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Argh! Convatec leaky filters

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Posted 5/2/2011 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
I am bummed. I finally found a set-up I like, and the filter started leaking today. I really liked the Convatec drainable Surfit Natura opaque, two-sided comfort panel pouches with the Invisiclose velcro tail. Unfortunately, the only model with the velcro tail and the fabric panels on both sides also has the filter. They don't make this option without a filter (except with at tail clip which I don't like). If I want to go for a bag without a filter but with the velcro tail, the only model has one side of fabric, which faces your skin. The other side is an "opaque" flesh colored plastic, which one can easily see the stool through. Guess this is my only option if I want a velcro Convatec pouch without a filter. I don't get why, when you want a pouch without a filter, the selection is so limited. Aren't filters useless for most ileostomates, which is a major consumer of ostomy products?
Posted 5/2/2011 11:18 AM (GMT 0)
Blueheron, what a bummer. I was interested that you were leaning toward this system, as it's the one they started me on in the hospital (whereas I think you said you started with the coloplast sensura which I had been using w/no problems until a few days ago, and now I am contemplating changing).

I did have a visiting ostomy nurse say she didn't like the convtatec pouches partly because the filter was in a "stupid place." I thought the system felt heavy and hard to clean, but that was right after surgery, so it could be different now....

Could you put tegaderm or a piece of sure seal over the filter? Just a thought. It's kind of dumb to unfilter a filter that way, but if it stuck well, it'd be a good seal -- that's the stuff they use for IV's and I had it marking my X for where the stoma was going to go for a week, and nothing got in.

Hope you find something you like..... maybe contact the company? It can't be too hard for them to manufacture what you want, if they hear from enough people....
Posted 5/2/2011 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
I never use filters as when I first had surgery they didn't do them for drainable bags and to be honest they usually get junked up anyway because output is too liquid for them to deal with. If you don't like the look of the opaque bag, it has never bothered me, then you can get pouch covers to put over it and they can be designed with your choice of materials.
Posted 5/2/2011 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Stripey- do you use the two-piece Convatecs with two sides of fabric, or just one? I know they make both versions without filters in the tail clip line. I could get used to the barely "opaque" plastic of the Convatec one-sided fabric ones if I had to. I have sewed some pouch covers that work well.

Blueglass- I tried some tape and it still leaked through. Tegaderm is a good idea. Right now I have the little filter sticker that they supply over it and it seems to be working. Today is changing day, so I am going to try another one and put the filter sticker over it right away to see if it prevents leaks from the get go. It is stupid to block the filter, but I really like the fabric on both the top and underside of the bag if possible.

I also saw your reply on the other support garment post. I agree that the Convatec tail is less easy to clean than the Coloplast. Coloplast makes the best velcro tail out there in my opinion. It folds the dirty part in on itself, tucks under the flap, is nice and wide etc. It is so easy to clean! Plus I love the fabric of the opaque bags. And they make all the options filterless. Oh how I wanted that system to work for me! However, both the Sensura and Assura wafers (Xpro and Standard wear) give me these little pimple-like bumps right around the outside edge of the wafer. They aren't horrible, just a bit itchy and annoying. I wasn't sure what was causing this (doesn't seem like an allergy thing as it is just right at the edge of the wafer). I tried putting my wafer on standing up as well as using skin barrier, but these things haven't consistently stopped the irritation. It seems to be worse when I am active, so my hypothesis is that the wafer edge irritates my skin as I move since it is such a hard plastic compared to the the soft Convatec tape. I get no bumps at all with the Convatec.

