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Question for Polishdan & Larasmom re Friars/BCT

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Posted 12/17/2014 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all. I have a temp loop ileostomy after Step 1 of J-Pouch procedure in Oct. I have been dealing with skin issues for the last 4-6 weeks. Went back to the WOCN who had me using stoma powder (crusting it) and a
Brava strip which helped some. However the last week or so that has stopped working (probably because I have a hard time getting the stoma to stop producing during bag changes!). Decided to try the BCT after reading so much about it. Got it at a local speciality pharmacy and tried on my hand like suggested to make sure it was sticky and waterproof (it is made by Humco). Slathered it all over the entire area yesterday doing my bag change (stung like all get out!) and then put the new wafer on (Convatec 2-piece Natura). Felt pretty good yesterday but the burning started coming back last night. This morning it feels OK but not great.

My main question is, how long does it take to work as far as healing the bad skin? A week/10 days/2 weeks? And how often would you suggest bag changes in the meantime? Also, I did not use the barrier ring this time...would you suggest continuing to use that (either the Brava or an Eakin seal)? Really don't want to head the hour back up to the hospital to see the WOCN again as I'm pretty sure she'll do the same powder thing.

Any suggestions or advice (from anyone who has used BCT) would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance!

Vicki
Posted 12/17/2014 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
I'll be the "anyone who has used BCT". Hopefully, Dan and Larasmom will be along to add their thoughts.

BCT helps me within just a few days. I know there have been times when I have had some irritation and it was gone with the next pouch change...completely. I normally get a weeks wear, so very quickly.

I won't go without my Eakin seals, so I am one who would highly recommend their use with the BCT under the seal.

I have recently added the Brava strips to my arsenal, as well. I have to cut the tape off of my beloved Convatec Moldable wafer due to severe sensitivity, but I love them. I now put a Brava Strip on each side of the disc that remains when I cut off the tape. It is working wonderfully for me.

Blueheron shared a tip for controlling the output during pouch change time and it has helped cut my change time, considerably. Not to mention curbing my use of profanity during change time.

"When I have output coming out of my stoma the regular way (which I experienced a crazy episode of yesterday!) I use a 1.5" strip of paper towel to make a "chef hat" for my stoma. You have to use paper towel... toilet paper won't work because it disintegrates too quickly. Basically I wrap the paper towel strip just around the top of my stoma so that it extends into a tube above the stoma. It really does look like my stoma is wearing a tall chef's hat. The part of the tube that extends above my stoma catches any output. As it fills, I pop off one "hat" and quickly wrap on another. Yesterday I went though about 20 paper towel strip hats! They just kept filling up, but I never had output dribble down and touch my skin. What is good about this method is that I can leave on the paper towel tube and still work around the base of my stoma. I can even fit my wafer over the stoma when it is wearing its hat. It does work better with thicker output. Really watery output isn't caught as well in the tube of paper towel... but it is better in these cases than nothing."


I also use a small piece of tape to hold the raw end of paper towel strip. And, I keep the strips pre-cut and the little pieces of tape stuck to something nearby for a quick switch.

Here is a link to another thread about her tip. This is one of the best non-product tips I have ever found to actually work.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=33&m=2766978
Posted 12/17/2014 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!

I never had huge skin problems but when I did have a bit of irritation it did sting to high heaven!!! As soon as I feel itching or can see that there is a bit of a leak starting I change. I am back to 6 days between changes since my surgery at the end of sept. I only use the BCT, nothing else. No paste, strips, Eakins, powders nothing. I hop out of the shower, blow dry the area, apply the Friars and then slap my wafer on.

I used to use the chef hat trick as well as 4-5 marshmallows before my change with my loop. My little end ileo is a little more cooperative and doesn't act up in the morning so that's when I do my change.

Hope this works for you. Any other questions let me know! I think Dan is down enjoying the sunshine in Florida!

Kelly
Posted 12/18/2014 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the link to the picture CrohnieCJ! I will be trying that out in the am when I change again. I had been trying to use TP but that doesn't do much of anything. Will also try using the Eakin seal. I spoke to the WOCN this morning...she thinks my problem is being caused because my stoma seems to be "in between sizes". 7/8 too big and 3/4 too small! May have to try some cut-to-fit! So maybe using the entire Eakin slim will cover enough of the area. The 3/4 ones are really causing leakage issues. Kelly, I think I read on here somewhere where you said you learned your lesson about using a size too small. You would think that would be better and not worse but I've only had leaks with the smaller ones!

And if Dan is in Florida, he is definitely enjoying the sunshine! I live here and the weather has been awesome the last couple of weeks! Thanks again for the tips!

Vicki
Posted 12/19/2014 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Get some cut to fit. I can't use the precuts, even tho my stoma is perfectly round, they just don't fit well. I cut mine right on the inside of the 1" mark.

I do use a larger flange and have no issues.

I hope you find something that works for you. I tried an eakin once and there was sticky stuff everywhere....definitely not for me!

Sunshine would be welcomed here in Ottawa....just dull grey skies for the last week.

Keep us posted on your progress!
Posted 12/22/2014 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kelly!
Based on your recommendation, I am trying a little BCT on the tender skin around my stoma. Then I crusted it a little, and I added Eakins seal. If it gets better, that would be great to just use the BCT! Wish me luck! :-)
Posted 12/22/2014 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Aaaaaah! So about an hour later, I feel liquid dripping down my leg! I've had liquid breach the wafer before, but never a true leak! I'm talking, I just had time to get to the bathroom before it's dripping between my toes! Terrible! Thankfully, I am home and was still in my bathrobe.
Anyway. I showered and replaced all. This time, though, I am just using BCT. No Eakins seal. I think I somehow caused my wafer to not stick well by using too much?. Sure would appreciate any insight on this. And now, really wish me luck!
Ps - zoinks! It stings!
Posted 12/23/2014 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
I could never figure out those eakins.

Hopefully this will work for you.
Posted 12/29/2014 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Yay! I just wanted to report, in case it's helpful info to anyone, that I just did my first bag change since using only BCT as prep with a convex wafer. Skin was happy and when checking the back of the wafer, I could see it just showed normal wear and no weak areas.
Happy skin with healed tender spots = new fan of BCT! :-)
Posted 12/29/2014 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Yahoo! So happy for you! I tell you, it's the best thing I have found since I started this whole Ostomy adventure!

Glad it's working for you!
Posted 12/29/2014 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Yippeee !!! I agree with Larasmom--it is the best.
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