Just wanted to share that I finally got around to trying an Eakins Seal this AM when I changed everything out, and WOW! Those suckers are great!

One of the biggest, if not THE biggest adjustment to an ostomy is getting a combination of products that gives you confidence to get out there and live.

The stoma paste has always worked well for me, but I always felt the need for extra support of a belt, especially if out, and as the bag would fill up.

The Eakins Seals feel like a giant suction cup, and man do they hold!

Applying the seal was a little strange because it was VERY early in the AM, it was my first time, and my stoma would NOT behave, so I was kind of rushed.

However, thinking back about it, it's actually a lot easier and quicker than using the paste, and like I said, that sucker is ON there!

If anybody out there hasn't tried them and is still using paste because that's what you're used to, I highly recommend giving the seals a try!

My 2 cents...

//Todd

now that i.m back to a ostemy last time and this time I always have used them and love them hate the paste..

just make sure the area is really clean or the seal will leak , like the old seal or and waste etc... I have seen nurses and hositol argue with me on that and they like with in hrs and I laugh at them. some nurses never listens. My et nurse rocks but the normal nurses may do some need some training on ostemys and such they make me sick.

They make all the difference for me - wouldn't go without them. PLus, much easier to remove the residue from the Eakin than the paste!

I am glad then that the ET Nurse never mentioned anything other than the eakin seals for me. They do work great.

Jill,
I found that the paste was WAY easier to remove than these Eakin Seals!

The paste never left any sticky residue around my stoma and shaving the hair that has grown was VERY easy.

However, when I take the wafer off with the Eakin, there is enough of the residue stuck to the hair that has grown in to be a real pain to get off!

I know you probably don't have the hair problem, but do you find that when you change you have the sticky residue around your stoma? If so, how do you get it off?

Monday I tried the wet washcloth trick a good friend of mine suggested, but it was a real pain because I can't wear my glasses in the shower, and when I got out, there was still a bunch left over.

Thanks!
//Todd

Funny how we're all different, huh? The paste just clumps on my skin and makes removing the wafer harder; with an Eakin, I can pull right up no pain, no pulling.

I do have some residue from the Eakin, but being a less is more kinda gal, I just use my fingernail in the shower to scrape away any that is left. I found using wash clothes and other stuff more irritating than just gently scraping; plus, I have more control when it is just my nail vs trying to manage a washcloth. Plus, I'm pretty lazy and will do anything to avoid more laundry!

Can you use Eakin seals with all appliances? I thought I heard my nurse say you can't use them with one piece so I was wondering if you could.

Thanks Jill- will try that when I'm a little further along!

Jared,
I don't see why you couldn't use them with a 1-piece... I used paste with a 1 piece while in the hospital.

//Todd

I have found that the difficulty in removing the Eakins seal is somewhat related to the length between changes. If I change my system after 3 or 4 days then usually the Eakins comes off pretty much as a whole piece. If I try to get more wear then sometimes the Eakins starts to "melt" a little and it is much more difficult to remove. I use a combination of adhesive remover wipes, washcloth and fingernail to remove the excess adhesive.

Interesting Janice...I'm a 3-4 day changer due to a pinhole next to my stoma that irritates my skin if I try to go longer...wonder if Todd is getting longer wear?

I've used Eakins iwth a one piece no problem.

Personally I never got on with either the pastes or the eakin seals. I'm very much a less is more sort of person so discovering the moldable wafers was like the best thing since sliced bread to me since I don't have to use anything else with these.

Well I have the same thing with the moldables. If I leave too long between changes (I change every 4-5 days) then the moldable wafer breaks down and leaves a lot of residue on my skin.

I use an orange oil based medical adhesive remover so I have to make sure I clean around Wee Willie really well to make sure the skin is squeaky clean. I use a Tea Tree body wash when I don't have too much residue from the wafer but when I do have residue I just use whatever soap I have to hand.

I don't have a problem with using ordinary soap, even the creamy ones because I always spend at least 5 minutes aiming the shower head at the skin around (not on) Wee Willie so that usually gets rid of any residue whether it is from the wafer, the orange oil or the soap. When I have finished my skin is always squeaky clean. I believe that this is why my skin is in such good shape. I think that the warm water stimulates the blood supply to the area and keeps it healthy. I also think that it helped with the healing process when my skin was showing signs of breakdown (very rare since I use the moldable wafers).

We're all so very different and one size definately doesn't fit all when it comes to our skin and ostomy appliances.

Shell

Should I be using the whole eakin seal or should I cut a small piece and form it around the stoma? I've had two nurses who both did it differently and now I'm confused.

Do what works best for you... my stoma is flush and even with a convex wafer the eakin helps push it out a bit more with the help of a belt.. so I always use the whole thing.

New ileostomy here. I looked at Eakins seals online (since everyone has such great things to say about them!) and it looks like they are rings that go completely under the flange itself? How do these compare to the Hollister Adapt stuff (which you roll into a snake and put around the flange just around the stoma hole before applying)? So far I'm getting good mileage out of the Adapt and convex flanges, but today is the first time I've tried to go to 72 hours (and will probably go to 84 before I change--my stoma has shrunk and I need the smaller size flanges and bags now, but the medical supply people are Not Open on Weekends!), so I'm not running on a whole lot of data here.

Can anyone explain the difference?

Thanks,
CPG

Hi Charlotte,

I don't think there is much in it to be honest. Whatever works best for you. Some people prefer the eakin seals and other like you prefer adapt.

If you are worried about how much your stoma has shrunk and don't have the wafers that you cut to size then these sort of seals are great because you just need to use a bit more to make your snake thicker before applying it. Only I put it around your stoma directly onto your skin rather than on the wafer itself and then just place the wafer over the top. This will make sure that your seal is snug to the stoma and will fill in the gap in your wafer.

Good luck.

Shell Shell