HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Convatec Moldable

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/26/2007 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Have any of you used the Convatec Moldable units and if so did you find it necessary to also use a ring such as Eakin or etc ?
Posted 8/26/2007 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
I just started using them, and yes, I've had to use an Eakin seal with it. It gets to mushy around the edges and lets stool leak around the stoma and cause irritation. I do like them because I have an irregularly shaped stoma and I don't have to cut anything out.
Posted 8/29/2007 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
I use them also. I do not use Eakin's but I should. I live the moldable option. Before, if my cut was too big, I had to throw out the wafer.
Posted 8/29/2007 5:37 AM (GMT 0)
I am a big fan of the Convatec moldable.  I've been using it for about 5 months and so far, so good.  I switched from size medium to small about a month after my surgery (4/17) and found I could make a much better "turtleneck" around the stoma.  I don't use any rings, seals, paste, etc. and my skin looks great.  I usually get 5-7 days of weartime  Lately I've been swimming and hot tubbing a lot and it has not been a problem AT ALL.  Good Luck!
Posted 8/29/2007 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
Lilly - do you have an ileostomy? I have used Convatec products since my surgery back in 84, and only ever used the flexible flanges with paste. It seems since I have been gaining a little weight (or maybe just eating more!) that my wear time has dropped from 7 days+ to right around 5 days. I have heard of the moldable but never tried it.
Posted 8/30/2007 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
If you're eating more, you have more stool which means it's eroding the paste quicker. That's why I love the Eakin Seals, especially with an ileostomy which tends to be a little acidic, they hold up great.

Are you using a durahesive wafer? With an ileostomy, durahesive (which is what the moldables are made of) is recommended, it holds up better than their other products. An ileostomate has less formed, more erosive stool than a colostomy.

LillyIlly, is the flange size for the size small the same size as the medium? I think I need to change, but have a stockpile of pouches. I tried and tried to use the product without the Eakins, and finally my ET said, why aren't you using Eakins, you'll get much better wear without leaks, lol. Anyway, they're expensive, was trying to save money, but it didn't work, must be my belly shape.
Posted 8/30/2007 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
When it comes to leaks . . . I guess I've just been lucky (knocking on wood right now). I definitely had my share of leakage problems the first week or so I was home from the hospital - it was SO frustrating. I couldn't get a good seal over my incision and was putting a new appliance on every couple of hours. My ET said it was because my tummy was still so swollen. At that point I think I was using Coloplast one piece systems and they were too rigid. One day she showed up and had just been to a seminar sponsored by ConvaTec - she had samples of the Sur-Fit Natura moldable skin barrier. I was at my wits end and was willing to try anything. It worked great and since then, things have been good. I usually change on day 5-7. I haven't had a blow out since June (and it was a doozy). Had a big glass of orange juice at my birthday brunch - BIG mistake!

Peggy - Yes, I have a permanent ileostomy. Was diagnosed in '77 with UC and was a VERY sick teenager - pred, aszulfadine, numerous trips to the hospital but no surgeries. Went into remission in my early twenties and had lived normally for the last 20 or so years - no flares or drugs. In March, my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with High grade dysplasia. On 4/17 I had what was supposed to be a 1-step J pouch procedure. Long story short, my anatomy didn't cooperate during the surgery and I ended up with a Barbie butt and "Lilly" (the name I gave my stoma). Not what I was expecting, but I am cancer free and grateful that it was caught in time. I'm actually a little relieved that the Jpouch didn't work - sounds like there is greater opportunity for so many other issues and ongoing problems. I am perfectly happy with the way things worked out.

Judy - are you using the 1 3/4" flange? If so, according to the Edgepark catalog, the small and medium are available for this flange size. Small fits stoma sizes 1/2" -7/8" and medium is for 7/8"-1 1/4". The large is only available for the 2 1/4" flange.

Interestly enough, I just now realized that I have been using "stomahesive" and even though I haven't really had any problems, I may give the "durahesive" a try. It's just about time to place another order.
Posted 8/31/2007 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Judy - Thank you for the great input.... I have one more question. It seems that there is a difference between the durahesive and the moldable. Is that correct? Do you cut the opening in the durahesive like the stomahesive flexibles? I don't mind doing that. And will the Eakin seals work with Convatec products? Or is 'Eakin Seals' just another name for that company's wafers? I think you are right about the eating more, producing more stool causing less wear time. I just can't keep the food out of my mouth! I really need this weight gain tho. Been borderline underweight all my life -- combination of heredity and CD and ostomy, or so I thought. Maybe my body is just changing - the 7 year thing! I certainly appreciate all of your experienced insight. Thank you.

LillyIlly - "Barbie" butt , Oh that is so funny. I haven't heard of that one before! I'm way too sheltered. I, too, was on all of your drugs, but they didn't do diddly squat for me. I was not given the option of a J pouch. Too much of a risk for CD reoccuring in that location for me. So I was given my O as a present! I had not done any research into what it was before my surgery. I was in total denial at age 17. Wanted nothin' to do with it then. It only took 1 visit from a UOA trained visitor to change my mind. She was so vibrant leading a completely normal life, very active, working in the real world, without pain, raising 2 small children. That was my turning point. So I became a visitor as soon as I was physically able (after I gained some strength and weight). How rewarding! I really enjoyed doing that. Not much of a UOA program in the little town I live in.
Posted 9/2/2007 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
I was under the impression that the moldables ARE durahesive, at least that's what my ET told me. Just another flange in that line. I'll have to check into it, but so far they've been holding up as well as the durahesives, so I just believed my ET nurse, lol.

