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vertical vs. horizontal?

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Posted 4/27/2011 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
All:

In looking for some stoma "armor.:(this isn't about another subject you may be thinking... turn   turn Or, at least support for the wafer and pouch, i've orderd some clothes which I think will be great.  Also, I've looked at some belts ....one which looks cool requires the pouch to be worn horizontally.....

What does this do to the draining routing if the pouch is worn horizontally?  The guy who invented this particular belt stated that horizontal draining isn't that much different from vertical except you have to stand in front of the toilet...

any ideas/suggestions/real life examples?

Thanks,

enigma

 

Posted 4/27/2011 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Must admit I think I am still confused as to how you can empty a bag properly if it is horizontal especially if output is not very thick. Only way I can see is to adopt a position as if playing a game of twister, not something I would want to try in public bathrooms, at 6'3 think I may struggle getting arms and legs inside cubicle whilst adopting a strange position.
Posted 4/27/2011 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Horizontal? Never heard of such a thing. What's the point?

Dan
Posted 4/27/2011 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Stripey

Hubby has been using the handicapped rest rooms if and when available now.  It doesn't take him too too long to empty but the extra space and having soap and a sink available just makes the process so much simpler.  He felt a bit funny at first doing this but I'm glad that he does especially since it really does help ease with the confinement aspect like you said plus if there is a little problem you can take care of your hygeine a lot easier.

Posted 4/27/2011 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
I have used the disabled bathrooms as they are usually empty and no queue so have used them when I have needed to. I agree that having the sink and soap in same room is much better than normal public toliets and like you say if any problems makes it much easier. Just wished they made airplane toilets bigger, just so I could actually empty my bag without having to contort myself to fit my legs in, the days of being able to bend myself like a gymnast are long gone :)
Posted 4/27/2011 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Oh yeah....haven't been on a plane and it will be awhile before we need to...I'm sure he will go to the men's room as close to boarding time as possible to try to not need it on the plane but we all know that is easier said than done.
Posted 4/27/2011 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Still no one has answered the original question...how DO you empty a horizontal pouch??? I've always wondered that too and won't buy one of those wraps until I understand. It seems like something designed by a person without an ostomy and seems to have a HUGE design flaw.

Does ANYONE use these and empty with it sideways???

Posted 4/28/2011 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
I've been using a horizontal pouch for the last month.

I prefer it as my belt line cuts the middle of my stoma bag. With the horizontal position I can wear all my normal clothes and suits and haven't had an issue with clothes yet. Also is good for exercise as some belts provide a bit of support on the bag. [I use the stealth belt atm]

Only issues with horizontal -

1) Sleeping with it horizontal can be uncomfortable - as you turn it right - sleeping on the right side means when it fills you're sleeping directly on the bag - which is scary although no leakages yet

2) Emptying it - it is actually only a bit harder than you think. You just let the bag hang down - you loose maybe an inch of drop. I do find it a bit harder when my output is thick because I have to push it sideways at the top and then down. When it is thin it's really easy as it just flows out.

3) Having to wear a belt. I don't like having to wear a belt when I'm relaxing at home. You can get away with tucking it into your undies / pants - but this only works when it is near empty.

Still - even with these issues - given wearing it sideways allows me to do activities I wasn't able to do before and wear clothes I wasn't able to when it was vertical - I'm all for horizontal!


The coloplast sensura click 2pc system allows you to rotate the bag from vertical to horizontal - so i'm sampling those as the moment. It's a bit still compared to my previous but it means I can switch it to horizontal to sleep and when at home. Still scares me to rotate it when emptying as the weight of the bag can pull it off.




d
Posted 4/28/2011 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
I switch it up & wear mine both ways. I empty horizontally when my bag is 1/3 full. What I do is kind of get the output all to the bottom, pinch it off, and stand to the side of the toilet and let it out. This sounds really tedious, but you get used to it quick. I've ordered one of the horizontal belts(The stealth belt) which is supposed to come in tomorrow. It's supposed to hold the flange inside the bag, so you could theoretically pop the bag off and empty it real quick and not worry about the stoma freaking out. The belt is really durable and wipes clean & dries quickly.

I looked at those ostomy armor belts. But I went with the stealth belt because I use Hollister stuff. Also the armor looks like it'd bulge with tighter clothing so I wasn't sure. My WOCN highly recommended the one that I ordered.
Posted 4/28/2011 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
I wear mine angled towards my groin area. That way I can empty between my legs and my bag all fits neatly in my underwear across my tummy giving it extra support. I've always hated the feel of my bag hanging down one leg.

Also, as I fill up, I don't look lopsided :)
Posted 4/28/2011 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
smackie, item 3 on your list about tucking it into undies only working when near empty. I tuck the end of bag into top of undies and let rest of bag hang down, sort of like 'u' shape, if you see what I mean. This takes total weight off of stomach and means bag not hanging down my leg and it works even when it is filling. To empty I use same method as shaz, think with my height if I had to empty standing up by time it hit the water could make a mess even if I put tp down first. Tried it a few times when I first had stoma, never again.
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