My husband sneezed yesterday and felt instant pain. Ever since then he has gone through 7 bags, can't stop the leaking and can't get the bag to stick. Skin around stoma is very raw and bleeding. Looks like a very bad diaper rash. He is actually using duct tape to get it to stick now which is not feeling very good on his skin! Any suggestions on how to heal the skin or get the bag to stay on.
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What are you using (product wise) at the moment?
He's using Coloplast Bags (1 piece) and Adapt Barrier Rings. I was also searching for a ostomy nurse hotline if anyone knows of one.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Hi, sorry to hear about this. I don't know of any hotlines in the US but maybe try calling Coloplast to speak with one of their stoma nurses. Also, does your local hospital have a stoma nurse? There also may be a list of stoma nurses if you can find an ostomy america website or a chrons and colitis website....
Ended up in the ER, did cat scan to make sure no rupture and thank goodness there was not. Skin still very raw and infected, on antibiotics. Going to try and air out as much as possible today. Hospital gave us recommendation for stoma nurse, going to try and reach her today.
Did the doc say anything about him having a yeast infection under the pouch? That may be what's causing the bleeding rash (unless it's where the skin is ripped off by removing all those bags! Ouch!)
I used a powder under there called Zeasorb. It can usually be found where you'd find foot powders at Walmart and Walgreen's and it's pretty fast acting.
How long has your husband had the pouch?
I had this very same problem with my pouch. Could not get a bag to stick for anything. Even the hospital and the stoma nurses were at a loss and couldn't help. Because of this, they did a pouchoscopy after only 2 months to see if the newly created pouch had completely healed. It had, so they did the next step right away. They usually wait for 3 months. Maybe they'd be willing to move the next surgery date up for him.
What these surgeons have been doing, is creating a stoma that is too short. When the stoma retracts, stool leaks out behind the barrier ring. All that acid burns the skin and melts the adhesive so the bag won't stick.
The big problem is, the adhesive only melts in certain areas causing the bag to leak, so you have to remove the bag in order to attach a new one. All that adhesive that didn't melt, sticks really good!!! So when you remove it, it rips your skin off with it. Then you have to put new adhesive on totally raw skin; sometimes, several times a day. If you think that's what's happening to your hubby, you can pm me. I may be able to help a little bit, but like I said, in the end I just had to get that bag off me as fast as possible.
I really feel for him. I've never lived through such a living hell as those two months.
For those of you contemplating this surgery, don't let this scare you off, but it might be wise to investigate ahead of time and find a surgeon who will creat a stoma that will actually reach inside the bag.
My stoma nurse told me this has happened because there was a cocky surgeon somewhere who taught a bunch of new surgeons how to do this surgery. If I remember right, he accidentally made the stoma too small, but that was what the new guys/gals saw, so that's how they make them.
Praying for a good outcome for your husband.
-Roni*
I used a powder under there called Zeasorb. It can usually be found where you'd find foot powders at Walmart and Walgreen's and it's pretty fast acting.
How long has your husband had the pouch?
I had this very same problem with my pouch. Could not get a bag to stick for anything. Even the hospital and the stoma nurses were at a loss and couldn't help. Because of this, they did a pouchoscopy after only 2 months to see if the newly created pouch had completely healed. It had, so they did the next step right away. They usually wait for 3 months. Maybe they'd be willing to move the next surgery date up for him.
What these surgeons have been doing, is creating a stoma that is too short. When the stoma retracts, stool leaks out behind the barrier ring. All that acid burns the skin and melts the adhesive so the bag won't stick.
The big problem is, the adhesive only melts in certain areas causing the bag to leak, so you have to remove the bag in order to attach a new one. All that adhesive that didn't melt, sticks really good!!! So when you remove it, it rips your skin off with it. Then you have to put new adhesive on totally raw skin; sometimes, several times a day. If you think that's what's happening to your hubby, you can pm me. I may be able to help a little bit, but like I said, in the end I just had to get that bag off me as fast as possible.
I really feel for him. I've never lived through such a living hell as those two months.
For those of you contemplating this surgery, don't let this scare you off, but it might be wise to investigate ahead of time and find a surgeon who will creat a stoma that will actually reach inside the bag.
My stoma nurse told me this has happened because there was a cocky surgeon somewhere who taught a bunch of new surgeons how to do this surgery. If I remember right, he accidentally made the stoma too small, but that was what the new guys/gals saw, so that's how they make them.
Praying for a good outcome for your husband.
-Roni*
Army Mom and Roni
This all happened to me,awful time I might add.
I had reserval surgery within 2 1/2 months.
I could not get a bag to stay on no matter what.
There is a product but I NEVER used it.So I truly do not know if it works.When you meet with your Nurse ask her about it.ILEX cream I have read it helps with weeping skin.
there is a webpage on it.
I feel for your hubby TRULY.I do not wish what he is going thru on a soul.
