Liza, I would be frustrated too! Obviously, I can’t know your exact situation, but have you tried a convex flange? Would that help? It made a lot of difference for me. Hang in there; I hope you get to the bottom of this soon.

Laurie

Hi Liza,

I do hope that you'll find a solution s to your leaking issues soon.  I can only begin to imagine your frustration in all of this.

You once mentioned that you had a hernia. Was that taken care of? (Forgive me, but I have a lousy memory .) Have you looked into Coloplast's reverse convex system, which was designed with perastomal hernias in mind? Just a thought.

Stella

@tigerlily 

Thanks Laurie. I have been using a deep convex flange and also a barrier ring, as I have skin creases and a bit of a “moat” around my stoma. 

I have always had an issue with getting leaks, but I thought I had things figured out so they were less common, but lately something is going on. Maybe my body is trying to tell me I’m not actually ready to go back to working full time??  🤣 

Maybe thickening things up would help? My surgeon said I could take as many as six Imodium per day

@sjlovestosing

Hi Stella. You are correct about the hernia, except that it wasn’t peristomal. It was on the opposite side as my stoma. They were supposed to fix it last October when I had surgery, but they ended up finding other problems they had to deal with, including a fistula from my wound bed to my small intestines so they had to cut out that section on my small intestines. With the hernia, they sort of just tucked things back into place, and warned me that it was 100% sure to return and we could deal with it then. 

@rick 

Thanks for the suggestion, Rick. The leaks don’t seem to discriminate depending on my output, but with an ileostomy, it is often more liquidy than thick. Do you have any problems with the Imodium?  Could it cause a blockage?

@squeakyandliza I'm so sorry that you're going through that. I went through a time where I was changing my appliance way more often than I wanted and it does take a toll for sure.

Leaks are so hard to troubleshoot because there could be multiple causes and even random "unexplainable" causes that never end up getting resolved. 

Is there any pattern at all that you can think of that might explain what's going on?

• Are you being more active? Less active?
• Does it happen more often at certain times of the day?
• What, if anything, has changed from when you were getting better wear time (and this change could be anything from a diet change to the soap you use)?
• Does the leak always happen where the dip in your skin is or has it happened in other parts of the wafer? 

Congratulations on the successful interviews :-) and Sending Best Wishes you can figure out what's causing the leaks or that they just stop and you get thru this temporary low. 

@rick use caution with Imodium. My surgeon also gave me the thumbs up for 8 per day, but it’s best to start slowly. It can cause constipation, which could possibly lead to a blockage. The other problem I have with Imodium is that it makes me drowsy. If I take 6 in one day, I really can’t stay awake. However, I was taking 4 per day for a long time, but I have been able to cut back drastically. I try to incorporate foods in my daily diet to thicken output - like applesauce, starchy food like crackers, and even a small amount of Metamucil. That seems to help. It’s like a never ending puzzle sometimes - I know everyone here can relate. 

Liza, I think Eric is on the right track - there must be something that is even slightly different that is causing your leaks. Finding it is like the proverbial needle in the haystack. For me, I would suspect my diet first, if that isn’t it, then something else, like the summer heat, medicine, fluid intake…. Or, it could be that your body is changing, and it might be worthwhile to try a new pouching system. It’s maddening for you, but you will get it sorted. Hang in there.

Laurie

Posted by: @veganostomy

• Are you being more active? Less active?
• Does it happen more often at certain times of the day?
• What, if anything, has changed from when you were getting better wear time (and this change could be anything from a diet change to the soap you use)?
• Does the leak always happen where the dip in your skin is or has it happened in other parts of the wafer? 

Hi Eric,

Thanks for you response. Those are very good questions. 

• I would say my activity level is about the same. It was so hot that I wasn’t able to get out and walk as much. But I have been watching my niece’s 2 month old baby off and on. I wouldn’t be surprised by leaks on those days because a lot of bending over to pick him up, change him, etc. But that is only about once a week. 

• They are all over with time of day. No rhyme or reason. 

• We did have a very hot summer, but I’m not outside a lot. I have a medication that makes me very sensitive to sun, and I’ve had 2 episodes of skin cancer removed over the last year, so really try to stay inside as much as possible. I think my diet has been pretty consistent, maybe eating less meat/poultry than usual. No change in soaps or anything. My weight fluctuates a bit depending on exercise, and free time to prepare healthier meals. 

• This is the easiest to answer. At least 95% of the time, the leaks/breaches are in the exact same spot. On the left side of my ostomy (toward where my belly button was) right in the middle, which is where there is a big crease and where my skin folds when I bend over. I have been using a convex flange and a barrier ring, with a small extra piece of ring right on the spot where all the leaks happen. That has been working relatively well until recently (mind you, well for me is 2-3 days 🤣)

One thing I have noticed recently is that it looks like the ring is starting to melt under the wafer, but only where the leak ends up occurring. I feel like that is creating the path for the breach to happen. But I know I can’t go without a ring or paste. And the ring doesn’t do that anywhere else, which makes me think it is the crease/bending over. Either way, it is frustrating!!  I had to change again today, less that 24 hours after my sunday change.  Ugh. 

@lynne 

Thanks Lynne!!  It feels so good to have a really good interview, and I had two in a day. 😀

@tigerlily 

Thanks Laurie!  I feel like a new pouching system is my last resort. I like mine and I have about 4 months worth saved up (which right now is a very good thing with how many I’m going through)

I wonder if it could be hormonal?  I’m at the age where I feel like menopause should be around the corner somewhere??

Thanks for your response.  😀

Posted by: @squeakyandliza

I have been using a convex flange and a barrier ring, with a small extra piece of ring right on the spot where all the leaks happen.

