I got an ileostomy 10 days ago and the bag has not stopped leaking. I am under the care of an ostomy nurse and we are trying to find the right products. I feel like they will never be found and my leaks will never stop. I am really depressed and just want to die! Has anyone ever had this problem and how did it turn out? In the end if no products work, can surgery reposition the stoma, and I worry if that stays? I am in such a bad state of mind. Also, this was my sixth surgery and I had an ostomy for three years without a single leak
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Is it diverting or perm? My temp diverting gave me hell the whole 8 weeks I had it. Sounds like you aren't new to the ostomy scene. Have you tried a convex wafer with a belt to compress it? My placement was too midline and always ended up with bellybutton leaks. All. The. Time. Enough to make me batty.
Had similar prob in the past...have you tried a product called eakins seals...also..make sure ostomy wafers are fresh...they are dated, and a bad box or package of supplies may have poor adhesion...
Get a perfect fitting wafer opeing, attache eakins seal to back of wafer with exact same size opening and apply to clean dry skin...Hope this may help...if not, the ostomy nurse may come up with a solution for you...believe me, I know how you are feeling...but, with the right pouching system, you will be much better....hang in...
I used the convex barriers by Hollister and put the adapt paste around the ostomy hole on the barrier. It helped create a better seal.
Did you remove your pouch or just divert it? Besides this problem are you feeling better?
Hi, Cheryl:
Do not despair!! I had a horrible time with my ileostomy and feel that if I managed, anyone can. Unfortunately, it seems like a trial and error game. You need to find out what works for you. Are you still in the hospital? I was in the hospital for 2 weeks after my initial colectomy and j pouch construction. I had a wonderful ostomy nurse but no one could get my bag to stop leaking! Eventually, I tried it myself. It was the longest seal I got.
After I was released I had on going issues. I tried a variety of different brands and different accessories. My aroma retracted big time. And to top it off I'm overweight. (I blame 2 yrs of steroids! :-)) My skin was raw and bleeding. I felt they was no way I would ever get a deal with my skin was so weepy. At one point, I had to pick up my son for preschool. Things were so bad that I had to wear a loose dress, and tie towels around my bag just to make to to
pick him up and get home.
My advice is to try it all. Figure out what works for you and run with it. Everyone is different. After reading all these forums, I tried the convex rings. Everyone swore my them. They didn't work for me at all.
Here is what I did. I started with the cavalon skin prep. The spray. Not the little sponges. To me, it was a difference! I layered skin prep with stoma powder. I alternated for 2 layers of each. Then I used a convex wafer. I used the cut to size and I always cut bigger that I needed. I had to off center mine. My skin isn't even so there were always gaps. I filled in the gaps with adapt paste. All the way around the wafer. Then I used ilex paste on the exposed skin in an attempt to protect it. Then I put my bag on. I also used the little belts. I wore mine on the right side as to pull the appliance in as much as possible.
Phew!! That's what worked for me. Don't fret! I know it sucks but you just have to find what works!
Do not despair!! I had a horrible time with my ileostomy and feel that if I managed, anyone can. Unfortunately, it seems like a trial and error game. You need to find out what works for you. Are you still in the hospital? I was in the hospital for 2 weeks after my initial colectomy and j pouch construction. I had a wonderful ostomy nurse but no one could get my bag to stop leaking! Eventually, I tried it myself. It was the longest seal I got.
After I was released I had on going issues. I tried a variety of different brands and different accessories. My aroma retracted big time. And to top it off I'm overweight. (I blame 2 yrs of steroids! :-)) My skin was raw and bleeding. I felt they was no way I would ever get a deal with my skin was so weepy. At one point, I had to pick up my son for preschool. Things were so bad that I had to wear a loose dress, and tie towels around my bag just to make to to
pick him up and get home.
My advice is to try it all. Figure out what works for you and run with it. Everyone is different. After reading all these forums, I tried the convex rings. Everyone swore my them. They didn't work for me at all.
Here is what I did. I started with the cavalon skin prep. The spray. Not the little sponges. To me, it was a difference! I layered skin prep with stoma powder. I alternated for 2 layers of each. Then I used a convex wafer. I used the cut to size and I always cut bigger that I needed. I had to off center mine. My skin isn't even so there were always gaps. I filled in the gaps with adapt paste. All the way around the wafer. Then I used ilex paste on the exposed skin in an attempt to protect it. Then I put my bag on. I also used the little belts. I wore mine on the right side as to pull the appliance in as much as possible.
Phew!! That's what worked for me. Don't fret! I know it sucks but you just have to find what works!
Thanks Megan B and everyone else for your advice, I did find the right product and no more leaking! It was actually the very first product that my ostomy nurse ordered for me with deep convection, I am so happy, my skin is good and I got my life back!