I agree with Roni someone in my eyes was not taught enough.I did have a yeast infection .
HUGS to both of you.
I finally bought baby diapers yes and Depends n padded myself long enough so I could go out of the house for short periods of time daily.
A nightmare I won't ever forget
Cassiecass
This all happened to me,awful time I might add.
I had reserval surgery within 2 1/2 months.
I could not get a bag to stay on no matter what.
There is a product but I NEVER used it.So I truly do not know if it works.When you meet with your Nurse ask her about it.ILEX cream I have read it helps with weeping skin.
there is a webpage on it.
I feel for your hubby TRULY.I do not wish what he is going thru on a soul.
I agree with Roni someone in my eyes was not taught enough.I did have a yeast infection .
HUGS to both of you.
I finally bought baby diapers yes and Depends n padded myself long enough so I could go out of the house for short periods of time daily.
A nightmare I won't ever forget
Cassiecass
Roni and Cassie,
Thanks for the very nice replies. They did not mention a yeast infection but the skin around his stoma is very red and infected. He had a pretty good day today up until a few minutes ago when it started leaking again, he's in the shower again. I feel so bad for him, he really does not look well and is now very tired, might be a side affect from the antiobiotics. He's actually had his pouch for 10 years now and this is the worse problem he has had so he's been very lucky. I think he's mostly worried as he has a pretty new job and is planning on going to work tomorrow even though I told him he should stay home. Roni, what did you use to finally get the bag to stick? Cassie, I'll check out the ILEX cream and see what I can find. Thanks for any help you can give us, I really appreciate it.
Thanks for the very nice replies. They did not mention a yeast infection but the skin around his stoma is very red and infected. He had a pretty good day today up until a few minutes ago when it started leaking again, he's in the shower again. I feel so bad for him, he really does not look well and is now very tired, might be a side affect from the antiobiotics. He's actually had his pouch for 10 years now and this is the worse problem he has had so he's been very lucky. I think he's mostly worried as he has a pretty new job and is planning on going to work tomorrow even though I told him he should stay home. Roni, what did you use to finally get the bag to stick? Cassie, I'll check out the ILEX cream and see what I can find. Thanks for any help you can give us, I really appreciate it.
Roni,
Just ran to Walgreens and bought that, was getting desperate tonight. It makes sense that that would work, I'll let you know. And I'm sorry I guess I did not explain that the J Pouch did not work for Mark, he had to go to a colostomy.
Barb
Just ran to Walgreens and bought that, was getting desperate tonight. It makes sense that that would work, I'll let you know. And I'm sorry I guess I did not explain that the J Pouch did not work for Mark, he had to go to a colostomy.
Barb
Good morning Barb,
How's your husband doing? Did he go to work today?
Yesterday you said he didn't look well. How does he look today? Do you think it's just stress or is it possible something else is going on?
I'm sorry I can't be of further help, because like I said, the only thing that helped me was to get that bag off of me.
I'm just concerned there might be something they missed in the ER. Like what caused that pain? I hope he's okay and you guys can get something figured out. Please keep us updated.
-Roni
How's your husband doing? Did he go to work today?
Yesterday you said he didn't look well. How does he look today? Do you think it's just stress or is it possible something else is going on?
I'm sorry I can't be of further help, because like I said, the only thing that helped me was to get that bag off of me.
I'm just concerned there might be something they missed in the ER. Like what caused that pain? I hope he's okay and you guys can get something figured out. Please keep us updated.
-Roni
Another thing to help the irritated skin is using Milk of Magnesia. There are some other posts here on how to do it.
But basically, putting a thin coat of it on the irritated skin and allowing it to dry before putting on the bag can help protect the skin.
Check it out.
So sorry this is happening.
But basically, putting a thin coat of it on the irritated skin and allowing it to dry before putting on the bag can help protect the skin.
Check it out.
So sorry this is happening.
HI
Been thinking of this all day .Try applying thin layer of maolox or mylanta and allow to dry.has to be dry prior to applying bag
Keep us posted
Been there myself
Cassiecass
Been thinking of this all day .Try applying thin layer of maolox or mylanta and allow to dry.has to be dry prior to applying bag
Keep us posted
Been there myself
Cassiecass
I had this exact same thing happen. My stoma nurse helped immensely. I was given a strong cortisone spray to use under the wafer, a belt and other things I cannot remember as it was 10 years ago. I hope you get into a nurse soon and am sorry you have to deal with this.
Thanks for the replies everyone, we really appreciate all the help. Roni, he is back at work today and feeling better. You were a lifesaver with that powder, it really did seem to help and my husband wanted me to tell you thanks! I had also heard of the Milk of Magnesia and will keep some of that on hand. Bag stayed on all day yesterday so hope it goes well while he's at work today. Have a great day everyone.
Has anyone tried the adhesive-less bag systems, like nu-hope, or others? I dont think they would be very good for sleeping, but looks like may work ok when upright, and not laying down.