Leaks.....ARGH!!

did you switch wafer brands? Start using a new body soap? Are the leaks happening with wafers from a new box, all from the same box? Sometimes you get a bad batch.... I understand, I've had stupid ostomy things lately- leaky Mio (no surprise), then I tried to burp the bag 1 night in bed, & stuff spurted all over me, just annoying things like that. But you're doing everything the same as you did before, when you put a new wafer on? Huh. Are you eating more before bed? You could try to use a blow dryer when you put on a new wafer, heat it up so it really sticks on good. I'm sorry I don't have more suggestions, just trying to brainstorm. Call the manufacturer too, explain what's happening, they may have some cool samples to send you. Do you have a WOCN you can call on? I suppose in lieu of everything else- stick one of those rubberized crib sheets, for babies, on your bed! I used 1 the first month or so after surgery, was positive I'd have a night-time blowout. Never happened, still hasn't. You can get those crib sheets at K-Mart, Target, any mid-level dept. store.

Thanks for the responses and suggestions y'all!

@Eva~ I have not switched any of my brands or types of products. I actually use 2 different Convatec wafers, and just switch back and forth between them. I've searched high and low for a set up that is "perfect" for me, and the closest I came is finding two that are almost good enough...eh. The return of night time leaks and shortened wear time is happening with BOTH of the wafers I use, so I wouldn't think it's the bad batch problem. Nothing has changed with my activities, eating habits, soap, how I put the wafers and such on...I just don't get it! I thought about calling my WOCN, but at this point I've tried SO many products, I feel like I know as much as her. Luckily this time around, the leaks haven't been so bad that I have to change sheets...YET! I sleep in high waist jammie pants that cover the bag/wafer and I am a super light sleeper, so I wake up at the first sign of trouble.

@Silent~ I do use barrier rings. For a while I was using the Adapt rings, but tried some samples of Eakin Slims and had a lot of success with those. Sometimes after I apply the Eakin Slim, I'll cut off part of an Adapt ring to put a little extra layer right up against the stoma, or in uneven areas. I also have the Brava Strips and Sure Seals, which DO work great to contain leaks, but they both irritate my skin a bit. I still use them sometimes, but try and not to anymore than I have to in an attempt to keep my skin happy-ish.

Some people have mentioned that they have had luck going with NO barrier ring at all, and I suppose I could give that a try, but I feel like it wouldn't work for me.

To make matters worse, I was just about to order A LOT of supplies because I maxed out my insurance this year, so anything I order now would be free! If I wait to order next yet, not free at all!!! So, now do I risk ordering a bunch of stuff I won't even be able to use? I already have a lot at the house...grrrrrr.

Ucwhat
Have you tried what I have suggested many times on this forum? Paper towel, water, BCT..?

Dan

I used the Bed Buddy heating pack after each change to help seal everything together. I used stomahesive paste instead of a barrier ring then would microwave the bed buddy for 45 sec just so its warm then laid it on my shirt covering the whole flange for about 5 minutes. It was a tip i got early on and I think it helped.

With the exception of the use of paste, my products and system is pretty much just like what Blueglass described.

BCT is definitely one of the best products in my arsenal. The Brava Strips are also invaluable as I also cut the tape off of my favorite appliance [Convatec Moldable] due to sensitivity to the taped border.

I warm the Eakin and my wafer with my hairdryer prior to their application and then also after everything has been applied.

My wear time also increased when I added the use of my "gadget" which is merely a PVC cap that I got at Lowe's or Home Depot. Mine is 1 & 1/4 inch and was like 65 cents. It helps with adding firm and steady even pressure around the stoma after applying the wafer. I alternate using it with the hairdryer a couple of times once my appliance has been set. Here is a website with a picture of my "gadget". It comes in different sizes.

www.pvcfittingsonline.com/447-020-2-schedule-40-pvc-cap.html

I use the c ring barrier strips from coloplast. They provide and extra inch of protection around the edge. I run and when I do I always have a leak, no way around because i sweat under the seal, but the c shape strips keep it contained. I am also allowed to order 8 rolls of tape every three months. When I sit in the hot tub or go running I put an layer of tape around the c strips. I use the latex free zinc oxide pink tape.

Thanks for the replies everyone! The next couple wafers I have used seem to be lasting my normal average. Last night I thought for sure I had to change to avoid a leak, but when I took the wafer off I appeared to be mistaken. That is one thing I hate about some of the Convatec wafers I use...the tape border starts to lift away right around the hard center part of the wafer, and can make it feel like there is a leak when there is not. Speaking of, I would love to hear how those of y'all who are cutting the tape border off secure the wafer instead. The tape bothers me, which is why I switch between 2 types of wafer...but the Sure Seals and Brava strips bother me too... :(

Also, I finally ordered some BCT, and tried it for the 1st time last night. I'll give it a couple tries before I decide for sure, but so far I don't love it. The smell is awful and not going away, it burns and seems to have caused skin irritation along the bottom edge of my wafer. It doesn't help that last night there must've been a small part of the bag/wafer that wasn't totally sealed, so enough liquid leaked out to saturate the tape border on my wafer. I didn't want to change the whole set up less than 12 hours after putting it on, so I just cleaned it up well and will maybe change earlier than normal....ugh. The fun never ends.