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wear time? applying wafer? filter?

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Posted 6/13/2015 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to put a bunch of ?'s all in one, but I thought it would be silly to post 3 times for 3 questions. For those of you who don't know me, or don't remember, I had a colostomy 1/27/15, still getting used to it.

So, first:

1. Wear time:
I realized this past time I went an entire week (longest ever for me). Is it ok to leave as long as it's doing ok? Or should you change it after a certain time or certain changes?

2. Applying the wafer:
I know they say to put your hands over it for like 2 minutes to make it stick better for longer wear time but does anyone do that? I have sore hands often, could I use a blow dryer on low and press on it by leaning against something--ok, i know that sounds weird, but i'm desperate here!

3. Filter:
I still have some liquid stool and suppose I always will. So generally after about a day, my filter ends up w/ dried stool on it and doesn't work. Mostly happens when i sleep, makes sense. Is there anyway to "unclog" the filter and make it work again? Burping this bag is really tough for me, it clicks on really hard and is tough to know sometimes even when it is all clicked on. Basically i have to tense up what stomach muscles i have under my layer of fat and press really hard to get it back on. I know I could change to another appliance, but pretty much really like this one other than the filter issue. Often when I have gas it's easier to just open the bottom (like to empty) than burp it at the top.


I appreciate any help you can give me with these questions. Obviously not super important but would still be good to know.

Thanks for listening!!


Sunny.
Posted 6/13/2015 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Sunny, I hope things are going better with your health issues -- you've had some tough times lately.

I've had a colostomy for about a year and a half. My experience:

1. I change every six days -- I adopted this as it was the practice of the home nursing service I had after surgery to change in six days if you weren't having leaks. I never got to six days for quite a long time, but when I finally found an effective set-up, I decided to follow their practice -- they were pretty darn cost-conscious, and it seemed likely they would have extended the time if they felt it safe. Also, I find I just feel like it around day 5 or 6. I've occasionally gone longer (up to 9 days) when travelling, and it was more convenient just to wait till I got home.

2. I don't use my hands, I use the hair dryer, to dry the skin after my shower, to dry the Cavilon, and then to seal the wafer. I am getting a pretty steady 6-day wear now.

3. I've totally given up on filters, I've used both Coloplast and Hollister bags and not found either to be effective beyond a day or two -- I thought the problem was that my output was too thick! I liked the coloplast bags a lot, but really need the floating flange on the Hollister to facilitate the burping process. Also, the plastic is more flexible, making it easier to just crack open the top without the bag detaching completely (results of this not pretty). Coloplast was just too stiff and required painful pressure on my stomach to attach the bag to the wafer.

Hope this helps,

Ann
Posted 6/13/2015 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sunny! I hope you are doing ! I've been meaning to email you, but life got a little hectic, and now I'm out of town visiting family. At the very least I'll respond to your questions here now, and will write more when I get back home if I don't have time before then.

1. I change my wafer once a week...on Friday mornings. There have been times where it doesn't last a week and a few times I have made it to 9 days. As long as it feels secure and your skin doesn't seem bothered, I don't see any reason to keep the wafer on as long as it will last for you. I do know some people like to change to a fresh bag after 3 or 4 days, even if they aren't changing the wafer. I have never done this because my bags hold up well enough, and I use a different one when sleeping anyway. (The oversized one we've talked about before)

2. Sometimes I use my hands to press down the wafer, but sometime I don't have time. I have used the hairdryer quite a few times and that works well too. You don't need to press down as hard since the heat helps activate the adhesive a bit. I also try to press down right around my stoma...to make sure the seal there is good and tight, since that is where the most liquid/wafer contact happens.

3. The filters are useless! As far as I know, there is no way to unclog them once they stop working because moisture is a big part of what makes them stop working to begin with. I think we use the same type of Convatec bags, and if so, they don't come in a non-filter version. But, there is another bag that is similar and it does come without a filter. know that wouldn't solve your problem, but at least there isn't a clogged and possibly leaky filter to deal with. www.convatec.com/products/ostomy/two-piece-products/natura-two-piece-drainable-pouch/p-c22de78b-6946-472a-b043-4a9669f83159/1_0029/
I have also heard of something called osto ezvents, that a lot of folks say work better than the built in filters. I keep meaning to order samples. http://www.kemonline.com/content/home/

Hope some of that is helpful. Take care and I will talk to you soon!
Posted 6/13/2015 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
I change my wafer every 3 or 4 days, usually because I start to feel uncomfortable. As far as the filter issue, I agree with everyone else that they are useless. I am mostly writing to let you know that I have also had problems using the coloplast 2 piece bags. Coloplast is a great product, but when it comes to the 2 piece, Hollister is so much easier to snap on and burp. You don't have to press your abdomen at all. You can hold the edges between your thumb and finger and easily snap it into place. If you haven't tried them yet, call for samples. They are always eager to help in anyway then can.
Posted 6/14/2015 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
You can also disable the filter by putting a bit of tape over it. The Hollister bag without a filter has the clamp closure instead of the velcro -- so I prefer just to put up with the useless filter.

EP, I tried the Convatec two piece as well, I spent nearly 20 minutes trying to get the bag on to the flange with no luck.

Veganostomate, who is a member of this group, has a review of the osto ez vents on his site, http://www.veganostomy.ca/

it's a great site, lots of reviews, videos, good stuff.

Ann
Posted 6/14/2015 6:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all SO much for all the feedback!!! Incredibly useful and helpful. I will be trying some new products in the future it looks like. Just have to order samples of some of the things talked about in your posts!

I appreciate your responses really so much! Very valuable info that I could never get anywhere else but from other ostomates! If i ever write "estimates" rather than "ostomates", it's my stupid computers idea of what i mean to say. darn spellcheck. works on strange stuff when you don't want it to, but when you actually need it, it ignores you!

Once again, appreciate you sharing your experiences. Means a lot to have a connection with you all and not feel alone and confused about all this!


Sunny.
Posted 6/15/2015 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
When I had my temporary ostomy I also had a hard time attaching the bag to the wafer (used Convatec 2 piece). Trick my ostomy nurse taught me was to put a little bit of liquid soap around the plastic...darn thing clicked right on doing that. Might be worth a try!

Vicki
Posted 6/16/2015 12:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Sunny, just to add my 2 cents quckly.
1 - We need to remember we cause some trauma to the skin each time we change the wafer. With that in mind I like to keep it attached for about a week.
2 - I heat the wafer a little with a blow drier before I apply it. After I apply it (Convatec Moldable) right up to the stoma, I slide a 3/4 inch PVC coupling over the stoma and apply a little pressure for about a minute. You could get a coupling or piece of plastic pipe that perfectly fits over your stoma.
3 - I think lots of people have trouble with the filters. I did and stopped using them. I use Osto-Ez-Vents now and they're terrific.
Sorry for the hurry.
Good luck,
Michael A
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