Hello,, Recently I can get only about 1 or 2 days out of a wafer. I use to be able to get 5 or 6 days.I have had the ileostomy for 8 years and have got good time out of wafers but in the past 4 months it has gone down to no time at all. Been doing everything the same. Even bought some eakin seals and I got 5 days when I tried the first one but after that it only last about a day and a half. I clean the skin good and use remover and use skin prep but it will not stick good. I dont know what to do now. I am having a difficult time at work having to change the bag often and cleaning up the mess. Does anyone have any ideas? Thank You,, Paul

You might want to PM JillM or Shell since they seem to have come up with good systems. Have you been to the doctor? It seems odd that you've been doing well for all this time and then it all changes. That is probably a good reason to contact your doctor.

kathy

Hi Paul,

Have you put on or lost any weight lately? Sometimes a change in body shape can cause problems with the type of wafer you are using. Also has your diet changed at all? If my output is very watery it can undermine the seal and if it is too thick it can push under the wafer.

Which type of wafer are you using? I suggest Convatec's moldable durahesive convex wafers because there is no need for any pastes or seals. They really do mold to every contour. If you go to Convatec's web site you can order samples for free.

Hopefully a few more of the guys will be along to offer their help.

Good luck.

Shell

Paul,
Are you using an old supply of wafers you've had for a long time? Maybe the wafers you are using are defective? If you have another box of wafers or maybe another brand in your arsenal of supplies then I would try that to rule out the above. Do you use a ostomy belt? Helps with wear time.

Seems after 8 yrs. it would be strange you would be having trouble with leaks. And lastly have a stoma nurse check things out if you can't get no satisfaction. Good luck..

Well I have no big weight gain, just about 5 lbs.The stools are watery and sometimes thick. I am using convatec active life and the wafers are new. I just got a order in and they leak also. I am also trying the eakin seals. I thought for sure they would do the trick but no luck. I am not sure about the convatec moldable durahesive wafers. I will have to look into that. Thank you for your help.

I also did a step by step post on a system and have had about 15 ppl in the last month or two PM me and tell me it has worked great for them. If you do a search you will find it. Shell and Jillm are great and I think in time once you find a system it will be for you too. So do a search - if you cant find it PM me and I will send it to you. Good luck

I replied to your PM with everything in it good luck.. I am sure Shell and Jill will be here too helping out
I was lol yesterday was day 4 or 5 with my set and I mowed the grass (pushed) and then pressure washed my shed and then went for a huge walk and hot tub ... everything stays perfect and I will get my normal 6 day wear... So I hope we can get you to a normal 3 to whatever time frame .. some ppl just are build differently and 3 days will be the norm!

My first thought was diet changes. When I eat something sweet, my output increases and becomes very watery and that degrades the seal more. Sometimes if I eat out I have the same issue because the restaurant uses different things than I do at home...

Also, where are you storing your supplies and has that changed? Or have you had a particularly hot or humid spell where you are?Temperature can sometimes affect the adhesive strength.

I'm a three day change person. Longer than that and the skin gets irritated. I use the Convatec durahesive convex wafer (have you tried convexity? Could your stoma have started to recede or aim more toward the ground?), an Eakin and a drainable pouch. Stomahesive powder if needed. I'm pretty minimal in my supplies.

Hey, just had another thought - any chance your supplier sent you STOMAHESIVE wafers instead of DURAHESIVE ones? Stomahesive wafers are better for folks with colostomies and can degrade quickly with the consistency and frequency of an ileostomy.

Jason I looked for your step by step post and can't find it any where. Can you please PM or link it for me

Thank you

never mind found it!

Hi JILLM ,,to answer your question, it has been a very humid summer here. I really don't know about the stomahesive vs the durahesive but I am sure it is ok because i use to get good wear out of them. I will check though. Sometimes I do wonder if the stoma is receding though. I have looked at it just while sitting in the chair and sometimes I think it is not out like it usually is. Might be my imagination. You all have give me something to work on.Thanks

If you think your stoma is changing and you haven't tried convex wafers yet, give them a try. They make all the difference for me.

As for the stomahesive vs durahesive the wafers would look exactly the same, but should say stomahesive or durahesive on the back of each wafer package. It could be that someone made a mistake in your order and sent the wrong one...

What is eakin seals? I have a new stoma that is hunched over and a major problem with bag leakage! They switched me to a single stage bag with wafer, but not holding very long!
Danny

Paul,

I was away from home and in the Bay Area last week where I had a tough time with leaks. Turns out to be a combination of things: the water where I stayed is very softened - seems that people prefer it, but it leaves a slick on the belly that no matter how hard I rubbed dry with a towel, couldn't get off, so the wafer didn't sitck well.

I forgot my own Ivory soap, so used shampoo or a lotion soap, and that, too left residue that meant the bag didn't seal as well.

My stoma has shrunk dramatically in 6 weeks, and I keep having to move down in opening size, or now, I'm buying the turtlenecking soft ones that really do protect the skin right at the wafer edge.

Lastly, I don't take as much time when other folks are around to warm my appliance so it adhere well...just need to focus more. Good luck - you'll find the problem and its solution!!

Barbara

Danny, Eakin seals are moldable rings that you put on under your wafer. They help pop a stoma up and add a layer of protection for the skin. You should also think about convex wafers as they too pop the stoma up so that the effluent goes into the bag instead of under the skin.