I just learned that convatec now has a new eakin seal called  Eakin freeseal versa. I'm allergic to the original eakin seal but the rep told me about these new ones they make, and they don't leave a gunky mess on you.

They lift off one piece instead of leaving all that gunk on your skin like most rings, do. They are not silicone either. There's supposed to be amazing for liquid output as well and They are sending me a sample, so i'm very excited about this because i'm sick of the sticky mess. Maybe I won't be allergic to this one either. 

So I just thought I'd post this to let everyone know that there's a new barrier ring out there. 

A while back, I posted photos about a product that is no longer available, which hangs off your waist band to make a small pocket to support the weight of your ostomy bag. See here. @arichards159 might find this next one of interest!

Recently, I came across another product by accident, which was designed to be used as a dog treat pouch, that goes inside your pocket. Made by Dogopal (manufacturer's page).

Since this product looks *very* similar to the one made for ostomy bags, but used a magnetic latch instead of hooks, the gears started turning in my head!

So, I ordered one, and gave it a try.

The quality is quite good, and the size is spot on!

The magnetic latch is genius, but it will not work well as an ostomy pocket through fabric like jeans or thick material. BUT... when placed face out and hanging off my waist band, it works incredibly well with the thin Lycra shorts I wear for cycling! This is a material that's too thin for the other Ostomy Pouch Pocket to work on, but it's thin enough for the magnet on the Dogopal product!

I thought it was worth sharing, since it's such a unique and relevant use case for us all. And, for those who are crafty, a modified version perhaps with a strong or wider magnet might just work with everything!

I've attached a photo from the manufacture, but let me know if any of you want more detailed photos!

They peel quickly, don't bend where the skin does, and eventually irritate the skin with that abrasive edge.

I'm not talking about something like a Sensura Mio, which is flexible enough to work like tape, but the thick stuff like what Hollister and some other brands have.

What are your deal-breakers?

I have getting towards the end of my supply of Coloplast plugs so now searching for alternatives. I know no other brands do plugs, so what is the smallest stoma cap currently on the market? The smallest? Flattest? Most discreet?

Today at a support group, of 12 people, not all with stomas, another person said they are having the same issue and it is a quality control issue.  

Icing on the cake, they will only replace the used bags and told me to keep using the ones from the same boxs, even though every one of them has failed this way.

I have been to grocery stores, hardware stores, dollar stores....the smallest bag I can find is HUGE for my purposes as they are meant to line small garbage cans.

Where are people getting their refuse bags from???

For two years, I’ve been using Hollister M9, designed to “eliminate” ostomy odors. While it worked for that purpose, it also caused constant stoma irritation for the time I’ve used it.

Recently, I put two and two together and read the label on the M9 bottle. Lo and behold, it said to discontinue use if irritation results. As soon as I stopped using it, the irritation ceased.

A word to the wise: READ THE LABEL! 🙄 

Meredith

These Hollister Cera rings have been terrible for melting lately. I'm not sure if it's my body heat, the weather or something else but they are turning into a mucky mess within just the first 2 empty s. It's getting frustrating because it then makes the stoma sink below the whole in the wafer. I've had this issue on and off with these things. The brava and other rings have given me a rash in the past. I was not able to get a sample of the plain adapt rings. IfI go without a ring then I leak around the stoma. I can't seem to figure out what's causing this but it's worrisome.  I've even thought about the soap I use maybe. Not sure if they have made changes to it recently. I was told by a nurse you can use just plain water but if you use adhesive remover I dint see that plain water would be getting off all of the adhesive remover.  I'm wondering if I might not have a build up of adhesive on my skin but I clean the area very well.  The things we go through with these ostomies, but I guess it's a better choice than the alternative in which was suffering prior to. 

It's genius in design, and not only helps to support the bag, but it also conceals the bag as it hangs outside of your pants.

I received a few as samples, and before I could review them, the company went away. They look easy enough to make if you're good with a sewing machine.