Leaks, leaks, LEAKS!!!

Okay, I know this topic has probably been done to death, but I'm posting here anyway because I flipped back a few pages and haven't really seen a recent post that deals with my issue.

I'm about 5 months into my ileostomy. For about the first two months (while I was recuperating from surgery and near-emaciating prolonged illness, and before I got back to work and into more regular activity routines), my changes went fine. I would have a "bum" appliance about once every 3-4 changes, but that was really only about 2 times. Then, for about the past 3 months, it's like a happy accident when an appliance actually lasts more than about 2 days. This past weekend, I had to do a semi-urgent change in the evening before I went to bed (I hate doing it then, but better than waking up in the night covered in, well, you know). Then, at about 2:30am, I woke up in the night covered in well, you know. So I got up to do a for-real-emergency change, went back to bed. Woke up at 10am to discover it had leaked AGAIN. I mean, ***. Enough is enough, right???

I have been using Hollister 2-piece with Eakin seals. I had found that the only way to make it even slightly assured of sticking was to use powder and spray, although I was told not to make that a regular part of my routine. And then even that has failed me.

I have gotten a couple of samples from Coloplast, and the first one I used was AWESOME. It stuck like a nuclear war wouldn't have dislodged it (although the little paper tab at the top of the "base plate" rubbed my poor skin raw). After my weekend of Hollister Hell, I used my second and final Coloplast sample. And I was totally confident in it... but even as I write this I fear it will be toast by morning. I chose not to use an adhesive wipe, which I had used with my first Coloplast one, because my skin was pretty sore after nearly 24 hours of constant seepage and I thought I'd try and do without.

My stoma is in pretty good shape, and except for bouts of rashiness, my skin around it is in reasonably good shape too. My belly is not as flat as it was when I first had my surgery, but I don't have any folds of skin there, where the stoma is. The stoma sticks out nicely, maybe just under a centimetre above my abdomen.

I'm about to reorder supplies (urgently, since I have suddenly depleted what I thought was a good 2 weeks' worth), and I wonder if anyone has any suggestions. I don't know the difference between convex and non-convex, but I don't believe I have tried convex. Is that something I should try? Would it help? Does anyone know?

I would be very grateful for any suggestions anyone has. I know I should be aware of my stoma all the time, but the level of attention I've had to give it lately has created anxiety beyond reasonableness. Thanks so much!

I would also recommend the convex light. Just under one centimeter of stoma above abdomen isn't really very much, and it tends to retract back and forth during activities. This may be why you're having these aggrivating leaks.
I used convexlight (coloplast) with eaken rings - it was a system that worked reliably for me for 12 months, with both an end and a loop stoma.

Try it without the Eakin seals. I had nothing but trouble with those. Try it without any seals at all. I used various seals over a 6 month period. At first it seemed to work. But then it didn't anymore. A leak a day. I went back to no seals and haven't had a leak in 6 months. For some the seals work great. For other they don't work very well. I use a cut to fit Hollister.

Thanks all, for the suggestions. After I posted that last night I found an ostomy supplier near my work that seems like it might be able to answer some more of my questions too, and fill my order quickly. I'll definitely ask about some of the things you've mentioned.

It might be the seals and not Hollister. I got leaks with a Hollister and seals. I get no leaks with a Hollister and no seals. I get much better adhesion without the seals.

Coloplast, and the first one I used was AWESOME. It stuck like a nuclear war wouldn't have dislodged it (although the little paper tab at the top of the "base plate" rubbed my poor skin raw).

I want to comment on this.... CUT it off, that is what I do because I have the same issue! Hope that helps with that

Jill

Just a quick comment on seals, I use Hollister Adapt Barrier Rings, and they could plug a hole in a Submarine! I wear a convex bag, and do spend 5-10 mins running my finger around the convexity to heat and spread the seal once the bag is on and over it. They were a complete revelation when I started using them. The only few times I've had minor leaks since, is when the bag itself failed, never because my output got through the seal.

i feel ur pain w the leaks. a cpl weeks back tried eakin seals the 1st time. 1st one held like cement and lasted nearly a full week and felt comfortable on the skin. the others in the same pack did not feel near as sticky nor even last a few days.they are still more comfortable feeling on the skin but the way my loop odd shaped flush to the skin growing and shrinking stoma is constantly bleeding and secreting ooze its so hard nigh impossible to get anything to stick. Nothing can stop blood and intestine ooze and poop. i tried barrier rings and strips too,stoma paste as well. my juices,blood and secretions cut through it all like warm butter.so sad. i wish u luck.

What finally worked for me, was a convex moldable wafer. Moldable took the quess work out of cutting and it hugs the stoma. I needed convexity. For the next 4 months, I was doing fine, changing every week, only using the adhesive barrier wipes, stomahesive paste and the wafer. After some weight gain, the paste wasn't working. Used Eakins. I didn't see the difference between their slims and regular. But this still wasn't getting me to where I was before. Ultimately the belt did. Some great tips include the hair dryer, sometimes less is more tactic, pressure on the wafer ring for sometime before you put on your bag (this is why I love the 2 piece), filling in the dips next to my stoma with a little of paste before the eakin. I used to use the sureseals. I do swear by them. It doesn't cause the wafer adhesive to allow for air when separating from the skin-which causes the eakin and wafer to dry out thus leakage will occur, and it also contains the leaks. Instead, I turned my wafer as a diamond, I think my issue was the dips horizontally alongside my stoma. Remembering that it takes time to set and being mindful of activities. For example, I can't drive a car for several hours, don't know if it's the seatbelt or the position of my stoma when sitting. Also, not before bed because I move too much. Soon you will find something that will work! And when you do, use the moto don't fix it if it isn't broke!

Tom1
Do you use Friar's?

Dan

Tom
I have two unopened 50ml bottles. I should be good for a long time. Really nice to hear that my ranting and raving about "Friar's Balsam Compound Benzoin Tincture" made by Rogier is helping someone besides me!

dan

I have a hoarded stock of Friars too!!!! Still the only thing I use! Can't even picture how one would put a eakin thing on....

It's true, less is way better and easier too!

Wriksli
Rogier's T of B is waterproof. If you put in your arm or your vanity you can only get it off with alcohol. I have tried T of B by another manufacturer (not waterproof) and it did not work.

Chronie
I know nothing about your powder. It will be interesting to see if you find any difference between the "bottle" and the"swab".

Dan