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Sprung a leak

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Posted 3/18/2009 12:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all

Today was my first day changing my bag without any supervision at all and just when I thought i had done a great job by later this afternoon I Sprung a leak. Thankfully I was at home but I dont understand what I did wrong for that to happen. It appeared that it wasnt sealed properly up the top of the bag then proceeded to come loose all the way around the stoma. I did earlier feel after I had eaten that the food was digesting through the stoma but there wasnt anything much in the bag just built up around the seal up top. Any suggestions on how I may be able to avoid this in the future would be greatfully appreciated, I do use the single colorplast bag with an adapt seal, which they told me would help prevent leaks, perhaps I didnt put that on right. Who knows lol, I only hope it doesnt happen when Im out somewhere as today I got the shakes real bad when I Sprung the leak. Its all so new and I am still scared. Thanks all

take care

Posted 3/18/2009 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Well its totally normal to have a few user errors right at first!
I use a different system than you do, but its all basically the same.
Try putting a little heat on the seal, i use a hair dryer, but some people just use their hands.
I think i get a better seal if i am laying down when i put the stuff on.
It may have been also that the area wasn't complety dry when you put the bag on.
Hopefully it wont happen again!
But if is does, just post us your routine and we can see what might be the problem!
Posted 3/18/2009 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
do you still cut the opening to your stoma's current size? That could be one area to look at...

Sometimes with one pieces, it is hard to see if the pouch/wafer is centered. It could be that you were off a little and waste was able to get under it.

do you keep your hand over the appliance for 30 seconds or so, or use a hair dryer to warm up the sticky stuff? Sometimes that does wonders...and lastly, are you using a skin prep? I think Coloplast is one of the brands that doesn't suggest the use of it.
Posted 3/18/2009 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for ur input. I do hold my hand over the appliance for about 30 seconds, and i also cut the opening. My stoma nurse told me it was the correct size and not to make it any smaller. Perhaps I didnt have it dried properly or centred. I do use the adhesive adapt seal which is like an O ring that the bag sits over.
thanks so much for your fast answers its greatly appreciated
Posted 3/19/2009 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Whatever you may have done wrong I'm sure it was just a rookie mistake. I know I made a lot of them in the beginning, and I had a lot of leaks for a variety of reasons. But, for what it's worth, except for the occasional leak that was clearly my own fault(wearing an appliance longer than I should have), I haven't had a leak in about 19 years! Just, shake it off(well not really.....that could be messy!), figure out what you might have done wrong, and don't let it bother you. Just like anything you've done for the first time, chances are you probably weren't an expert at it right from the start. But, congratulations on changes your appliance yourself!!! I remember how traumatic it was for me when I first did a solo appliance change. And, BTW, I leaked the same day too. You'll be fine!!!
Posted 3/19/2009 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
when did you last see your stoma nurse? i cant remeber how long ago you had your surgery, but in the first few months your stoma changes size alot, so its possible that it could have changed since the last time you saw your nurse.
Posted 3/19/2009 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
hey I only had surgery 2 weeks ago and was only discharged from hosptial 2 days ago. So Im guessing the size should still be ok? Thanks for your kind words too vette guy.
take care all
Posted 5/2/2009 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
its a learning curve. its our initiation to the CLUB. we all go thru this. im sure youve got by now but as time goes on we become experts. you just have to see whats best for you. standing, lying down. main thing is making sure youre good and clean for next bag. i went thru the same thing. come to find out eakin seals and convexity wafers a warm hand and putting pressure from center out to wafer. do you know where the stoma is actually functioning from? mine is at the 4 oclock position. youve probably figured it by now but i had to chime in. hope all is well maybe talk to you sometime.
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