Stoma covering?

Eric,
I use 1/2 of a nursing pad (whole one is pretty big). They are very absorbent, just hold it on with a bit of paper tape. Can pick them up in any walmart or target type store. A box of 60 usually runs in the $8 range which is very budget friendly!
--
katie

I use 2 cotton balls on the stoma and cover that with these little round makeup remover pads (very cheap at Big Lots) then 3 inch paper tape and it's not cheap. But the paper tape is a MUST. I get it for 3.00 per roll. Last a week.

If you are not embaressed look in the kotex section and buy the big pads and cut them cover with paper tape much more absorbant than the cotton balls. You can use one kotex a day and put paper tape at each end and put cotton balls inside and just replace the cotton balls every time you intubate (insert tube) Hope that helps.

Carry a kit with you at all times with a bottle of water and a 30 or 60cc syringe to blow the poop out of the tube into the toilet. No one likes us using their sinks to clean the tube. What a hassle I know but you can get used to it. I also carry a bottle of spray to cover the smell as that is one of the problems that bugs me the most. They have small bottles of spray like they use in the hospital at the supply stores (not the pharmacy) or online. Doesn't smell like perfume like the bathroom deodorants.
Good luck, Jeanne

I use Ampatch at times, but my insurance covers it. I didn't use it at first though since it ruins the skin with constant removal. Now I use one or two for the day. But for most of the time if I am home I just use a kotex pad cut up in 3 pieces, a big bag lasts awhile actually. I cut all the pads up at once then stuff them back in the bag they came in so it's less work. If you want to use tape to keep it in place that will do or you can use the sticky part against your underwear. This might be a better option for you at first, easier on your skin with the irrigation schedule.

I only use this tape, so worth it and it lasts awhile. What they use in the hospital at the BCIR program. No skin irritation or pain removing it. BSN Stretch Cover Roll , comes in different sizes. Amazon Link for BSN


Photos of some Kotex action. I never wore pads and now I buy them! lol

Hi Eric,
Nice to hear that you are home,
I use cut up, very skinny minipads, stuck to the inside of the undies placed at the right spot (you have to check to make sure it is well lined up with the stoma) and then a folded up mini kleenex next to the skin...if you wear tight undies like I do then you just place it on the skin, no tape or sticky stuff...I only tape it down at night when I don't want to wear the unddies!
Very economical because I only change the piece of mini pad once a day and the kleenex cost nearly nothing...keep a pack in my purse and they do not attract attention (especially for a guy...you do not want people wondering why you run around with minipads in your pocket!)
Also the fact that I don't use tape during the day makes a big difference on my skin.
Sharon

Hi Eric,
Dr. Cohen was my surgeon & I also have a huge amount of mucous discharge to deal with. I imagine you were given the Mestopore stoma coverings at the hospital. There are two types of Mestopore coverings - the regular "Mestopore" & there is also another type, called "Mestopore S". Give the "Mestopore S" a try. They look exactly the same as the regular Mestopore, but you can lift them off & stick them back on. After the white pad inside is soaked, which only takes an hour or two with me I take the internal pad right out & replace it with a folded up piece of toilet paper. I have been able to use just one of the Mestopore S stoma coverings for an entire week by doing this, so they are very economical & work just wonderfully for me. - Dixie

Dixie you are so lucky we do not have them in the US. I tried to get them to mail them to me and they would not do it. Oh also the paper tape I use is 3M and it is 2 inch not 3 inch. Since I was a nurse I got it free from my work place. Now I have to buy it and it never hurts my skin. Does leave some scummy junk behind that I have to peel off. The mestopore S sounds like such a great invention I can not believe I can't get it. Jeanne

I use washable nursing pads, so I buy enough so I can get by between laundry day. You can use anything washable cut up and folded under the nursing pad if you need to. I either use paper tape or my undergarmet to keep it in place. I change my pad around 3 times a day. Usually after I intubate is when I have the most mucous. I've also noticed certain foods affect the amount of mucous...like with me it's milk. You can take antihistimines to dry things up too if you have alot of mucous. In time, this will also become less. Your body will adjust to your new plumbing in time. Good luck with your new pouch!

just a word of advice if you are cutting up sanitary napkins or nursing pads:

I have tried that to save money and to have a smaller covering. I have found that when I have a lot of mucous discharge there will be leakage from the cut covering. This is because the seal around the original napkin/pad has been cut allowing moisture to leak out the cut end.
So, if you plan to try this, wear it at home.
I did it many times and kept returning to the same product. The nursing pad of my choice.
Every one has there own preference; you have to try.

