Hi all,

Well, I had my first solo bag change today. WOW! It was a 5 day long journey with the old bag.

So, I am staying with some people because I don't live near the hospital where my procedure is performed. Consequently, out of respect I haven't showered without the bag (that comes in a week when I go home). Anyway, I was showering with the bag on and it started to "slide" off. Boy I just can't get over that smell. I quickly jumped out of the shower and started the bag procedure. I felt like I was in some kind of benny hill scene (theme song and all). Stuff was shooting out. The smell. I didn't have all my supplies in one place. The smell. I had to dry off. The smell. Where to stand? The smell. Need more paper towels. Oh, and don't forget, the smell. All in all, it took prob 20 min to get the thing on.

Not something fun.

I did notice a few things though. There appears to be a little gap that opens up between my intestine and skin when I depress the skin. it is only about 2mm wide and 2cm long. Is this normal? Also, I have begun to itch more. Or, at least more than last week and only in one spot. I did kind of scratch it when I had the chance, but it is right under the flange. No skin irritation, just a "tickle-like" itch. Normal? Perhaps it is from healing.

Anyway, I am glad I don't have to do that everyday. 'Twas much easier when the ET nurse changed it for me.

Z

Ah, the smell... try a tic tac in your bag.

I know this wasn't a 'scheduled' change for you but considering the situation I would say you did pretty well. At first it seemed to take me forever to change my appliances, but you'd be surprised at how quickly you adapt.

I have heard many others say that they eat a few large marshmallows about 20 mins before they go for a change, the marshmallows slow down the output so you don't have to worry about things shooting out.

As the for the little gap, my ET nurse gave me some 'stuffing' material to put in when I change the flange and it healed up on it's own. Mention that when you see your ET nurse next.

Also, the tickle could mean you have a bit of leakage under the flange, keep an eye on it and make sure you get a good seal. Or it could be that your skin is sensitive to the paste or flange and you may have to try a few different brands. You can contact all the different suppliers for samples, don't be shy. I lived on samples for quiet a while!!

Keep up the positive attitude and you'll be fine

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jpoucher,

Zap,

Back when I had my ileostomy, I got a big ol' package of cheap white washcloths from the warehouse store. You can keep them stacked up on the bathroom sink in easy reach in case this happens again. Then when you're done changing, throw the washcloths directly into the washing machine with hot water and bleach, and they will be ready for next time. Good luck!

bec

Oh god the itching- my skin was always raw and weepy because it itched so bad, I would just rip the wafer off and start scratching my skin off.

As for the tickling...I know what you mean...I think it might be the bag slowly lifting off your skin. I never got that tickling on the first day I changed the wafer, it was always a few days after.

I remember my first bag change was so hard. I was sore and absolutely exhausted. I was almost too tired to sit on the toilet long enough to get it done.

I agree that you seem to have done very well for a bag change on such short notice. I had a sore open up between my skin and my stoma also. It started out small, but got a little bigger. They figured it was because I was still tapering off the pred and it was taking longer to heal. They just had me cut the wafer hole a little bigger to accomodate and I would sprinkle Karaya powder in there before putting the bag on.

Once I got a routine down with my supplies, I rarely had the tickle, but I know exactly what you mean. I used a spray barrier on my skin first, where ever the bag would be sticking. I got one by Nexcare I think. I first applied the Karaya powder, then sprayed on the barrier and let it dry for a minute. After that I always used Stomahesive paste around the hole in my wafer because it made me feel more secure. I applied the wafer and then snapped on the bag and I was good to go for 5-6 days.

Now that you've got the first one under your belt, they'll just get easier. Next time you'll be ready with your supplies and it will be a breeze.

Good luck!
Erin

Hi Zap,
Poor you - stressful first solo flight. Well, you seem to be coping far better than I did. I cried my eyes out and yelled and swore at my stoma, like that's ever helpful .
The tingle could be that you're reacting to the adhesive. In which case, maybe it's an idea to order free samples of other appliances so you can see if you tingle less with them. Also, I found the stomahesive paste a real help. I did the same as Erin and always squeezed a ring of paste around the base of my stoma before applying the flange/wafer. It made it much more secure. I felt like a plumber at work!! It's sooo hard not to scratch the skin (I did all the time even though I knew it just made the skin worse) but try not to. Sounds weird, but even scratching the skin outside where the flange is can actually help. The feeling kind of "travels", like dropping a pebble in water. That way you can scratch the itch but not actually irritate the skin under the flange. You really want to make sure the itching doesn't escalate as the skin can get irritated in a very short space of time. Oh, and yes, marshmallows before an appliance change helped me every time. Good luck! It gets easier, I promise.

