To those of you using Coloplast Sensura bags with filters

totally agree.. filters are gross and pointless for ileostomates. I love everything about the bag apart from that. Do you know of a brand that doesn't have filters?

     Another UC wife....what does the white sticker do?

Those little white stickers are for covering the filter on the pouch that come with each box of wafers. They stay on even when showering, swimming etc. As I said he applies it immediately when he opens a box and gets them ready for use.

Hubby just doesn't even bother using the filter for the limited time it actually works. He doesn't drink carbonated drinks or beer and doesn't really eat gassy foods so he doesn't have his pouch fill up with air often. He empties often (every 3+ hrs or so I'm guessing) because he pees a lot due to keeping up being hydrated....since he's in the bathroom he empties...so I suppose if there is a little air in there it isn't getting built up. When he wakes in the morning at times it is like a balloon if he hasn't gotten up during the night. Fortunately it has not been so bad that it has broken the seal and come off his skin due to too much air therein.

I hope I don't sound silly but I've had my ostomy since I was eight yes old and now I'm 45 I could never imagine using a bad with no filter and have never used the stickers.the filter lets the air out but also helps odoa control.I mean at work I can't let that air build up like that and possibly burst but even worse can't have it being smelly either.I love reading everyone's tips on here I just joined so hope to read plot of helpful things.
Annie

The filters are useless for me too. Even when I am not lying down, my fairly-liquid ileostomy output wicks up towards the top of the pouch within a few hours of putting a new one on and clogs the filter. I have also had a few filters leak. My first choice is to buy pouches without filters. The Convatec model I use does offer this option. When I have gotten pouches with filters, I too end up putting stickers or tape over them so that in the event that they leak, no output stains my clothes.

My favorite thing is to use filter-less pouches and then attach an Osto EZ Vent. These were especially handy when I was using one-piece pouches because my only option for letting out gas with those in a filter-less version was to unroll the tail. That was too risky! Even with a two-piece I am not a fan of opening the Tupperware-like ring to let air out for fear that output might pour out. opening the EZ Vents to let gas out is easy... you just open a little flap and since it sits at the top of your pouch, output is less likely to sneak out with the air. I have been using the EZ vents for two years now and have only had one open accidentally once when it got caught on my belt and popped open. Even at night when my pouch fills up with air and is a tight balloon in the morning, the vent stays shut and doesn't pop open.

Of course, the air that comes out is stinky, so unless I am outdoors, I do release the air in the bathroom. M9 drops also help reduce the smelliness of the air that comes out.

Putting the vents on is easy. Usually I will do a bunch of pouches ahead of time so I don't have think about it every week.

I learned of the sticks on their website. It also help from water getting inside due to soaking in the tube. The bag I get do not come without a filter

I have had an ileostomy for more that 20 years after 7 surgeries been living pain free. I have been using the SenSura filtered pouch for about a month and love them. I started having allergic reactions to the Hollister flexible wafer adhesive so had to find something different. I tried the Osto EZ Vent but had many accidents when I opened them to vent when needed in the car on long trips. Not a smart move on my part! I was thinking perhaps keeping the filtered SenSura and attaching the Osto EZ Vent to the filter area and opening the vent hole directly over the filter. Perhaps getting the best of both. Easy venting option while filtering the air? Will give it a try over the weekend and let all know how it turns out!

Convatec has come out with a new pouch, with much better filter placement, channels in the pouch to keep the pooh away from the filter, and something else I can't remember...LOL!

I am presently using Hollister bags with filters, and wouldn't have it any other way...enough "shi@" to worry about without having to burp the bag..lol!

I will be trying to new convatect filter/moldable wafer within the next week or so.