Bag and fit issues - suggestions?

Hello all,

I am 4 weeks post surgery (total colectomy with diverting loop ileostomy), and within this last week have had major bag issues. I was using a very basic bag (clip, large bag, with tape on the back, etc), and was having to change it almost every day. It was leaking through the wafer and seal, burning my skin. It was so unbearable and painful.

I made an appointment with my Ostomy nurse yesterday, and she said that the bag was not right for me because my stoma is fairly flat to the skin. She fitted me with a different appliance that "pushes" the stoma up, which should help with stool not leaking through (not entirely sure how). Because of the initial bag not being good for me, the skin around my stoma is raw. I have a light to dark pink circle around my entire stoma and the nurse said that it should be skin color, not pink. It has always had a ring around it that was pinkish. Now, with this new one, it has been a little painful (as always), burning a little, but I've assumed it's because I have the appliance stuck on raw skin, so as I move and the appliance moves, it pulls and further irritates the skin (she put powder and another no sting skin barrier treatment on it).

Tonight, however, the burning (off and on) has become a little more intense, but not quite as intense as it was with the other one. I'm not sure if I'm making any sense here... Is it normal 4 weeks out for there to still be some burning, pain with the bag on (even empty with nothing in it), etc? I don't want to waste the nurses' time if it's to be expected. I'm just frustrated because while I know I'm still recovering, pain from my stoma and bag cause the majority of my issues. My stool lately has been a fairly thick consistency as well. Thick to the point that it almost gets stuck on top of my stoma and I have to push it down into the bag. This also irritates it, and I wonder when I'm pushing it down if I'm accidentally pushing it underneath the wafer and seal.

My apologies for the long post - but any advice is most welcomed! I really want this to heal and not rub/pull/hurt anymore. I'm thinking I should just call the nurse again tomorrow, but don't want to be a pest...

Thank you!!

I'm sorry you are miserable, I think we've all been there. I have to use a convex system too, otherwise I can't keep a good seal. I also swear by the Eakin seals, they are a lifesaver for me. Hollister makes a seal too. You'll be surprised how quickly your skin can heal once you have a good seal and are not getting leaks but it can be painful in the meantime. I would not feel bad checking in with your wound care nurse for continued help, that's what she's there for. I think it's just trial and error for everyone to find out what works best for them. For me, I get the best results with no powder, barrier film or anything other than the Eakin seal and my pouch. Good luck and hang in there, it gets better:)

Hi
I'm 6 weeks post op and have an ilyostomy. I also just starred getting the painful burning. After changing my bag I saw that my skin around my stoma is very irritated. Is not using the barrier seal ok? Can that be whats irritating my skin? I know it's trial and error but ouch!!:)
L

Thanks for the replies! I ended up calling the nurse today and went in to see her. She changed my appliance to a pre-cut convatec convex one with a "bump" to help push it out even more. Instead of the eaken seal (which is what I was using before), she told me to use paste. Prior to putting it on, she put some powder around the stoma where the skin is irritated. Wow, paste really stung!! I'm guessing from the alcohol. After it settled, it started stinging again - even with no output. She said that it shouldn't sting and wasn't sure what to tell me because she said once the paste settles, it shouldn't sting or burn at all... well...I'm home now, have had it one for about 4 hours, and it's still stinging around the stoma! Since she said that it shouldn't and didn't know what to do about it, I'm not really sure what to do. I may try that convex adapter or the Compound of Benzoin Tincture. In the meantime...this so uncomfortable..

Sorry - one more thing - I know you're not supposed to have any feeling in the stoma, but when something is coming out, I can feel it...it also kind of burns a bit. Is this normal?

Thank you all!!