When you get home and in a routine, just set up all your supplies on the bathroom counter so you're ready to go when you get out of the shower. Make sure the area is really dry before you start. The itching can be a sign of leaking -- I say, when in doubt, change the wafer, just to be safe. You don't want to spring a leak at a bad time (like when you're away from home, etc.)
Sounds like you did great the first time!

Hi Zap
I had the itching and weepy skin..then changed from Stomahesive Paste to the Adapt barrier rings and it made a world of difference for me. I may have been allergic to the paste, I don't know but my skin cleared up and the itching stopped. I have only had my stoma for 9 weeks and the first time I changed, my hands shook so bad I could hardly cut the flange. I got all sweaty and nervous and was afraid I would "hurt" it or do something wrong. I still don't like doing the change and haven't picked up the nerve to shower without the bag yet. But it does get a little easier each time. Hang in there!! nys

You will get used to the smell. Actually I think once everything inside adapts, it doesn't smell as bad. Or maybe I just got used to it. It gets easier to change the appliance everytime you do it. The number one thing is to always be prepared. Pretty soon you'll be able to do it in your sleep.

" have heard many others say that they eat a few large marshmallows about 20 mins before they go for a change, the marshmallows slow down the output so you don't have to worry about things shooting out."
This is why I love this site-the tips are priceless.
Re: The "smell" - could it be any worse than the UC/Flagyl/Iron stuff I smell now? I work in a public setting and been using a public restroom 5-8 times a day for the last 2 years.Some "NORMAL" people smell twice as nasty...

The marshmallows really do work. I eat 5 big ones 30 minutes before I take off the old skin barrier and jump in the shower. Actually, it's reached the point where the only thing that I don't like about change day is the darn marshmallows. Ugh - - toooooo sweet that early in the morning! But, as I said, they work like a charm.

It is always a good confidence builder to change your first bag, especially in an emergency or in trying circumstances. My first was while still in the hospital, I woke at about 2:30 with a full and leaky bag. I changed the bag before calling the nurse, knowing that if I coukd do this in an emergency, non-emergency changes would be a piece od cake.

I am sure you learned a few lessons too, especially about keeping your supplies together.

How I remember the first time! Nearly 3/4 of an hour in the bathroom and I was completely shocked by the whole thing.

We have a different system in Belgium and I changed my bag every day - got it down to 3 minutes in the end - hah! I loved getting in the shower with nothing on (yes, I had to time it right) and the lovely clean feeling of the warm water getting rid of all the itching and mess; my shower was the best time of day.

It will get better! Courage!

I was so bad...I literally didn't change my own bag for almost the whole time. My husband helped me. I would do everything but stick it on. For the longest time I was squemish about the stoma and so excortiated I couldn't stand it, but once I got healed up (took forever) I was better dealing with it. And if you think that smells.....stay away from fish. That was the the most grosse thing in the world. And it stays in the bag, so if you are to have fish make sure your due for a bag change the next day.

Zap, Brings back memories, And I realize yours was an emerengcy situation, but under normal conditions this is what I did, The first thing I learned was to change my bag after 4 days!! in doing that, I could change it at my convenience,and avoid accidents (it worked most of the time) I would change the bag early in the morning before having anything to eat, (stoma seemed to be pretty slow at that time)I would get up, take a shower without the bag (that felt good) after the shower I would lie down, and let the area dry very well, (I always put the bag on while laying down) then I would apply a very,(very almost nonexsistent), light coat of baby powder, (medicated)
I would then apply the bag, and continue laying down applying some preasure to the bag. after a few minutes I would get up put on my ostomy belt, and was go to go. (if you do not have a belt, I would highly recommend one!!). All of the advise given by other postes is GREAT,Having all your supplys at the ready is of the utmost! Good Luck Den