Hi Glenn,

I’ve had a handful of blowouts. One was similar to yours, at night, where I woke up with a big pile of thick output on my tummy, where the wafer had just “blown out”. It was also a one piece, and if I remember correctly, I had eaten potatoes too. Potatoes will do that. At least for me. ?

I have another anecdote to share if you ever have a blowout while at a party at a friends house. ??‍♀️

Hi gienn, I had my ostomy October 17 2019. I have had  3 (blowouts) . I believe due to excess gas  along with bowel movment. I have crohn's. I used Hollister, and the filter did not work for me. I just switched to Mio from coloplast and there filter ,and so far no ballooning and no leaks or blowouts. This has been a terrible problem for me so I am hoping this well solve this issue. I am very new to this as well, and I have been told it will get better. So far it has been a very difficult time, but it dose seem to be getting better both physically and mentally! I hope this helps ! Kevin

Hi Folks, Things that go bump in the night, the bogey man under the bed all the things that scared ya as a child! Well now we’re all grown up it’s our bag exploding ? it’s gonna happen sometimes. I am a lite sleeper and a few times when really whacked have been caught out. Even waking with it so blown up am afraid to move. A leak rocks confidence but hey we get back on the ostomy horse?

Well said, John. That horrifying werecat from the Thriller video has nothing on a nocturnal osto-nuke.

Glenn, you're more than welcome to come to us to "just share" these kinds of stories; it's one of the main purposes of this great community.

Kevin, yes ,it seems miserable and feels downright hopeless at times in the beginning, but these first growing pains of your new normal will soon be a part of your history as a mere stepping stone to a stronger, even more resilient Kevin Dieffenbach. I look forward to watching you grow as an ostomate and as a human being.

Liza, I still can't get over how well you handled that other story that you reference above, and what you put up with every day and still maintain a positive and supportive attitude.

I've never been a part of a community in which such a high percentage of its members have my admiration. For the mathematically curious, that's a hundred percent.

Hi Glenn,

There will always be that "monster" lurking in the background, and there is is always a first time for everything. Now that you've had your first blow out, the monster won't be so scary ?. Hopefully, it won't happen again ?. I have woken up a few time with my bag so filled with air, that I am surprised that I didn't float to the ceiling! I have learned to keep the spout untucked (and closed, obviously!)  from my appliance while asleep as it makes it easier when I get up and make my way to the bathroom to release the gas or output.

Stella

P.S. Kevin, things will get easier. Be patient  and kind to yourself.

@john68

I love this, John!  Great way to put it.  

@ileostony

Hi Tony:

I find it pretty easy to laugh at myself.  The Ostomy has given me new material to work with.  ?

@dieffenk

Hey Kevin:

I hope things continue to get better for you.  We're in this together.  Keep posting.  Thanks for sharing your experiences.  

Glenn 

Late Night Karma

Glenn, I'm sorry to hear about your blowout, but yours will end up being something I remember for a long time.  

Last night (after 11 weeks) I had my first BO.  I had decided to try a one piece flat wafer instead of my normal Marlen soft convex to help possibly heal a sore near my stoma.  Also decided to sleep not propped up anymore, which I have been doing. Altogether, bad ideas. 

Woke up at 2am and hand goes to check things.  Not good.  Bed and carpet saved but PJs into the washer and me to the bathroom for a middle of the night change.  Mental voice- it's ok, you'll get through this.

What I LOVED … I went back to lie down for 10 minutes to let my skin air out before putting a new wafer on and I picked up my phone to see if anything interesting.  First thing I see in my inbox is "My First Blowout". Oh my gosh,  I laughed.  What nice karma!  My mind- "that nice high school science teacher had the same thing- we'll get through it." 

Thanks so much for sharing.  Wishing you and everyone the best to get thru the lows knowing highs will surely be somewhere again around the corner.

Hi Lynne:

We are now connected by blowouts.  ?  I'm sorry you had to deal with that.  Late night adventures in ostomy land.  Thanks for writing about your story.  May your late nights not include this adventure again.  ?

Glenn

@ileostony

Thanks for your confidence Tony, I promise to hang in there, and throw  out some positive vibes! I believe this forum does work and help in a major way!

@glenn-giroir

Your welcome glenn, please keep sharing yours as well. The experienced and not so experienced are needed . Kevin

Posted by: @ileostony

Liza, I still can't get over how well you handled that other story that you reference above, and what you put up with every day and still maintain a positive and supportive attitude.

 

I've never been a part of a community in which such a high percentage of its members have my admiration. For the mathematically curious, that's a hundred percent.

Thanks Tony, that is so nice of you to say!!

And I know you know I am mathematically curious.  LOL.  I'm guessing for most, if not all, of the members here, the admiration is mutual!!

Blowouts are like a right of passage, it seems! LOL Everyone will experience it at least once - they are quite the learning experience, so while my night/morning may be interrupted, I do often look back to see what can be improved to prevent them from happening again. 

On the upside, I've learned that keeping a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide can save clothes, sheets, carpet from stains :)

@veganostomy

Thanks, Eric.  Yes.  Since that night, I empty my pouch once a night.  I normally wake up midway through the night on my own anyway.  So it's just a retraining of the brain to know that I have something to do before going back to sleep.  My non-ostomate self creeps in sometimes and forgets that I have things things to do.  I'm slowly developing habits.    

Finally being such a light sleeper is paying off for me. I am always surprised, and a little jealous of people who have to set an alarm to get up and empty their bag in the middle of the night.  I do miss being able to get up and go to the bathroom without turning on any lights. Something guys probably have never been able to do. ?

Glen...before long your new training  habits, will become a way of life, and you likely won't even think twice about it.  For me, I learned quickly on that prevention and always  being prepared worked  best for me. You're are really doing so well thru all of this.  Keep up the good work and the positive  attitude!  

@dlkfiretruck

Thanks, Linda.  You guys are so great!