Ok, this might be a clue. Barrier rings aren't designed to fill gaps like stoma paste is designed to. I'm not surprised that it's melting, which does open the floodgates (no pun intended) to leaks. 

Do you have access to strip paste? It's not in a tube like regular stoma paste is, and it's much closer to a barrier ring, but it comes in a strip rather than a ring. This might offer better results when filling the gap, but I'd imagine it might still be a challenge due to the fact that skin moves when you move.

I don't have much experience in this regard, so I can't offer more tips based on experience, but I really hope that a solution is found.🤞

@veganostomy 

Hi Eric,

That is crazy that rings are not meant to fill the gaps. It seems like everyone, including my stoma nurse has recommended them. And usually I have the same results with rings or paste. I can certainly go back to paste and look into the paste strips to see if that makes a difference. So, what is the purpose of rings then?

@squeakyandliza I mean, they most certainly can be used to fill gaps, and I'm sure many people have success with them doing that, but it also depends on the ring.

Some just melt and wouldn't hold very well in that context, while others are quite durable and don't melt at all. Those would be better for gaps and can be rolled up, cut up, and molded to fit the situation. 

And not all paste is good, either. Too deep of a gap and paste won't work well; it also won't work well to hold the wafer as an adhesive (it's NOT an adhesive) while some barrier rings might do a better job keeping things together. The way that most manufacturers explain paste is like caulking. Strip paste is closer to a rolled-up barrier ring. 

The traditional use for barrier rings is to create a buffer around the stoma to act as a barrier for output getting to the skin. 

BUT....

As you've probably figured out through experience, the Ostomy Game often comes down to "whatever works", so if barrier rings have worked for you (at least, in the past), then they were perfect for the situation. 

Hi Liza,

I'm not sure I can offer help except to tell you that I relate and have gone through episodes like this too and it took time and a process of elimination to solve them. I too am curious

Posted by: @squeakyandliza

So, what is the purpose of rings then?

The rings and paste strips seem to work about the same for me as I have dips and a hernia. 

Most of all I want to support you and how difficult re-occurring (or even one for that matter) leaks are mentally and emotionally. I admire some who handle these with a resilience that I struggle with.  I need to reassure myself to persevere as best I can.  I can tell you that I have always been successful in finding a solution.  My heart goes out to you.  I hope you can find the answer soon and are able to go back to work when you are ready.

~Joanne (I wish there was a heart emoji) 

@squeakyandliza ...hi Liza! I'm so sorry your struggling again! That is exhausting & very trying on a person even as said,  mentally too. Ugh! Like you needed this!! 

I went through a time of many leaks and I'm sure this is what drove me to find answers & thank Heaven,  accidently stumbling on Erics videos & VO.  I sure didn't hesitate to join up here! 

At the time of all my leaks, I learned 3 things. 1...I'm stronger then I thought. 2...I had been using the 1 or 2 adhesive remover wipes like the nurse did in hospital. 3... I needed to use the sprays in combo with wipes. I also stopped using the rings.

So, I took to a major skin cleaning & was surprised how many wipes it took before my skin was & felt squeaky clean!! 

I rinsed & dried it then reapplied the barrier wipe around my stoma then skin, then the spray.  I have to keep my stoma up & dry with tissue while doing this.  I used the suggestion of a blow dryer to dry my skin & spray & warm the wafer/baseplate just before putting it on.  Also now sit to put my pouch on too.   Basically I had to go back to taking my time changing a pouch & do a more thorough job. Ugh! The lessons I've learned the hard way & before VO! ERIC.  please accept this virtual hug my dear VO  friend!!! 

LIZA, I so wish I could help in some way. You have had so many nasty trials by fire since your stoma! Hang in there, you can get thru this again. Your a strong tough cookie!!!!!! Plz, also  accept a virtual hug from me !! 

Posted by: @veganostomy

The traditional use for barrier rings is to create a buffer around the stoma to act as a barrier for output getting to the skin. 

Thank you Eric.  That was a helpful explanation of the rings vs paste strip.  I haven't had problems with leaks for a while so I'm crossing m fingers and not messing with changes.  But I do have issues with irritation around the stomas under the ring so I might give the strips a try.  I've tried to stop the rings but very time I do I have a leak so I definitely need something to fill the gaps.

Posted by: @dlkfiretruck

I rinsed & dried it then reapplied the barrier wipe around my stoma then skin, then the spray.  I have to keep my stoma up & dry with tissue while doing this.  I used the suggestion of a blow dryer to dry my skin & spray & warm the wafer/baseplate just before putting it on. 

Thanks Linda.  I'm going to give your tips a try to help protect my skin.  I also use a blow dryer on my skin , barrier wipe and to warm to wafer before applying.  I think it has been a main reason for stopping my leaks.

As usual, this site, the people here and Eric are an invaluable support and tool for living with ostomies.

Going to interviews and then pondering the results of the interviews can cause increased levels of stress. Concern over going back to work and how it will affect things can cause stress. Of course stress will change what is coming out of you.

Maybe you have changed your diet? If you feel well enough to go back to work, you may also have become more adventurous with your diet?

It may be a combination of the two?

Maybe go to a blander diet for a while during this period of possible change. And relax! Getting back out there is scary in many ways. But it is a great plus in most ways. Look to the benefits! Don't worry so much. Getting back out there is an adventure. You can figure out the inconvenient things.

Stress will cause acidic problems. That will more quickly attack our gadgets. Maybe some antacid medications will help? Distractions from stress? Sex, booze, rock and roll? Other legal things?

Look forward to getting back out there.