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Help! Ostomy wafer

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(@mommy2)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 9
Topic starter  

Hi!  I've had my ostomy for about 2 months and at first the wafer was lasting about 5 days, but the last few weeks, the waxy part that sits around the stoma keeps pulling away from the stoma exposing skin.  Now I'm lucky if I get 2 days of wear before I have to change the wafer.  I've tried all sorts of prepping and nothing seems to work.  Any ideas?


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
 

Hi, mommy2!

Welcome to the forums!

Can you give us more details? What brand/product are you using? Do you use any stoma powder, barrier wipe, barrier rings, etc.?

Do you sweat a lot or live in a hot environment? 

Have you changed your shampoo, conditioner, body wash in the past few weeks?

Are you doing a lot of bending or physical activities? 

Have you seen a stoma nurse about this? If so, what have they said?

We'll help you figure this out :) 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@john68)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 2022
 

Hi And Welcome, being a new ostomate your stoma is reducing in size. have you been keeping an eye to measuring and changing the size of the hole.

ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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(@zvitusk)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 396
 

Dear mommy2, 

Please take or make the time to study Eric's videos. He has managed to cover so many of the questions and problems that we usually face and then he has sage, practical advice on how to deal with them. 

You are in the "Good Place".

Z


   
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(@mommy2)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 9
Topic starter  

Thanks for the responses everyone!  Yes, my stoma has definitely changed size since my surgery but I'm using a Hollister brand moldable wafer so and I adjust the ring size by rolling the excess until it fits snugly around the stoma with no skin showing.  I live in a cool climate and don't sweat much (it's cold here this time of year).  My physical activity has definitely increased since my surgery but it's more about chasing kids, a dog and a desk job vs. strenuous exercise.  As far as prep, I've tried powder, barrier films, foldable rings, none of the above and all combinations of the above.  I try not to wash the area around my stoma with soap but I always rinse with just water and let it completely dry before applying any ostomy products.  The wafer is a long-term Hollister with skin barrier the prep products are mostly by Brava.  Hope this helps give you more detail.  Thanks so much!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 


   
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(@john68)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 2022
 

Hi Mommy 2, One other question when you remove the wafer is it showing signs of erosion. their will always be some but to much is a sign of a problem. a barrier ring is always a good form of defence. One topic that Eric has raised here is product over load. some barrier wipes and other products if not required can do more harm than good. One other point is body shape. Not saying yer over weight (please feel free to tell a fella to mind his own business lol) but now your health is getting better a few pounds will be going on. Are you in contact with a stoma nurse.

ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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(@mommy2)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 9
Topic starter  

Thanks!  A bit of erosion yes and some leakage under the waxy part that’s supposed to be around the stoma.  Weight isn’t an issue in this cause, i’m petite and could probably gain a few pounds.  Stoma nurse said it’s trial and error.  


   
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(@john68)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 2022
 

Is the stoma a good size or small which could may be mean a convex wafer. Plus what does the nurse mean by "trail and error" is it being suggested you keep trying with the system you are using or are other wafers being offered. Sorry for so many questions but the more info Eric or other members with spot a problem!

ileostomy 31st August 1994 for Crohns


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
 
Posted by: mommy2

I'm using a Hollister brand moldable wafer 

In that case, I shared a very similar experience! 

https://www.veganostomy.ca/hollister-formaflex/#How_Well_Does_It_Work

When I initially tried a few samples, I seemed to be getting 3-day wear, which is totally normal for me. But as I started to use the product more (weeks and months), I noticed that it would melt below my stoma, exposing quite a bit of skin to my output. This melting sometimes occur within 24 hours, which is crazy to me!

To this day, I still don't know why the moldable wafer stopped performing like it originally did, and I don't know that I'll ever find out. 

As a temporary experiment, try using regular Hollister New Image wafers (cut to fit) and see if your wear time increases. 

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@mommy2)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 9
Topic starter  

Thanks so much!  I'll check out the link and try the other wafer!!  I appreciate everyone's input and support!!!