Convatec is the supplier of Eakin Seals in this country. You can get them anywhere you can get Convatec. They're a little expensive, but hopefully you'll make up for that with extra wear time. They come in 2 sizes, you'll want the smaller ones if you're an ileostomate. You just mold them around your stoma, snug them up to it, and put your wafer on top, centered.
Posted 9/2/2007 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have the moldable and they are durahesive. These are great and I have not had any problems with them. I love them because the wafer creates a turtleneck around your stoma and prevents leaks. Today I am experimenting with a Holister New Image. I have had it on for one day and the wafer is already showing signs of wear. I quess I will go back to the ConveTec. I have not tried the Eakin Seals yet. I have put an order in for them, but I have to wait.
Posted 9/3/2007 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like I need to give the durahesive a try

 

Posted 9/4/2007 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Peggy,

Go to the Convatec web site and ask for samples of the Moldable durahesive flanges, and while you're at it, ask for samples of the Eakin Seals. You don't have to cut the moldables, which is what I love about them. You just kind of stretch or roll them back from the hole and fit them to your stoma. Make sure you know the size of your stoma when you call.
Posted 9/4/2007 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Judy -  I will do that.  One more question tho...  from the description, it doesn't sound like there is that really thin layer of plastic on the outside of the flange if you can mold the hole opening.  Is that correct?

 

Posted 9/4/2007 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Judy

I just got off the phone with Convatec --- the durahesive and the moldable are 2 different items.  They are sending me one of each to try.  After talking with the rep, she decided I really wasn't a candidate for the Eakin seals.  Not  necessary unless you have uneven areas, or ripples, etc.  Not me, at least not yet!  Both wafers can be used with my existing pouches...

Thanks again Judy.

 

Posted 9/5/2007 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Not true, but you'll find out. I just looked at my box, the moldables ARE durahesive, they just don't have the hard plastic underneath like you mentioned.

Second, depending on your belly and your stoma, you may want to try the Eakins. Did they at least offer to send you a sample? I'm trying to remember if you're the person who was having problems with wear time, if so, Eakins hold up great, and even the durahesives can get mushy around the stoma after a couple of days of wear for an ileostomate.
Posted 9/5/2007 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I am the person who started this letter. Thank you all for your contributions. I started using the Convatec Moldable about 2 weeks ago. I went 6 days before changing - and that was without any Eakin rings - and did not have a leak. I changed only because I thought I should based on other peoples experiences. I have about 4 days in this go around and all still looks ok.So far I am very pleased. They are not at all difficult to apply.I have had an ileoscopy, and a fairly flat stomach.

Posted 9/6/2007 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
I may try it without the Eakin Seals again as soon as all my swelling goes down from my last surgery, and maybe once I lose some pounds from the prednisone, lol. It would be nice not to have to use them, they get expensive.
Posted 9/6/2007 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
I may try it without the Eakin Seals again as soon as all my swelling goes down from my last surgery, and maybe once I lose some pounds from the prednisone, lol. It would be nice not to have to use them, they get expensive.

I also think it has to do with how much bowel and intestine you have left. The less you have, the more liquid and acidic your stool is.

I keep trying new things though, you never know when something will work better. Of course it was much easier when I sold these supplies and all the company reps would give me samples because they wanted me to like their product so I would push it, lol.
Posted 9/6/2007 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
I stopped at my DME supplier yesterday afternoon and picked up some of the disposable convex inserts to try with the stomahesive flexible wafers that I have on hand that I have used since 1984. Just changed it and inserted one in the flange of the wafer this evening. After applying my wafer, with the convex insert, I think maybe that may solve my problem. The stoma doesn't pull back nearly as far when it is functioning. It would stand to reason that the more time it spends "pulled back", the more opportunity that there would be more breakdown of the wafer. The lightbulb just went on!!!!

Also, I was able to buy just one of the Eakin Seals. I didn't try it yet - just one new thing at a time! Then, after I came home with my new products, I got to thinking that I had gotten some free samples of stuff that I hadn't tried yet - "my stash". Guess what? I have 8 Eakin Seals stashed, so now I have 9 to play around with. The rep at the DME supplier said that some of her patients actually cut the Eakins and just place it around the cut opening of the wafer, like you would do with the stomahesive paste to save on the expense a bit.

So, I was looking as the cost of the durahesive and the moldable - wow, what a difference from the cost of the stomahesive wafer!
Posted 9/7/2007 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Depending on your insurance, the Eakins should be paid by them. My problem is that I have a yearly maximum that I reach very early in the year because I've always had a problem stoma. Hopefully after this last surgery I will be able to use less expensive products and keep them on longer.
Posted 9/7/2007 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
i am now using the Durahesive moldable two piece system too.....

maybe they have moldables that are stomadhesive material? i haven't decided if i like these better, the stomahesive ones seemed to have a more comfortable tape portion (around the barrier) than the durahesives, but it may be worth the trade....

my only problem is the first few times i used them, i got leaks....i think i made the opening too tight around the stoma and the stoma then retracted and so it was easier to spring a leak

anyway, my biggest whine these days is not being able to lie down/sleep on my belly for a long time, i feel like it presses on my stoma and contributes to a leak.....

i almost want to cut a whole in my mattress so i can lay down without a problem......that would be kinda weird huh?
Posted 9/8/2007 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
Glad, if you want to lay on your stomach, keep your left leg straight and your right one bent. The bent leg lifts your hip up just enough to keep you from laying right on your stoma. I, too, thought my days of laying on my stomach were over, but not so... 
Posted 9/8/2007 6:29 AM (GMT 0)
I can sleep on my stomach now that I have put an egg crate mattress thingy on top of my pillow top mattress.  No Problem - been doing it for about 5 years now.  I'm in heaven cuz I'm a belly sleeper, well, at least part of the night.  The bent knee position was my choice too, and still use it a lot.

 

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply