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Those of you with convexity needs...

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Posted 12/30/2010 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I have recently needed to start using convex wafers. HOwever, my stoma isn't retracted. It sticks out about a half inch or sometimes more. My WOCN is baffled that I have leaks within a day with a flat barrier. Recently I've even had a few leaks WITH the convex wafer.

My question is: those of you with covexity needs...how long can you wear your wafer? I don't understand why I keep having these problems. I feel like I've tried everything.

**Disclaimer**

I also have very sensitive skin so I have to wear a wafer with no tape. So far I have only found one that my skin can handle: Hollister. I am trying Coloplast right now.

Thank you all for your info!

 

Posted 12/30/2010 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
I use the covex wafer, but do not have a retracted stoma. I tried them because I just kept having leaks. I'm so glad I did, because they make my wear time 5-7 days!
Definitely try them!
I like to use both hollister and coloplast and alternate. I also use the kind without tape, but use sure seals. I feel like the sure seals also increase my wear time, b/c it keeps the wafer from peeling off.

I'm thinking about switching to non convex, b/c my belly is really growing now, and i'm starting to get some leaks.
Posted 12/30/2010 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
I use convex wafers and my stoma also sticks out somewhere between 1/2" to 1" depending on the day. I use is because my stomach is funky from all my surgeries and dips. There are many reasons to use convexity not just retracted stomas.

I get about 6-7 days of wear time. I used to change on the 3 to 4 days schedule but with the sure seal I don't need to. I use the Coloplast Extended Wear that doesn't have the tape and it makes a huge difference for me.

I think I remember that you are allergic to the sure seal. I would think that the convexity would help but you might have to change on the 3 to 4 day schedule...you'll have to see.

I hope that does the trick!!!

Chasblah~how far along are you now???
Posted 12/30/2010 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both so much for your input.

Chas, it is so nice to hear that there is someone else who uses non-tape options. That is a GREAT idea to switch it up from Coloplast to Hollister. I think if the Coloplast pans out I may do that.

Ohio, yes, I am allergic to sure seals. I really wish I wasn't because I know they work wonders. This skin allergy REALLY sucks. Why can't someone who DOESN'T have an ostomy have my skin allergy?? Ugh. Anyway, if I could go 3-4 days, that would be nice. 1-2 is killing me--I'm constantly afraid of a leak.
Posted 12/31/2010 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
UH, if you like one with tape and cannot use tape......cut it off. I have never had a problem with the tape so it is not a problem. I even have a roll of the tape used on wafers. I currently use a convatec convex wafer. 5 days is no problem. My stoma is retracted in the middle of the night and goes all over the bed with non convex. The problem with convex is that they are uncomfortble.

80's chick
Have you tried the Benzoin Tinctire spray that Weidbeard (a man yuk yuk) uses? I use it in a bottle with Qtip application. Weirdbeard has it in a spray to cover the entire wafer area. Maybve it would help with the tape irritation.

Weirdbeard......??your input

Dan
Posted 12/31/2010 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
I ordered it but haven't used it yet, Dan.

As for cutting the tape off, that's not a thing. Trust me, in my early naive days I tried that. The whole thing is made of tape. The non-tape ones are made of a completely different material that's made out of pectin so if you have sensitive skin it hopefully won't irritate.


It's so frustrating hearing all of you talk about this 7 days, no problems with tape, blah blah. I was so pleased to have my ostomy and not be sick and now I'm starting to get really angry that I'm still struggling. This is not fair.
Posted 12/31/2010 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
8o's chick
I understand your frustration. When I was considering colectomy/ileostomy surgery, my Dr. said "you will have a bag to be changed once a week a week". "PIE IN THE SKY". I have had peritonitis, prolapse and retraction. I am considering surgery to correct the retraction,,,,,,,,,, agan.
Back to basics
How do you clean the stoma area? Use soap? Just use water.
Skin preps just shorten the wear time. Powders the same. All that shortens wear time.
Keep trying.....
I'ts 1AM, i have my dog, my Rum, and blackbery brandy to keep me copmany.....