   
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Kerby
(@lkerby33)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 83
 

Welcome, welcome, to lots of info. Join Vegan Ostomy. Watch all of Eric's videos!!  My Ostomy was 4 months ago. I've been lucky ( so far)  ..no accidents, no leaks. I use mostly Hollister products. I do use a barrier ring around mycStoma before, applying wafer.. Luke Eric said : Make sure your skin is clean around stomach. I apply Barrier protection to help wafer adhere better. I've used without. I have smooth unruffled skin.  Just a precaution. Seems like a Barrier ring would keep your output from getting under your wafer. I press my barrier ring down, the inside of my wafer down, everything down as I go. I use hair dryer if I'm showering. Ive realized these products like the warmth of your hands.. Eric helped me a little. I asked some stupid questions. He's very patient. Feel free to message him. This Forum is awesome. It takes time. Try samples.. Mix, match if you can. Ask for help. I wish you the best. Linda


   
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(@mommy2)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 9
Topic starter  

Thank you again VeganOstomy!  The "melting" issue you described in the link is exactly what I'm experiencing!  Good to know it's not just me so I appreciate the insight.  I'll try the other one you recommended ;-) 

 


   
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(@mommy2)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 9
Topic starter  

Awesome, thank you!


   
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Barbara
(@msbjlee)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 452
 

Linda glad things are going well for you.  Keep up the positive outlook, it is highly important!!

Severe rheumatoid arthritis, spondoloarthropy, polymyalgia rhumatica, type 1 diabetic, IBS and finally, emergency diverticulitis surgery, colon removed Stella born Jan. 27, 2017. 6 bouts of c-diff, failed fecal transplant. Complete colonectomy and ileostomy July 30, 2018. ENOUGH!!


   
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Kerby
(@lkerby33)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 83
 

Thanks Barb... I have a New Family. It's nice to know I'm not going Batty at times. We all have our moments. ..There are those of you whom have had there share, plus. I feel at times that my issues are minor. 


   
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Dona
 Dona
(@dona)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 832
 

Hi Mommy2,

I seem to have had a similar experience. I use Hollister products EXCEPT I use Eakins rings. I used to use the Hollister and then they started not hold on me either ( The dreaded melting). switched to Eakins and its good now. But many people have just the opposite happen. They can't use Eakins. I think it must depend on skin types or shapes or some kind of magic??

I also had my stoma get smaller after surgery and retract a bit. The convex ( light) really worked for me. Ask your stoma nurse about that. They push down gently around the stoma so that the output has less chance of getting underneath. Use of a barrier ring also does that by making it thicker at the edge of your stoma. Worth asking anyway.

I did get the problem solved but it drove me nuts until I found this web site. AND WELCOME to the forum!

Onset of severe Ulcerative Colitus Oct.2012. Subtotal colectomy with illiostomy July 2015; Peristomal hernia repair ( Sugarbaker, mesh, laparoscopic) May 2017.


   
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VeganOstomy
(@veganostomy)
Admin
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 4193
 
Posted by: mommy2

Thank you again VeganOstomy!  The "melting" issue you described in the link is exactly what I'm experiencing!  Good to know it's not just me so I appreciate the insight.  I'll try the other one you recommended ;-) 

Such a shame, too! I love the moldable wafers, but not if they're less durable. 

I hope the regular ones work better for you. I would suggest that you let Hollister know about your experience - maybe the more people who complain the more they can get to working on a better version :)

Just your friendly neighborhood ostomate.
~ Crohn's Disease ¦ Ileostomy ~


   
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(@zvitusk)
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 396
 

I also had a melting problem with a Convetac moldable wafer. 

What i was looking for was a great seal around stoma that would not leak and itch.

measured stoma,  ordered precut wafer (mio) and Coloplast ring.  Ring is snug and does not melt . 

Now, i don't itch. Relief,  yeah!

P.s. i put paper tape around edge , only because i am crazy that it should not peel back from edge. After a while, it seals down nicely. Lasts a week. But it doesn't itch.


   
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(@mommy2)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 9
Topic starter  

Thank you!! It’s nice to get support and great advice from folks with the same experiences:). I appreciate it!


   
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(@mommy2)
Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 9
Topic starter  

I reported the “melting” issue to my Hollister rep and am anxiously waiting on samples of the cut to fit style wafers.  Thanks ostomy teammates—you guys and gals are awesome!!!


   
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