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WAFER DAYS - HOW DO YOU COUNT?

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Posted 10/16/2007 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
Judy,

Adapt is either a paste or seal produced by Hollister. I have to use the powder and the No-sting spray b/c my skin gets irritated from the wafer. So, I apply that and then I apply the wafer (with either an Eakin seal stript or Adapt paste). Today I combined both. You are probably right...I think I made a cake today but I thought I would at least try to see if the combination make a difference. Usually I only wear the Adapt paste under my wafer but I am trying to get more life out of my wafers. My ET nurse keeps telling me that getting 3-4 days out of one wafer is FINE. However, I want more. I am trying these different "ostomy formulas" to see if I can stretch my wafer's lifespan.

Here is my formula for today....I have a smooshed Eakin Seal that I cut into strips (one Eakin Seal should last me through about 5 wafer changes). Ok, so I have a smooshed Eakin with a thin layer of paste to help fill any gaps. I used Skin Barrier and an insert. I am not itching...yet.
Posted 10/16/2007 9:48 PM (GMT 0)

Amey, Judy,

I changed my wafer yesterday and things seem ok so far.  Judy, I think I will try a larger part of the Eakin Seal next time.  I have absolutely no problems with the wafer sticking anywhere else EXCEPT for the  1/4'' or so next to the stoma that wears away pretty quickly (except for my 5 day wear this last time).  I used to get that same wear time with just the wafer and a band of stomahesive paste around the opening for the stoma.  And it seemed that the paste also helped to heal any "itchy" skin around the stoma pretty quickly (gritting my teeth when I first apply it cuz it does burn a little).  Never had skin issues.  Still not having issues, but paying attention a little more closely to it.

So, Amey, how's the cake doing?! tongue

Posted 10/17/2007 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Ok I am obviously doing something way wrong because I have problems, problems, and more problems and I do not go see my ET nurse until Thursday.

I have the ants after 2 days. I have a blister on the underneath side of my stoma, I had little red red bumps around the base of stoma that turned white and the whole darn thing is just extremely itchy, sensitive, and irritating.

So how did I screw up????

Also, going to post this on my Newbie 101 post
Posted 10/17/2007 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
And I count like this......I always change in the morning so, I did it yesterday so I count:

Monday = 1 whole day
Tuesday = 1 whole day
Wednesday = 1 whole day

So then I change first thing Thursday morning and start over. I am choosing to change every 3 days right now til I can these problems under control.
Posted 10/17/2007 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hayley...

My nurse keeps reminding me that 3-4 days is good and there is nothing wrong with it...I just want to figure out if I can get more. I had some of the same problems that you are experiencing. I cannot wear anything made my Convatec or Hollister Standard Wear. I can only wear the Hollister New Image Flextend Wear. I can also wear Coloplast but they show under my running shorts when I workout. So, I have stuck with Hollister New Image. It took me several weeks to realize I was allergic to Convatec and I had to use a certain formula to get skin to heal.

1. Understand damaged skin and stoma are usually from leaking stool behind the wafer or allergic reaction to the wafer. So, if you may want to try another brand on appliances.

2. It is easy to get a yeast infection at first because your skin is warm and moist around the stoma. Your Dr can call you in some Nystatin powder. I used the powder and that helps the itching right away. I put some No-Sting spray over the powder otherwise your wafer will not stick to your skin. Then I put paste around my wafer and applied the wafer. If you are not allergic to the wafer, then 3-4 days of having that powder sit on your skin should promote great healing.

During the first 2 weeks, my stoma was red, bumpy, and it had blisters on it. My skin around my stoma had blisters that popped and bled. All under my wafer and round the outside of my wafer, my skin was red and irritated. My skin looked normal again with in a week. It takes a while to find out what works. Now, my skin looks great. I am playing around with my wafer to see if I can get more days out of my wear. If I cann't, then I will have to be satisfied with only getting 3-4 days.

Judy...my cake looks good! I ordered a barrier pad made by Hollister today. I am not sure how to use it or how it works, but I figured it does not hurt to try it out. It is a flat sheet that is 4"x4" and it lays completely under your wafer flat on your skin. Then the wafer goes on top....I think that is what it is. My Edgepark catalog did not give many details about it. Congrats on getting so many days out of your wafer! That is awesome! Why would you want to use the paste and the seal when you are doing so well?
Posted 10/17/2007 10:46 AM (GMT 0)

Amey - Were your red bumps and blisters the yeast infection or the allergy?  Or just skin getting used to the ostomy?  Once in a while I have a little white spot on the tip of my stoma - but it comes and goes.... wonder if this is a blister or just rubbing on clothing?  Any ideas?   It actually looks like those canker sores you can get in your mouth but there is only one, it comes and goes, and it's only about as large as a pencil eraser when it shows up.  

