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Keeping track of supplies and when to change

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Posted 4/23/2013 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

how do you guys and gals keep track of the supplies you get? Also, when you change and how long before your next change?

I currently have a spreadsheet which has all of my data :)
Any other methods?
Posted 4/23/2013 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Wow UCFree!! My method is...keep the bag/wafer boxes in a big box and have a supply of about three sets (and application supplies) in a make-up storage container. When that container becomes empty, get more replacements from my stash. Visually check my stash. When I get around five sets, I order more.

I'm supposed to change every Wed/Sun (or some combination of 3 day then 4 day), however I sometimes go four and four. I've gone six days but it felt awful.

For most of my ostomy time so far, I had some very complicated changing routines with hard to measure supplies (changing sizes of Aquacell, this barrier I forget the name of at the moment, and I forget what else). I also changed setups four times in the first five weeks. So it was really difficult to track levels in a systematic way.

I should also note that I have a giant box of unused supplies that I'm hanging onto (different types of bags, etc.) just in case I need to go back to my special sets for pyoderma comfort. So I'm not too stressed about running out if I order too late. Plus, I typically get my supplies within two days of ordering.
Posted 4/23/2013 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
HA!! I wanted to make a spreadsheet for inventory but my parents told me I was crazy. I get supplies for 20 appliance changes per month but I typically only do about 8, so at this point I've built up a huge buffer/stockpile and never really have to worry about running out. I keep all of my excess supplies in their original boxes in a plastic crate, and I keep about 10 pre-assembled "change packs" on hand (a sandwich sized Ziploc bag with everything I need for one appliance change, so I can just grab it and go, particularly if I know I'll be away from my apartment on change day). I also have change packs stashed at my office and my parents' house, and of course carry the essentials in my purse in case of emergency (never needed it yet, knock wood).

For about two months post-op I kept a daily log of everything I ate, when I took my meds and what I took, any pains or weird feelings, how much I was outputting and the consistency, and all of my appliance changes with notes on how I did things. For example, something like "2/5/13: Appliance change; Ate 5 marshmallows; Hollister two piece, cut to 1 1/2" x 1 1/4", used prep wipe and Eakin seal". This way if an appliance ever failed me or didn't feel right or anything like that, I could look back at my notes and see what I did. Nowadays I do everything the same each time so I don't need to write it down.

I go 3 or 4 days between changes and just keep it in my head. If I know it'll be especially convenient or inconvenient a certain day in the future I try to plan things around that. For example, I know I don't want to do a change on Friday or Saturday, so this week I'm planning to change on Thursday and Sunday. I know a lot of people have really set routines (like, every Monday and Thursday no matter what) but I do my changes in the afternoon after work so I need more flexibility.
Posted 4/23/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I had a chart thing that I was using, but I was too lazy to keep up with it! :) now I just usually change on Thursday nights and look at how many I have when I get my stuff together. If we are going on a trip and leaving on Thursday, I will change on Wednesday or if I'm going to be gone on a Thursday, I try to make it where I won't have to change away from home.
Posted 4/23/2013 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have a set of 4 draws which I keep my supplies in so I can see when its getting low then put an order in for more. My orders only take two days to deliver too I change my bag every 2 days x wink
Posted 4/23/2013 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
My supplier has me in its system and I get an email/call as a reminder to reorder on a monthly basis. When I made my original order, they asked me how many supplies I wanted to order and they suggested 3 boxes of everything which is more than I need so I have a stock pile like others have mentioned. It's been nice because I use a 2 piece system and can change my bag everyday and have more than enough wafers. Make sure you are getting the maxim supplies allowable through your insurance. My last order they asked me if I wanted to get a 3 month order shipped in advance but I declined since I'm having my reversal next week.

Post Edited (Mossmi33) : 4/23/2013 3:21:20 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/24/2013 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not that organised. I change when I feel as though I should, usually approx every 5 - 6 days, sometimes sooner, sometimes later and order when I'm down to about 5 wafers left. Has worked for me for 36 years :)
Posted 4/24/2013 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
My supplier has me in it's system, calls me every 4/5 weeks. I change every 6/7/8 days. So I order when I'm down to 5. Don't like stocking up because then I'd have to keep track by writing on the box the date received because it can expire and cause a bad seal.

2 years ago when I received my ostomy, my insurance was only providing me 3 eakin seals/month, 10 wafers and 20 bags. Several months later 20 eakin seals. Beginning of this year, the wafers increased to 20. Haven't ordered since end of January.

This is off topic, kind of wrong, but if the end result is to assist others......thinking of ordering monthly and donating to nursing homes. This stuff is so expensive and there's so many people that can't afford it.
Posted 4/24/2013 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Three Eakins per month?!?! That's crazy!! I get 20 :-D

I justify ordering the max because my stoma is pretty new (and my next one is going to be REALLY new) so even though I feel like I only need 9 or 10 per month, things can change quickly. I'm hoping after my last reversal I will be able to donate all my stockpiled supplies to someone in need.
Posted 4/25/2013 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
liz and ucfree- a spreadsheet.. tracking everything. I think you two might have too much time on your hands! Seriously... why bother. To me it would be like you tracking the number of toilet paper rolls you use to figure out when to go to the store to get more.

I don't track any of that junk. I just change the thing about every 4 days, unless I feel a twinge or itch, then change sooner. Or if I'm going somewhere say like on day 3- like to the hospital and I don't want to change there - then I change earlier.

As for supplies, I eyeball the supply stash in the closet every now and then. And order if it seems to low. I use edgepark and I don't have to order a full month's supply at a time. I just order what I need. And eyeball that I have about a month's worthh of stuff in my closet inventory.. just in case something might be backordered next time or in case of some natural disaster.

Seriously... I think the less you do around the ostomy stuff - the more it becomes part of your life - and the easier it is to accept and deal with.
Posted 4/25/2013 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
I did have too much time on my hands, I was recovering from surgery! wink With pred induced insomnia, so I wasn't sleeping either...
Posted 4/25/2013 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks all for the great information. Just so you know I wanted to get a general idea of how I can possibly help people and I believe I have the right target!
More to come :)
Posted 4/25/2013 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
we write the date on the outside of the box and rotate accordingly

we have a support group and a WOCN nurse who attends & works at a clinic where excess supplies are welcome for those who have no insurance or large out of pocket expenses
Posted 4/25/2013 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I buy when I'm down to 10 wafers and 10 bags. I'm in Canada where we have a grand medical system yet even my supplemental insurance doesnt cover the cost of ostomy supplies. I do get a $600 annual grant however from the provincial government but that isn't enough so I buy everything from ebay from people in the US. I had always assumed it was leftover stock post pouch surgery but perhaps it's overstock from what insurance provides? At any rate, I'm very grateful because otherwise, it would be extremely costly for me.
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