HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Appliance wear time...Help!

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/17/2010 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I hope that someone can help me out with some advice here...

I have been using Hollister products since my surgery in June 2010, and I was getting 5-6 days wear time from my flanges. Lately (the past 2 weeks) the material around my stoma seems to start breaking doewn within hours of putting a new one on, and then, of course, waste starts to leak underneath & I have to change it. I am averaging 2 days now, one only last 4 hours! I haven't changed the way I put it on, I use the Adapt paste, and have also started using Convatec Eakin seals around the stoma under the flange, and this seems to help keep the waste from reaching my skin and causing the crazy itchy-burny feeling that means I have to take it off and change it.

Is it possible that I am eating/drinking something that is causing a more rapid breakdown of the material? I do love coffee, which I know is acidic, and my Dr. gave me the ok to drink red wine, could these be making a difference? It just seems so weird that it is happening all of a sudden, and the only things I could think of was that with my return to work I drink more coffee, and I have a glass of red wine at dinner 3-4 nights a week.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Posted 10/17/2010 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
hollister has had some quality control problems lately, you may have gotten one of their bad batches. Are all your wafers coming from the same lot number?
Posted 10/17/2010 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
I had problems with Hollister also, so I switched to Convatec's moldable wafer. It sticks like it has super glue on the wafer. LOL I can get 7 days wear time, but I change twice a week to be safe since I am a bus driver. Do you use the Allkare wipes with your stoma powder to make a "crust" to protect your skin? I have had my temporary loop ileostomy since June 21, 2010 and am still learning too. Good Luck, Tracy
Posted 10/17/2010 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
KLM
You need to call Hollister and inquire about any problems with the wafer you use. You will need the lot number on the end of the box.
phone to Hollister 888 740 8999

Dan
Posted 10/21/2010 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info!

I did decide to switch to Convatec's moldable wafer, they are SO much easier to use! I wonder if it was a bad batch from Hollister, they were all from the same box, so that could be it. I think I'll call and see if they'll send replacements!

KLM
Posted 10/22/2010 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
KLM
Is your stoma extended or retracted? Has it changed since your surgery? Has it shrunk in diameter? With physical changes in your stoma you may have to change what you do and what you use.

Dan
Posted 10/22/2010 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
I have been reading that alot of you wear the moldable wafer. How does it work?
Posted 10/22/2010 9:34 AM (GMT 0)
The moldable wafer is one that you do not need to cut or order pre-cut. You just roll the middle of the wafer to the size of your wafer, mine is 7/8, and then apply the wafer to your skin...then you roll the wafer back until it is snug around your stoma, and later when the output hits it, it will turtle neck around the stoma. This has totally cleared up my skin.

Go to youtube.com and type in convatec moldable wafer and there is a video from them about how to use the moldable wafer system. You can also call them and they will send you samples.

I was having issues with Hollister leaking and not sticking well.
Posted 10/22/2010 10:09 AM (GMT 0)
moldable wafers are great! Definitely worth trying:)

Hollister seems to have issues lately...I think most of us have had problems with their wafers.

Like Dan mentioned, too, if you've had any changes, like weight loss or gain (even just a few pounds), your wear time can be affected:(

Can you get in to see your stoma nurse just to be sure everything is fitting correctly?
Posted 10/22/2010 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi KLM!
I have had my ileostomy for two years and have experimented with lots of stuff. I live in a relatively small town but I found the Ostomy and Wound Care nurses at the one hospital we have here to be a wonderful resource. They have never charged me for their help, but if I met them at the hospital I usually got charged for the room. One thing they said to me often was the ostomy products are made to adhere best directly to your skin. Adhesives are sometimes necessary but if you can get away from them you may actually see better results. Also, there are several companies out there. Most will send you free samples if you call and ask. Anyway, I have lots of tips I've learned. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!
Posted 10/24/2010 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have had some changes since the surgery - my stoma has shrunk a bit, but it still sticks out about 1/2 inch. I have noticed that the lower edge retracts a bit when it is outputting - so this may be where the problems come in, if it pulls back to far, waste may get under the wafer. Since I started using the Convatec moldable wafer with the eakin seals it's been a bit better, but I think I need the smaller size than what they sent me. My stome is longer than it is wide, so this may be another issue. It's a pretty big learning curve! I have gained a few pounds too, (lost 30 lbs while in the hospital, still not back to my original weight) but I haven't noticed a difference in the way my clothes fit - but it sounds like it could be affecting my products.

NASCARon - I do have a belt - I don't like wearing it, even though I don't notice it for the most part - but it does seem to help, so I will keep it on! I have never heard of the sure seal - what is it? I'll try anything that might help! I try very hard to get all the old adhesive off - I am going to try the Smith & Nephew No-Sting Skin-Prep you mentioned.

It still takes me about 1/2 hour to do the change, because I am so worried it won't last long. I guess it just takes practice! $$$ is also a big concern for me right now, as I just got back to work, so I don't want to be running through supplies too fast.

Some of you have mentioned going to see an ostomy nurse - I think I am going to do that, just to make sure I am still doing everything right! And using the right type of wafer.

Thanks so much for all your input!

Posted 10/24/2010 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
KLM, you may need a convex wafer. The convex wafers make the stoma stick out more. Convatec does sell a convex moldable wafer....just call and ask for some samples. Also, I have found that the sure seals are great if you can get atleast 4 days or even more wear time with your system....if not, then the sure seals stripped my skin and made it look and feel horrible.
Posted 10/25/2010 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
KLM
Like answers4me2 said you might need a convex wafer. I have been trying a Hollister convex seal under my regular wafer. So far it is working great. And it does not leave the sticky residue like an Eakin seal. My stoma is totally retracted.

Dan
Posted 10/25/2010 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
I too had some problems with Holister wafers/paste. I thought maybe because of the summer heat, sweating was causing the leaks I had. After reading this now I not so sure. I ended up switching to Coloplast's Assura lline and love them! I use the strips of putty as a seal. The wafer part on the Assura is clear, so if anything starts to work its way to the edge you will see it first!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply