  I order up to 4 cans of adhesive remover spray & 4 boxes of wipes & the same for the l barrier spray & bcuz I use less of the barrier wipes, I order 2 boxes of those wipes. I always order exactly what I need in the C shaped stretchy tapes to match what I have in pouches.  I rotate the boxes by the dates on the pharmacy lables. 

I'm sure others have good ideas here as to what they order & stock.  I live in a small town with small stores that have limited storage space, so you may want to take that into consideration as well. 

I have the same worry, since Covid, about getting supplies in a timely manner. So I order about 6 months supply at a time. In Canada, I’m not limited by any constraints put on by insurance, although I worry that this could also change someday.

Laurie

Posted by: @rick

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Do the bags and barriers have an expiration date or become less effective over time, or last forever?

Yes, but usually after YEARS. I've got an article that might help: https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-product-expiry/

There are pros and cons to stocking up.

If you are able to get your supplies free, get as many as you can. At worst, you'll be donating the ones you can no longer use.

If you are paying out of pocket, I'm a little more conservative and will only get enough to last the next 2–3 months.

If you've got a very consistent stoma and predictable appliance, there's no harm in getting 6+ months of supplies. Where I hesitate to recommend stocking up is if you're still trying to figure out which products work best for you.

Some things, like gauze, adhesive remover, etc. I tend to stockpile since I'm not worried about them expiring.

@granddayout how old do you have to be in the US to get the Medicare?

In the US you have to be 65 to get Medicare - but if you are disabled you can get Medicare after 2 years of receiving Social Security disability payments.

Posted by: @veganostomy

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Posted by: @rick

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Do the bags and barriers have an expiration date or become less effective over time, or last forever?

Yes, but usually after YEARS. I've got an article that might help: https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-product-expiry/

Good to know, thank you for the information!  

cygo