Eakin seals

I am having a tough time with these rings too. I don't know what I am doing wrong. I put them on, then three days later I am itching and have some excoriation around my stoma because stool starts to eat away at the Eakin under the wafer. Any advice on this would be much appreciated!

The one thing I have found with those is if one works great for you, the other one probably won't work as well:(

I use Eakin exclusively, but that was after many attempts to use the Adapt Ring, which failed similar to Brian's issue with the Eakin.

I wouldn't really bother with them if you are having success with the Adapt Ring...at least you can say you tried it!

Well, I tried using the 3M skin prep (hypoallergenic, alcohol free) over the powder ring I squirt around my stoma. I made a crust out of it. Today I changed everything, and although the excoriation was gone, a terrible itchy rash was in its place. I guess I am allergic to all skin preps; this one didn't have alcohol in it, so I don't get it. I am sure I will find a good regimen that gives me more wear time. Maybe I'll switch to the convex with Eakin and see what happens. I didn't think I needed it because my stoma sticks out enough, but I still haven't gained all the weight back and there isn't much padding to work with there.

It really seems like everyone's skin is so different and what is "skin friendly" for one isn't necessarily so for the other. Of course when there are issues you want advice so you can try and see if the combination for someone else perhaps is what you need. Once you find the right combination and if you are getting 4-5 days wear time as mentioned and your skin is doing well, no leaks etc. then that is what you should stick with is good advice.

I know some people want to or need to for whatever reason to get 7-10 days wear time but that is not probably the norm for most is my guess.

So if you are in the 4-5 day changing period I wouldn't be overly concerned. Some people would LOVE to get 4-5 days as you can see from some of the trials and tribulations some go through. I always hope that whatever those people's problems arethat they find a solution quickly as I am sure it is very difficult for them.

Brain were you putting the eakin on top of the adapt ring? That would raise things up way too high and in time would raise the wafer right up. hence the leak.

Also if you use the eakin, even the eakin thin, before you take the paper off, press it between your palms and flatten it a bit more. Some of these are just too thick and they rise the wafer right up.

Rosemary

I do pretty much the same as NASCARon as far as the way I apply the Eakin Seal, and using Convatec Convex Moldable with Sure Seals. I get 7-10 days wear. I have used both Smith & Nephew Prep and Cavilon Barrier Spray [Nexcare Liquid Bandage is cheaper] with good results.

Heat & pressure have really helped up my wear time. I use my hairdryer on both my Eakin & wafer to warm them right before placing them. I then alternate heat & pressure over all for 3 mins or so once they are on before putting on the Sure Seal.

There is one other thing I do during my pressure step to help solidly set the Eakin & wafer. There is a product you can purchase for quite a bit of money, but there are alternatives to the concept. It is the Equalizer by Stomaplex--nothing more than a piece of rubber tubing. You can see how it works and there are a couple of videos within this first link below. I went to Lowe's and bought a foot of rubber tubing and my son cut me off a 2-inch piece--works perfectly. The other 2 links are products I found in the PVC plumbing department at Home Depot for around $2 each. They can be purchased in different sizes depending on stoma size and flange size. All the same concept of even and steady pressure on the wafer around the stoma where it may be hard to get fingers into. Even the correctly sized top of an empty bottle would work.

Can one of you give me a step by step instructions, I need to hear like a fifth grader! Sorry still new to this...Thanks, Renee

Yes, thanks Ron !!!  Ron's directions are the ones I printed out early on in my quest to get past my 2hrs to 2 days of wear.   I now use most of the same products or similar brands, with the exception of the belt--and I don't shave.

In addition to Ron's excellent directions, I am also very "anal" about the heat & pressure step I mentioned above.  I switched to a whole Eakin, Convatec Convex Moldable, Sure Seals and my heat & pressure routine all at the same time and something finally clicked and helped save my sanity.

Belated thanks again, Ron   

I have noticed this! I thought it was my imagination, but they definitely seem more sticky and soft. The color seems a little different too. I noticed the change in the rings when the packaging text went from blue to purple. I feel like the older ones eroded less quickly, but the new ones still seem to work pretty well.

I told ConvaTec about this and all they said was I was wrong. They sent me "replacement" boxes and told me to send the other ones back. I did but the "replacement" ones were the same. The ostomy nurse said they are different, too. The difference came about when they changed the package. The side of the other boxes had dates as week/year format (48/2010). The new ones are in year/month format (2012/07). ConvaTec said they would have their engineers call me. No one has called. Eakin said ConvaTec is supposed to forward the returned products and concerns to them but they have not heard of any complaints from anyone. In the meantime, my mother's skin is being eaten away. (I am her caregiver.) We have tried other rings that did not work. Now Eakin doesn't work.

What is the date on the side of the Eakin box?

I'll take them.