Which bag is more recommended for high loose output? My stoma is flat and new. I was the queen of blow outs in my month long hospital and rehab stay. Nothing new to me for 3-5 blow outs in one day until one sticks. Using wafers with eakin rings along with paste. One and two piece bags I've tried. Can't figure out the difference. I do like the filter bags for sure. My skin is very sensitive and I've dealt with erosion already. That was awful.
One company sent me a huge supply of the MIO bags and they just look small compared to the other bags I've been using. I had called for samples only and they sent me a huge supply to charge my insurance with approx 60 of these bags that I've never tried. Should I send the smaller bags back and ask for samples like the original conversation? They included plenty of each product to be used in the monstrous box. Not the little trial is asked for.
I'm just lost. I've been told I need a convex for leaks due to my ileostomy and liquid output.

What seems to work for others here. I'm so confused and lost. ...
Thank you in advance, Jennifer

Hi @jenniferfussell:disqus . I have a "mini guide" to pouch liners that may offer you some insight: https://www.veganostomy.ca/mini-guide-to-ostomy-pouch-liners/

Hi @jenniferfussell:disqus .

I'd recomment taking a look at this article to help you better manage your loose output: https://www.veganostomy.ca/dealing-liquid-ostomy-output/

When it comes to appliances, generally speaking it won't matter if it's a one or two piece, but you might do better with "extended wear" wafers. The barrier rings can help, but I'd try just the wafer on its own and move from there if you need to (sometimes the rings erode quickly, as you've experienced.... try different brands).

Good luck!

Eric, would you talk a little about clingy sticky iliestomy output. Still dealing with it. You said you had it before. How you manage it. Wits end here. An still waiting for ostomy Nurse to call me. You think grape juice would help? Thanks. lia

That type of output is definitely the most frustrating. I address a few strategies on managing thick output in this article : https://www.veganostomy.ca/dealing-thick-ostomy-output/

I have had my colonoscopy for 6 months and have always had a problem with pancaking, thick stools around the stoma and leaking. Last night I read some of your articles, changed my pouch, and put some oil inside the pouch. Today I had an almost full pouch with no pancaking and no leakage! I know it may be too early to know if this is permanent, but I am so encouraged and excited!!!! Thank you so very, very much.

Good luck, Gail!!! That sounds promising!

I'm 4 weeks out of surgery. My dr prescribed iron pills. These make my output smell sooo bad and dark and pasty the smell is what I hate the most. I get paranoid around ppl and I know ppl can smell it. I've tried the mouthwash and baking soda and the iron seems to make the bag weaker. I've cut back to 1 pill every couple days so that it is close to changing day.
I also want to say thank you! When I was released from hospital they gave me NO directions at all and I have had to rely on internet for answers to everything. It took me 3 weeks to get supplies. (I had to make bags last 7 days) so for us frustrated newbies ur website is so relieving and helpful. Please keep it up.

Hey, Robin.

Yeah, iron pills do crazy things to our output! Are you taking it with food? That may help a little, but consider getting an ostomy pouch deodorant to see if it also helps.

Wishing you all the best!

Eric

My Mom is 91 years old and had to have a colostomy is May, ever since then ,her appliance has not stayed on for more than 2 days. She has pancaking all the time,her wafer comes off sometimes 4 times a day, her output gets all over her clothes and her. Very expensive and frustrating, any suggestions to help us out?

ER

Hi Debra,

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's trouble.

I have an entire article that goes through possible reasons why a bag may not stick:
https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-appliance-wont-stick/

It will likely take some investigative work to find the true reason, but I hope that the article gives you some direction in where to look.

I have had an iliostomy for 8 years. It took many months to find an appliance that would last for more than 12 hours(I tried every major brand). It was a Cy-Med 1 piece. I wore this for about 5 years and consistently got 3 days out of them. All of a sudden they started pancaking and leaking after only a few hours. After investigating, I found out that they changed their formula of their wafer. They started using a more advanced extended wear hydocolloid. I called every warehouse in the USA to get all Cy-Med's product manufactured before they started using their new wafer. This supply lasted me another year while I started to find a replacement. Salts from the UK has a product that works but it is convex and creates other issues(edges curl). Long story short, I know how to put on an appliance but something in my skin just does not do well with these new hydocolloids. I have talked with multiple ostomy nurses from hospitals and appliance manufacturers. Has anyone had a similar problem and found a workable solution?

Hey Tom,

That would be a great question to ask on the Community Forums : https://www.veganostomy.ca/community/

I'd be happy to discuss this there!