Glad to hear the cake is still baking!  I sure hope WE can both get our wear times up around 5-7 days all the time.  I never thought I would be wishing for that until I don't have it now.  We'll just keep experimenting and posting our results here til we find something that works more than one time.

Rachel --- Sounds like you and Amey have the itchy, red skin thing in common.  Maybe it is an allergy or a yeast infection.  As you can see from my question above, I'm not much help.  I've been really, really lucky.

 

Posted 10/17/2007 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
Peggy - the blisters around my stoma were from stool gathering under my wafer. Stool is like an acid to your skin and it causes irritation. Similar to what a baby's bottom would look like after sitting in stool for 3 days. Hey, maybe I should get some diaper rash medicine...oh wait, that has a greasy texture....can't have that.

I am not sure what the white spot is on your stoma. I know that I had one on the side of my stoma from my wafer rubbing against my stoma. I was cutting the wafer a little too tight against my stoma and it caused this to happen. It may be your cothing rubbing against you. Do you wear tight clothing directly on your stoma area?
Posted 10/17/2007 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
No tight clothing for me - my undies are the same (same style, that is) since '84 surgery... no change there either.  I'm thinking it just might be an irritation, maybe when the stoma is active it is somehow hooking the wafer opening.  It's not there all the time so more detective work.  I'm not real concerned since it goes away.

 

Posted 10/17/2007 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Peggy,

Have you had any symptoms of your disease? I don't want to scare you, but I've had white ulcers and it's always been a sign of the disease. That's me though, and I have pretty severe recurring disease they tell me, and that doesn't mean that's what yours are, but when's the last time you've had a colonoscopy?

I can ususally tell when a medication is working or not because I can see the disease.
Posted 10/17/2007 1:12 PM (GMT 0)

Judy,

WELLLLLL,  I haven't had a colonoscopy since about 1996 or 1997.  And that was at Cleve Clinic due to abd pain which was diagnosed as adhesions cuz there was no sign of CD at the time.  In fact, I have been one of the very lucky people that have not had CD come out of remission since my surgery in '84.   I have not had any symptoms, I have bloodwork done every 6 months - sed rate and white count have been great, and I have been gaining weight.  No abd pain.  Do you think, given this info, that I might want to mention it to the GI?  I usually only "see" him once a year for my checkup to go over the first round of bloodwork, get maintenance rx's, etc.  What's your opinion - from one veteran to another?  (Our ET here in my little town would not be an option for me - not had a good experience with her.)

Posted 10/17/2007 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
So that's 10 years? I would think it's time for a colonoscopy anyway, even if it's for cancer screening? CD patients have a higher incidence of colon cancer, so you can use that as a reason to get one (even though you don't have a colon). I know it's not the test anyone wants to push for, lol.

Not all disease can be tracked with blood tests, and it would be nice to know there's anything lurking, or if there is something going on, it would be great to catch it early as you have a better chance of the current medications being helpful.

 

Posted 10/18/2007 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Today is day 2 for my wafer and it is starting to ITCH !!!! It itches all around the tape area and under the wafer. I would think that if I was leaking it would itch closer to my stom area but it is generally everywhere! I hope that this getting better once the weather gets cooler.
Posted 10/18/2007 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Is it possible you're allergic to the adhesive?
Posted 10/18/2007 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Judy,
That is very possible. However, I am trying to find a wafer that I am the least allergic to. I am highly allergic to Convatec and Hollister's standard wear wafers. I contacted Coloplast and they said they have a new product which is suppose to be great to sensitive skin; however, it is not available in a 2pc system as of yet...they are working on it. I tried the Coloplast Assura and I had the same 2-day itch and had to change. My skin is not making ostomy-life easy on me, but I will figure this out eventually. Even if it means changing my wafer every 3 days.
Posted 10/19/2007 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
You do use a skin barrier don't you? I know I'm sensitive (not allergic) to certain adhesives and the skin barrier really helps. I use it any time I need to use tape on my skin.
Posted 10/19/2007 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Judy,
Define Skin Barrier? I have skin barrier wipes made my Convatec which is really sticky and goes under the wafer. I just got a skin barrier wafer-shaped appliance in the mail made my Hollister. This is a 4"x4" square. I am suppose to cut a stoma hole in the square and press the entire square against my skin. Then I put the wafer on top of this. It is suppose to work as a sheild against my skin. Hopefully, I am not sensitive to this huge square.

