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hey guys...just a few questions about stomas and bags

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Posted 2/19/2008 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
hi all

as u all know im adjusting to the bag and the stoma, i'm going tomorrow to get my cathetar removed but i have a question about cutting to fit. My stoma has been shrinking and as i stilll have this huge red ring in it its kind of difficult to cut to fit. Here are a few questions:

1) How do u know if uv cut too small? as in if the hole is too tight around ur stoma? I had a slight leak this morning and decided to change the bag, and when i did, there was like blood around the edges of my stoma where it comes out of my belly. Are ther any signs to know if its too tight? I thought that absolutely no skin was supposed to be visible thru the flange.

2) When i do change the bag the skin directly around the stoma where it comes out of the belly has what my nurse said was the residue from the flange, i try to clean it as much as possible, but it seems as tho i cant get it all off. Is this ok? or will it cause problems?

3) For anyone who has had a catheter, does the holes where the catheter goes thru stay open? will there always b holes in the side of my stoma?

4) Somebody in the crohns forum was swearing by this product called just a drop. I googled it and i was wondering if anyone has tried it in their bag?

5) does removal of the cathetar hurt?

Thanks u guys n e help u can offer would b appreciated

 

Posted 2/20/2008 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
well i don't know anything about the catheter or the red ring. But you do need to make sure you get all the residue off. As for cutting it too small, if you have to like force the hole over the stoma and make it squeeze out, then it is too small. However, it's better to have it a little too small, if it's too big you get itichies and leaks. As for the blood, that's not unusual unless you are like pouring blood, i wouldnt' worry too much about a little bit. Sometimes after i change my bag there is blood in the bottom of my bag. Your stoma bleeds very easily. But unless it's gushing blood, or won't stop, it's probably ok.
Posted 2/20/2008 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
thanx summer,

n e suggestions on how to get this stuff off w/out scrubbing my skin off?
Posted 2/20/2008 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
1. It's completely normal for your stoma to bleed a little around the edges, especially during changes. Up until about 1-2 months ago, the edges would always bleed a little when I would clean around the stoma. It always scared me but my home health nurse told me it was fine. Our stomas bleed at the sight of rain, so it's okay. As long as it's not a substantial, uncontrollable amount, it's normal. Do you have the measuring guide to measure your stoma? I'm not sure about the catheter, so I'm not much help on that. For the first 3-4 months I would measure my stoma with the guide and then cut out that measurement on the flange. Convatec has the 1inch and so on markers on the back of the flange. As far as how it fits, I've always read that the flange should be as close to the stoma as possible, without actually touching it. Sometimes I don't cut enough away and it's pretty snug against the stoma, but within a day the wafer loosens a bit and lets the stoma "breathe" if you will. It's important to get a proper fit though, because leaks will find any loose crevice and B-Line it outta there!

2. This was a major problem for me for a long time. I was scared to death to touch anywhere near the stoma. I was afraid of being too rough, making it bleed, or just having to look at it really. With time I gained confidence, and I'm able to effectively and quickly clean the area well. There are days that I'll change and don't get every last bit of residue off, but I've had no problems. My skin has held up really well, knock on wood.

3. I've never had one and don't know much about them, but hopefully others who do can help you out.

4. Never tried any of those kinds of products. I know many members successfully use different kinds though.

5. No experience but I will say this. After all of the pain, discomfort, and healing you have had to endure. Removal of a catheter will be a piece of cake. Close your eyes, take slow deep breaths, and it will be over before you know it!
Posted 2/20/2008 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
To get the residue off, I take squares of soft paper towels, like Bounty, and soap them up with antibacterial soap. I wipe everything well with those and then wipe with wet paper towels. That always seems to get everything pretty clean.
Posted 2/20/2008 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
1) How do u know if uv cut too small? as in if the hole is too tight around ur stoma? I had a slight leak this morning and decided to change the bag, and when i did, there was like blood around the edges of my stoma where it comes out of my belly. Are ther any signs to know if its too tight? I thought that absolutely no skin was supposed to be visible thru the flange.

Blood is normal....When I cut my wafer I use Adapt paste (a hollister product) which I put around the opening (on the sticky side) of my wafer before applying it to my skin. Adapt paste works like caulk...it fills in the holes and gaps and helps to prevent leaks.

2) When i do change the bag the skin directly around the stoma where it comes out of the belly has what my nurse said was the residue from the flange, i try to clean it as much as possible, but it seems as tho i cant get it all off. Is this ok? or will it cause problems?

When I change my appliance I rip up about 2 sheet of paper towels and seperate them into 3 piles. One is wet, the other wet with soap, and the other dry paper towels. I use these to clean the area. I use Ivory soap. Do Not use soap that has a moisturizer in it because your wafer will not adhere or will shorten wear time.

3) For anyone who has had a catheter, does the holes where the catheter goes thru stay open? will there always b holes in the side of my stoma?

Can't help with that one.

4) Somebody in the crohns forum was swearing by this product called just a drop. I googled it and i was wondering if anyone has tried it in their bag?

I put Tic Tacs in my bag after I dump it...yes Tic Tacs-I use the white ones and everything comes out minty. Or I make sure I have a can of Oust (aerosol) around!


5) does removal of the cathetar hurt?

You have no nerves in your stoma so I don't think it will hurt.

Here's a link to one of the best ostomy books out there:

http://www.ostomy.evansville.net/ostomyhandbook.htm

Email me if you have any questions-my address is in my profile!
Erica
Posted 2/20/2008 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
1) How do u know if uv cut too small? as in if the hole is too tight around ur stoma?

Basically, if your stoma changes from it's normal deep red/pinky hue to a light pink, it means the flange is too tight and it's stopping blood flow to the stoma. At the moment, you should be measuring your stoma every change cos it will continue to shrink for a while yet. It should be snug to the stoma. If there are any gaps underneath, Eakin seals or paste or whatever you choose to use will fill them in so no need to make the hole too tight.

As others have said, blood is nothing to worry about. Your stoma is made up of the same type of skin cells as the inside of your cheek and you know how easily THAT bleeds!  The bleeding should stop pretty quickly. If it doesn't, then you need medical help.

2) When i do change the bag the skin directly around the stoma where it comes out of the belly has what my nurse said was the residue from the flange, i try to clean it as much as possible, but it seems as tho i cant get it all off. Is this ok? or will it cause problems?

As long as there's no poop left, leftover residue won't hurt at all. Some people even find it helps the next flange stick better (but everyone's different). It's the poop you really have to worry about cos that will irritate the skin.

3) For anyone who has had a catheter, does the holes where the catheter goes thru stay open? will there always b holes in the side of my stoma?

Do you mean the little rod under the stoma (presuming you have a loop ileostomy)? it's not really through the stoma as such, but underneath the loop to prevent it from falling back into your abdominal cavity. The space will close up.

4) Somebody in the crohns forum was swearing by this product called just a drop. I googled it and i was wondering if anyone has tried it in their bag?

I've never heard of this. 3% hydrogen peroxide works well. Your stoma nurse will probably have a fit but they have to do everything by the book. HP has worked well for thousands of ostomates over the years and you will probably find it works well for you too. Just a few drops in the tail end of your bag when you empty and next time you empty, there is no odour.


5) does removal of the cathetar hurt?

Others I've spoken to who have had a rod, have never mentioned that it hurts which, for me at least, indicates that it doesn't :)

Posted 2/20/2008 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
u guys are so awesome...thanx 4 the help

ash, thats exactly how i feel when changing
erica i use the different piles of papertowels when i change bags...its just that it usually takes me like a half hour to change (is that long?) and my stoma always decides to start working when im changing. No matter when i change! I've tried doing it when i first wake up b4 i eat, and waiting hours after eating...so i try my best to rush and get the next bag on

shaz, yes i have a loop ileostomy. and for whatever reason my doc chose not to use a rod but a huge red ring thats about two to three i(closer to three) inches in diameter. It makes it very hard to measure my stoma, bc my stoma already isn't completly round, the ring makes things harder.
my stoma changes colors often, it goes from that light pink to dark red, it moves alot too. I never thought to take notice as to when these color changes happen.

Are we allowed to order our own supplies? My home care nurse ordered some, but i think i ordered the wrong kind and I wanted to try something different. I was wondering what happens when they stop coming to the house ( i only have 2 visits left). Then who gets my supplies? I forgot to ask for things like adhesive remover and skin protectant.

I use peroxide and tic tacs believe it or not, and together they work ok, its just that i run thru them sooooooo quickly, it feels like i have to use alot to get rid of the smell. 5 tic tacs and a huge squirt of peroxide....i just can't take the smell.
Posted 2/20/2008 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
I order my supplies myself. I was nervous about it after my nurse stopped coming, but with time you'll get more confident in the supplies and knowing what exactly you're looking for. If you ever have any questions, just call the companies and ask them. Tell them your concerns, what you're looking for, and they'll guide you in the right direction. Samples are awesome because you can try out a new appliance before having to pay for a whole pack of them.


I would have your home health nurse write out all of your information. The number of the company you order from, what stock # your bag/flanges are, and any other product information that you use. This is what my nurse did and it helped tremendously.
Posted 2/20/2008 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Praying,

Ditto to what has been said! I am so impressed with how well you are doing. You ask wonderful questions.
Posted 2/20/2008 9:27 PM (GMT 0)

Hi there!

My ET nurse always said that your flange should be 1/8 of an inch bigger than your stoma. So, if you want a quantifiable number, you could go by that. 1/8 of an inch is very small. ;)

You seem to be doing great!

Posted 2/21/2008 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Praying4healing:
I had a big red ring after surgery also. It stuck way out and the nurses had trouble changing my bag. The day before I came home, the doctor took out the ring and slid a plastic bar in there which stayed for 10 days. Neither one hurt when they were removed. My home nurse ordered my supplies the first time. When they came by UPS, there was a catalog and invoice there so I knew what was ordered. I just called the company the next month and they had everything on record.
Posted 2/21/2008 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
thanks u guys...went to the doc and got the cathetar taken out. He said my bum is already looking better...i hope he wasnt just saying that bc he knew how much i despised the idea of this. the et nurse comes tomorrow. Our last experience together wasnt so great. hopefully tomorrow will b better and she'll b able to assist me w/some supplies.
Posted 2/21/2008 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi!

Regarding changing your appliance, practice makes perfect. At first it took me 20 minutes to change my appliance now I can do it in like 5 minutes. I do change mine in the morning but first I wake up, walk the dogs, shower, and then change it. Then I eat. For me I felt like when I first get up my bowels started to move and it would push out what was lingering in my intestine. So by getting up, moving around for about 15-20 minutes seems to empty every thing out. But then again everyone is different.

Have you called hollister to get samples? I called my insurance company regarding ordering supplies because they have preferred vendors.

Erica
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