This post is for Robin who has the odor problem. I tried everything. Then I discovered chlorophyll. I take 2 tablets per day and it reduces the odor to almost nothing. And chlorophyll is an excellent antioxidant so it's really good for you. The principle here is to help solve the problem internally. Bag deodorants help but they only attempt to mask odor. Other pluses to chlorophyll is that it helps freshen your breath and it will actually reduce armpit odor. It's very inexpensive. About $8 per 100 tabs on Amazon.

Good luck and let us know if it works for you.

Colostomy on August 21, 2017. I use a small rubber syringe to wash my pouch when I empty it. I had the idea to use that syringe to add a little water to my pouch when I discover pancaking. About a teaspoon of water seems sufficient. It seems to work well. I'm up at 3 AM reading this site to validate my idea. I add the water at the ring as if "burping" the pouch. Thank you for a place to go.

I'm glad you found a method that works for you! Thanks for reading 😀

Hello friend,
No matter how new or how old the videos are..or better yet, "the message's" I find the help I need with what you have to teach us. I myself am dealing with very watery or very thick stool's. For my more thick stool's, drinking a coffee cup full of very warm water solves the problem almost right away. (I found the answer in your vlog) I'm sure the reason my stool's are thick is due to my diet..also, I take a narcotic type medication, and depending on how often I take it, it I think will thicken it more so then if I'm not taking much. Also, I know I need to drink more healthy fluid's, such as water, healthy juice's from time to time would be beneficial. My bad..I need to drink more period! It's I'm sure a good way to keep your insides healthier too.
Eric, you told me once to try and eat smaller meals through out the day because I was having trouble being up all night dumping my bag, and same during the day. I have found that by sticking to a more regulated diet, a structured diet has made my life alot less stressful. I'm not perfect, I do mess up from time to time and have struggles, but usually find the answers right here on your channel. You have been a blessing for sure!
Ok, the other reason I wanted to leave a comment was I was reading where a lady had trouble, small blockages, and not much output during the day but at night. She also said the opening to her stoma due to a surgical error was partially under her skin as well a bit above. I have this issue as well.. I had my second stoma revision a few weeks ago, still just a bit below but oh how it has made a huge difference. Now the trouble I still deal with is leaking on the skin just under my stoma. I love how the cohesive rings help, though I think my next bag change I'm going to give the past a try. My only concern had been, will it come off my skin like the ring?? We will see! Anyway, just to let the lady with that concern, yes...a revised stoma helps. Also, its Important that the Dr make sure no kinks. From her troubles, sounded like a possibility. I think Eric, you were concerned about that too.
Anyway, l feel like such a comment hog when it comes to your posts, and vids'..but I can't help it, you have totally changed my day to day life! I truly owe it all to you Eric! I could not have gotten through these past several months without your help! I still struggle with issues not related to my stoma and diet per-say, more wound issues. I've had 5 surgeries since this past Oct..don't want anymore! I have to say though.. because I've been trying to eat healthier, get more rest and drink plenty of water, my wounds are healing better. So again, thank you! Still, when it comes to concern's I have about my iliostomy, I know where to go to see if the answer is in something you have written or talked about. For example, I've been having alot of belly sounds, gergling, air sounds etc. I was wondering if I could still have a partial blockage maybe without knowing. I don't have pain, but at times pressure below stoma area. Or in my case..I have a huge hurnia that after I'm all healed, I WILL deal with! Curious though..is this common in Ostomy paitents?
Ok, so...
I still am coming to terms with the fact I have an iliostomy, not happy about it, and hope to one day except it. Having you on my side does help 100%. I have a hill to climb here, alot to take in even still. I'm sure many of you out there in my same shoe's. One of my biggest concerns is..will I be able to care for this when I'm older??! Or, if I have it reversed, will I have bowel obstructions after. Insurance issues etc. I need though to focus on my day to day, not worry about tomorrow. I know this, yes. Just hard sometimes. Eric, time to get your therapist license..lol You could be an all in one for us Ostimates! Lol
Thanks again, and have a wonderful week ahead!
Mary

I have had my colostomy for 2 1/2 yrs and just lately I am having difficulty with the pancaking and it leaks out. It is very embarrassing and I am paranoid. I have had to change the pouch three times in the last three days and my skin is getting very raw and sore. I also have a permanent colostomy cant be reversed so I need to figure out how to solve this problem. It is getting quite expensive besides being painful. Any suggestions

Hi Esther. Have any of the suggestions in this article helped?

It sounds like you may have multiple issues going on - the raw skin won't help, so that should be addressed.

Have you been able to speak with a nurse about these leaks? If it's not related to the pancaking, they should be able to offer a few suggestions on what to try next.

Best of luck to you!

Thank you, I have read the articles here but none have worked in the past. One nurse told me to pour water in the pouch to clean but think maybe that's why the pouch leaked the water broke the seal. I dunno just grasping now