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6 replies

lots of probs w eakins and bag changes

D DanitaMember
I have had my ostomy for 1 month, and at first no problems but now I am having itching and burning, leaks, and less wear time. When I change the bag, I can see that stool and liquid have been getting under the eakin seal. I have a loop ileo and I use eakin rings. My stoma is very irregularly shaped - it's not round or even oval but more like a wide gash shape, and it doesn't stick out past my skin.

There are so many things I just don't understand about what I am doing. First of all, I try to change the bag first thing in the morning so the stoma won't be active, but sometimes it still is. Last time it was putting out a LOT of liquid. And at other times when I've had to change the bag because it started leaking, this has been a big problem. How in the world are you supposed to measure your stoma, cut a new wafer, place the eakin etc etc when you have to grab TP to mop yourself up constantly?? I've spent an hour in the bathroom more than once just constantly wiping up - can't stop long enough to pick up the scissors. Everyone says if you notice it start to itch, then you need to change the bag. But how can you do it when stuff is flowing out?

Also, the eakin ring gradually spreads, and since the stoma is at or below skin level, when it spreads past the edge of my skin, it's like it's making a little cup that's always filled with output and breaking down the seal. My nurse suggested applying the eakin to my skin instead of to the wafer, but I couldn't get it to stick on top of the powder.

Powder isn't supposed to affect the seal, is it? I've tried it alone and with the barrier wipe to make a crust. I also bought some Calmoseptine for the itching, but I'm afraid to try it because I don't want to affect the seal. Has anyone used Calmoseptine? How does that work if you are also using powder?

I have a WOC appointment on Monday, but I've been so frustrated and I'm worried about making it through the weekend. Thanks for any advice.
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J JillMMember
Ok - afew things to try. Eat two marshmallows five minutes before a change - it will buy you 5-10 minute w no output - its the pectin.

Next, definitely put eakin on skin not the wafer, especially since you have an unusual shape to deal with. Use as little powder as necessary. I only use powder if I have irritation...it's not an every time thing for me. When you put powder on, brush away the clumpy part on top and just leave a thin layer below. When you apply the eakin, pull up on your belly to get as much pop from the stoma as you can.

When you are prepping your supplies, cover the stoma with a damp face cloth - it will make clean up much easier; use your undies to hold the cloth in place.
C chiromancerMember
The key to a successful application of an eakins seal is dry and clean skin. It simply will not stick to wet skin. You also have to get down to the skin so remove all the old residue of the seals, wafers etc. I would shower, clean tthe area with ivory soap and a wash rag make sure the skin is "squeaky" clean, no soap or adhesive residue. After toweling dry I used a hair dryer on low. I found that when forming a "crust" over an irritated area it is best not to apply the seal to the crust. So on clean dry skin I would get the seal on (this the critical part because after the seal is on the poop can be dealt with easier) and then fill in next to it over the crust by the stoma with stoma paste. Then I would apply the wafer/skin barrier. Apply substantial pressure for about a minute. Like you I had a nearly flush stoma and they are very hard to pouch correctly. I was getting about 2 days before the itch began. I had my stoma revised, it is now very easy to pouch the difference is like night and day. I dont need Eakins seals, have no leaks and dont think about it but my stoma now protrudes about 3/4 inch and that makes all the difference. You will likely struggle until take down but with time and experimentation you should be able to figure out what will work. I found coloplast sensura worked better then Hollister products, you must have a high convexity skin barrier with your stoma
DN D. NocerinoMember
I had the same problem with my loop ileo. My stoma was very flush with my body and had the same issue. As soon as I told the stoma nurse at the hospital about she gave me a new appliance with a riser, which is like a special ring to the flange that helps the stoma stick out, and it really helped.

I also had issues with changing and output. I waited 2 hours after I woke up, like if I woke up at 8 I would do the change at 10, and it behaved for a bit. It was to a point that I was so quick and changing and I did a lot of prep before I changed it that I didn't have to worry after that.

Hope this helps a bit, I know its frustrating but keep calm and stoma on!
R rncrowdisMember
My husband recently had an ileostomy and the area just beneath it developed what looked at first like a split in the skin. The doctor said it was normal, but it is now bloody and we are having leaks because the paste doesn't stick well to it. We tried putting stomahesive powder on it, dampening it, reapplying and dampening three times to make a crust, but the area is fairly wide and we aren't sure what to do. Don't want to keep changing bags..they are so expensive. We will call the osteo nurses, but does anyone have any helpful hints. This is really the only fear we have...that this area won't be able to get well because we keep having to cover it.
gmarie1208gmarie1208Member
Have you tried Convatec durahesive moldable convex wafer since your stoma is weirdly shaped. Call them at 1-800-422-8811 for samples, they are not stingy, they will send you four to try. I never liked the Eakin. I use the Brava moldable ring by Coloplast. Lots of folks also like the Adapt barrier ring. Instead of using the whole ring I cut in half make a circle ring of it and shape it into the wafer. I have an end ileo and it has taken me almost 9 months to find something that halfway works. No system is perfect. Get yourself to the nurse so she can troubleshoot for you. Don't be afraid to mix and match products from different companies. If you still have trouble and the skin is bad you may have to use some Duoderm dressing or ask the nurse about Marathan liquid skin protectant. I found about about these two products from Ostomy nurses and trolling on the internet. I am guessing you are going to have this for only a couple of months before reversal? When I had the temporary I remember it being a pain towards the end because it was so flushed to my skin.

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