3 sheets Dan
Posted 12/31/2010 8:08 AM (GMT 0)
my stoma has now gotten to the same level as my skin :( so i use convex (coloplast sensura - works best for me). but as Dan said, the convex wafers are very uncomfortable. but with the convex i get a 7 days wear time :)

my stoma is a loop ileostomy and since i've made up my mind about keeping it, i want to try to have it reversed to an end ileostomy, everyone sais end ileos are much more easier to take care of.
Posted 12/31/2010 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
80'schick, I switch between Hollister and Convatec. This seems to keep my skin happy. Have you tried switching between brands every change? I also tried the tapeless wafers and they would not stay on my skin for more than 24 hours. I did have good luck with 1 of the Coloplast tapeless wafers, but it felt too stiff to me.

Have you tried a hernia belt? I got one due to a small parastomal hernia and it is wonderful. It is tight enough that it pushes my wafer next to my skin and I can't feel the bag pulling, no matter how full it gets.

I truly believe this has helped my wafer to last 7 days and I could have gone longer, but I didn't want to risk a nasty skin burn since I have had issues with the output or mucous seeping right under the wafer and burning the skin right around my stoma.

I called Nu Hope directly and they took my measurements and told me which belt to order from my supplier. The belt is latex free and you just use velcro to keep it in place. It works wonders.


I know you are so frustrated, but keep on experimenting. Tracy
Posted 1/1/2011 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have been able to use the SureSeals again since I started spraying the area with Tincture of Benzion. Before that, they itched way too bad.

Also, I have recently discovered that I do better if I alternate between Coloplast and Marlen. Both are convex. The Marlen is wonderfully soft for a convex, but I have to use a clip instead of the velcro that is built in for emptying.

The spray is Smith and Nephew #407000 Tincture of Benzion.
Marlen UltraMax Item #: 53525 (this is for a 1" stoma) 1-piece.
Coloplast is the Sensura Flex 2 piece.

I can wear the Marlen without the spray if I need to, but not the Coloplast.

-Eric
Posted 1/2/2011 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
I just got the Smith and Nephew Tincture of Benzoin. Are you allowed to spray it on your stoma? Even if I tried to spray it just around the stoma, it's hard to avoid the stoma completely.
Posted 1/2/2011 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Like Dan, I only wash my belly skin with water, no soap. I tilt my head back to rinse conditioner too, so it doesn't rinse down my belly. In fact, I rarely shower without the appliance on. I shower without it, about once a month. It seems to help the wear time last longer, if I shower with it on. And no skin preps!

And I don't ALWAYS get that long. Sometimes it's only 4 days, and very rarely i only get a couple of days. I had a leak a few weeks ago. I woke up in the morning to a wet abdomen. YUCK! But, I blame that on my rounding belly-it's really sticking out now.

My skin is sensitive too, but not as sensitive as yours. That is why I alternate appliances. It seems like if I stick with just one brand of appliance, then the second time I wear it, the area under the wafer itches soooo bad. It feels like i'm leaking because of the itching, but it's not, it just itches! That happens even when I do alternate sometimes, but if I scratch, it causes a leak, so don't scratch. If it's just itching so bad that I can't ignore it, then I take a benadryl, and that seems to help, then I forget about it.

You will find something that works. It took quite a few months for me to finally feel confident about no leaks. Try everything!
Posted 1/2/2011 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
It's okay if you get some of the tincture of benzion on your stoma. It will not stick to the stoma. No worries. I get it on mine all the time.

Be warned that if you have some raw skin, it is going to sting some.

Let us know how it goes.
Posted 1/2/2011 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Right now I have to put nystatin powder on my skin because of a recurrent yeast infection and use barrier wipes over that. Should I be putting the tincture on over that or just wait until I'm not using the nystatin anymore?
Posted 1/3/2011 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
I honestly don't know the answer to that. My guess would be to put the benzion on last - but that is your call. Just make sure everything is dry before putting on the wafer.
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