Les,
The only problem I have found with the cut up mini pads is, effectively, that the cut end leaks their ultra absorbant 'stuff' (kind of a gelatain-like sandy stuff) and that can irritate the stoma if it remains in contact with it.
I use the cut up minipad stuck to the inside of my unddies to protect my clothes but cover the stoma itself with a folded up mini kleenex that sops up the mucous.
I've been doing this for about 20yrs with no consequences (other than the fact that I don't tape down the kleenex during the daytime and it can slip and slide around)
It also depends on how damp you get. I am permanently on antihystamines so I am not normally too damp but after intubating frequently or a lot there is quite a bit.
Sharon

quote:

I use washable nursing pads

Is there a brand that is more absobent than others? I love the idea of this and someone else mentioned it to me but I have brain fog. I get tired seeing my garbage can filled all the time and washable is more green ;-)

As far as the gelatin I found out not all brands of the mini pads form that. I got that from one brand but the kotex I am now using doesn't form the gelatin. I usually run the woven tape over the whole square so it is sealed below and nothing drips out.

I am less damp now but not enough where some people can just stop using a pad. I don't get the mucus substance that much unless my pouch is very full and gassy. Otherwise mine is just straight water it looks like that comes out. If I don't patch it it looks like I got into a fight with a faucet or some how magically pissed myself that far up ;-)

I don't remember the brand of washable nursing pads I bought, I got them years ago and still use them. I bought pretty lacey ones, they are absorbant and keep the moisture in. I use cut up pieces of t-shirt, I cut them into strips and make them big enough to fold up a couple of times. This is my way to save money and go green. This is very economical and chemical friendly. I don't have alot of mucous, when I have the most is after I intubate. I've noticed I have less over the years too.

Hi Eric....the mucous is sometimes worse in the 1st few mos as you are emptying more then you will after pouch matures.

But, with that being said, sometimes mucous persists. FALL IN LOVE WITH THE MUCOUS. It's going to help reduce erosions later from the wear and tear of the cath (as soon as the holes look even a tiny bit torn, toss it). Any moisture plus lube is a good thing. And, sometimes it's better or worse based on what you've eaten, medication, etc.

Now, lots of good ideas here. You'll find what works for you!

Hello,
Just and idea. I have had a Kocks Reservoir for 38 years following UC.
I have proved to myself that it is foods that contain high levels of fat that cause mucous.
I am very good normally and eat health foods, but if I forget and cheat, the mucous is a real problem. I keep dairy to a minimum. I understood that dairy can be a problem for UC so this seems to make sense. Patricia

I was just in Florida for a week and didn't even need to cover mine. It has nothing come out. I think here in Dallas where I flood water it looks like must be allergy related. I have no allergies in Florida but developed one here.

Really? Mine always oozes mucus, not a lot, but enough to cover my stoma. If I don't it leaks through my underware and pants!

I believe mine is all allergy related. Just wrote a blog update about it http://arsetopia.com/2012/08/3...kness-and-weirdness/

Eric,
A stoma is supposed to have mucous, just like your mouth is supposed to have saliva, it is what preserves the tissues from drying out, cracking and bleeding...not having any mucous is a bad thing (think dry-mouth)...having just enough to keep your stoma moist at all times or a bit more is good....too much or not enough is less good but not a sign of something being wrong...it is exactly the same as your mouth..you put certain foods or spices into it and you get more mucous (spicy, milky, sweet), you stimulate it by multiple intubations (pulling the tube out a lot to remove residue blocking it, intubating often due to gas...)just like chewing gum stimulates the salivary glands...it is a natural process...some of us have a lot of mucous naturally and other have less...when I intubate and things go fast (under a minute) then my stoma cover can remain practically dry other than a moist layer over the stoma itself, when I am irritated then I need to change ofter (up to every hr)...so don't sweat it...use everyone's suggestions for covers that are ultra absorbant and protect those boxers with a half mini pad stuck to them in the right place to give you emergency protection incase your stoma cover leaks.
Sharon
ps...sometimes I find that if I go and change the cover 1/2 hr after intubating then I am dry for the whole afternoon...it is usually the first 1/2hr that I secrete the most.

Eric - I decided to try the Gerber Washable NUK Nursing Pads & was surprised at how well they worked. I used a new one each day & used a folded up piece of toilet paper inside of them, which I changed about every hour. A tight pair of undies held them in place pretty good. I washed them using a cold water wash soap specifically for delicates & they came out very clean. Would definitely be a good replacement for the regular stoma covers if one was low on supplies or wanted to save money.