The item looks like this http://www.hollister.com/us/products/product_series.asp?id=1&family=1&series=85
It is product #8800.

Has anyone else every tried this product?
Posted 10/19/2007 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
I was talking about the liquid skin barriers, I like the 3M No-Sting. They really protect your skin more than you think and you can choose from many brands. I would think that the Hollister 4x4 barrier would stick to your skin using the same adhesive as there flanges?
Posted 10/19/2007 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Judy,

I always use No-Sting Spray and anti-inch fungal powder! Like you, I am concerned that these square barriers are going to have the same effect as the wafer (itchy, itchy). However, if my problem is leakage, I am hoping that this will help. If they do not help...well, then I will just stay with what I am doing. If they do help...then I will have a new favorite product. I am at 3.5 days now with my current wafer. It is REALLY ITCHY ALL OVER but it looks good. I am going to try to tough it out as long as I can.

I will keep you posted. :o)
Posted 10/19/2007 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Here's a crazy idea Amey ---- have you thought about taking a Benedryl (or similar) pill and see if it helps the itch at all?  I know it's not an answer to the long term wear issue, and you are working on that.  But I figure if your skin looks good at 3.5 days, try a Benedryl, or similar herbal product to stretch your wear time? 

Posted 10/20/2007 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Amey,
Would a latex-free wafer help?
Posted 10/20/2007 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Peggy and FL,

You bring up great points. I will check my medicine cabinet for a benedryl. That is a great idea. I tried the Coloplast Assura which I believe is latex-free. I will have to double check that. However, I still only got 3 days out of the Coloplast. I could not use my insert with it because the flange was a different size than my insert. Inserts have give me a longer wear time and I need to con't using them. I know that Convatec Durahesive do not contain latex and this product burns my skin like an acid. From the moment I put it on, my skin starts to deteriorate. Hmmm, back to the 'ole drawing board. But hey, I have almost gone 4 days with this wafer. It itches like crazy and red little bumps are starter to form around the tape area. I am trying to see if I can make it through tomorrow morning. I have a 25 mile bike ride which will probably make me sweat it off anyway. So, might as well leave it on until after the ride.

Have a great night...Thanks for chatting with me this week. Peggy, I am glad you made it through the storms! I prayed that the Lord would watch over you and give you comfort.
Posted 10/22/2007 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Peggy,

I thought I would give you an update...the Coloplast wafer did not even hold-up for 2 days. After 1.5 days the wafer area around my stoma had deteriorated and I could see the Eakin Seal underneath. This morning the wafer started to leak and itch. This was a latex-free extended wear product. I know Cecilia has great success with this product so I am assuming my stool is too acidic.
Posted 10/24/2007 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Amey -  I just read your post to Eva about usually only using hot water when you clean the skin?  Maybe your adhesive problem has to do with that?    Did it help to stop using the Dial?   I use Neutrogena for sensitive skin.  I bath bar lasts forever.  Been using it since 1984 = well, not the same bath bar, just the same brand!  Do you think you might have a build up of residue or skin oils from perspiring that is not getting washed away?  Just some thoughts.....

Also, check this out.   Judy mentioned this somewhere on this board, maybe even earlier here, but when I applied the eakin seal, I made sure that i smooshed the edges of it complete around the edge of the stoma opening of the wafer - not applied thick, but applied to seal the edges of the cut opening.  Hard to explain, but I changed yesterday at 6 a.m.  and so far, (knock on wood), absolutely NO ITCHING WHATSOEVER!!!!!   Try it!

Posted 10/24/2007 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
I was ROFL when I read this!!!

peggy said...
1 bath bar lasts forever. Been using it since 1984 = well, not the same bath bar, just the same brand!

Posted 10/25/2007 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Cecilia...I thought the same thing! Like I would actually think Peggy has been using the same bar of soap since 1984..what a hoot! I guess that would would mean Pegs only shows about once year, if that.

ROFL!
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