You are right that the two-pieces are a bit heavier. That is one of the reasons my nurse didn't want me to use them when my incision was healing. Plus I had to push on them pretty hard to get them to seal all the way which was bad for my delicate incision too. Now that I am healed I like them better. I use a mirror to scan the "tupperware" ring on the bottom to make sure it is sealed all the way around. You can see if it is. At least on the Convatec and Coloplast ones, it sure feels like it would take a lot to get it to pop off. Haven't tried my Hollister samples yet, but plan to in the next few weeks. It is so hard because my next time to order is coming up soon and it would be nice to know what to get. Right now I am alternating with two-piece samples and Coloplast one-pieces I ordered in the past just to use them up. I am lucky in that nothing works horribly for me, but it sure would be great to find a system I absolutely love.

You might want to try two-pieces again, but there is nothing wrong with the one-pieces if that is what you like too. They have a wonderfully low profile.
Posted 5/2/2011 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
BlueHeron

I just pulled out the samples that have been extremely successful for hubby with the Convatech SurFit Natura system...the pouch he is using is:their item code 4413334 which is an opaque pouch with NO FILTER and have the velcro closure.

I am going to place an order with Edgepark for these pouches along with the wafers since it has been working well for him.

In the meantime as suggested above how about sealing it off somehow to keep the filter from leaking.
Posted 5/2/2011 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Yes the very end of the tail is a bit flimsier than the Hollister New Image pouches he got so used to.

However the fact he has found a wafer to work successfully and no leaks for the past 3 changes he finds more important and comforting.........so even though emptying the pouch is a bit more of a pain he has accepted that for now.

He loved the New Image by Hollister but the adhesive doesn't like him and the all pectin wafers were too stiff and not dependable enough. We may still experiment with the Hollister again with the coloplast skin sheets (like duoderm I think) and apply the hollister wafer over that and see how that works.

Such a challenge to find what works best.
Posted 5/2/2011 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
blueheron, mine have fabric on both sides but I tend to cut the fabric off the side that is away from the body as don't get any issues with rustling and it takes ages to dry it from shower or bath.

With regard to putting the bags on, I clip the bag to the wafer before I put the wafer on, I not where it needs to be positioned and can do it without needing to put bag on separately. Obviously just changing the bag I need to click the new one in place and can take some pressure but gets easier with time. With the mouldable wafers I click bag on first then put whole thing on skin and push through the bag around the mouldable bit to ensure it is pressed down inside the ring. I run my nails round the ring to check is it still connected as you can feel if any gaps.

I have only ever had on bag pop off the ring in 19 years and it was when I was asleep and laying on my side, bag filled completely and I went to turn over in my sleep and bag fell off, never done it before or since (was about 15 years ago) so think I can't have clicked it properly. Once they are on, they are on. I've done all sorts, skiing, horse riding, running, surfing, wind surfing, diy, and never had a problem with bag or wafer moving and I don't use a belt or any sort of wrap.
Posted 5/2/2011 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
AnotherUCwife- yeah, those are probably the ones I am going to order this time as well. There is just a version with the filter that has that white fabric-like stuff on both sides, and you can't see stool at all through the pouch like you sort of can with the plain opaque plastic. I sew pouch covers for my appliances anyway, because without them the corners of the pouches always scratch my legs, so it isn't a huge deal. I took another Convatec wafer off today and everything looked perfect underneath. My skin seems to really love them (for now anyway), and I reckon that is the most important thing. I am still going to write Convatec with a couple of suggestions though.

Stripey- that is true about the faster drying time. That is definitely an advantage of only having the fabric on one side.
Posted 5/2/2011 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Re drying: I got a pouch cover made of terry cloth, and it's very good... dries the pouch in five minutes or so, while I'm getting ready in other ways.

I am seeing my stoma nurse on Friday. I think I might be having some sticking problems because I gained weight, which is a good thing (for now, won't be a good thing if it continues too much). She's going to take a look and brainstorm with me about whether my new shape requires some tweaks.

From the little bit of experimenting I've done, I'd like the moldable feature from convatec, the wide, easy to clean end from coloplast, and the lightness/softness of the pouches from hollister. And maybe no filters and EZ vents already attached. Oh well.... I can see where sticking without irritating the skin can easily be the priority here....

UC wife, glad he's found something that's working. It's so consuming when they aren't working.
Posted 5/2/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have to say since I swopped to convatec from coloplast 19 years ago I have never had any skin issues, it has always been really good so am not going to change from convatec as their wafers suit my skin and that is the important bit.
Posted 5/3/2011 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Blueglass...you are SO RIGHT about using a piece of Sure Seal over the filter...I've been doing that for years and I never have a problem with my filters:):) They work for days and never make a mess!

Wouldn't it be nice if we could combine the best parts from each manufacturer into our 'dream appliance?"

I think finding the wafer/flange that works for you is the most important...even if it means 'settling' for pouches that aren't are first choice. You may be happy with making/buying a cover...try one before you give up on the pouch!
Posted 5/3/2011 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
A couple months ago I switched to Convatec Sur-Fit Natura convex wafers. I just went 7 days on one wafer. A record for me. No leakage.

As for filters, I tried filters after my ileo surgery. Always plugged up after one night. Now I am using convatec SUR-FIT Natura two piece pouches WITH a filter. I am amazed. I went four days on one bag and the filter kept working. I usually change the bag after three days and the wafer after 5 or 6 days. The filter has never plugged up or leaked. I do put on EZ-vents but have not needed them. I am truly amazed.

Dan 

Posted 5/3/2011 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
i was just thinking how all of the bags/flanges should be universal so you can use them all together!  and that way you could make a system you really like.
Posted 5/4/2011 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Summerstorm- wouldn't that be nice if everything was interchangeable!

Polishdan- you are so lucky that your Convatec filters have not leaked. I agree that they work really well at letting the air out without clogging. However, for me anyway, they also let the output out... and my output isn't even that watery. More the applesauce type consistency. I put on a new pouch and once again the filter leaked after about three days. It doesn't smell much (I am guessing because of the charcoal), but the brown stain the leaking output leaves on my clothes is gross. I think I am going to use the filter-less version, as I am loving everything else about the Natura two-piece system. I can totally see how it would last 7 days. The adhesive seems so much stronger than on the Coloplast wafers. I still change after four days because output starts to erode my Eakin Seals immediately next to my stoma if I go longer.
Posted 5/4/2011 1:43 PM (GMT 0)

Equestrian Mom said...
Blueglass...you are SO RIGHT about using a piece of Sure Seal over the filter...I've been doing that for years and I never have a problem with my filters:):) They work for days and never make a mess!

Wouldn't it be nice if we could combine the best parts from each manufacturer into our 'dream appliance?"

I think finding the wafer/flange that works for you is the most important...even if it means 'settling' for pouches that aren't are first choice. You may be happy with making/buying a cover...try one before you give up on the pouch!

 

Since the filters don't perform and last that long our thought is to use them on travel or important days to get the initial benefit from the filter.  Will have to try the sure seal for when they stop working effectively.

 

Yes I just mentioned that in another thread...it would be great if you could mix and match what you like with each company's products.

 

Currently we are also at that point....find a wafer (which we have at the moment) that your skin likes, no leaking, good wear time and just find a way to accept the pouch that goes along with it.  Fortunately the only complaint about the pouch is the opening at the bottom isn't as rigid as what he was used to but it performs well with no leaking so that is the most important thing.

Posted 5/5/2011 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Blueheron
What is the number of the convatec bag with a filter that you use?

Dan
Posted 5/5/2011 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
i went ahead and aput a sure seal over my filter, as a precaution! when my hollister filters would start to give out on me when it was time for a change, if i didn't have time right then, i would roll up a piece of toilet paper and put it over the filter then tape it down with lots of tape, soaked up the output and gave me a day or at least a few hours so i could change when i had time, not in a rush.
Posted 5/5/2011 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
Dan-

The ones I am sampling right now with filters are: 411311. They are opaque with the two-sided comfort panel (white fabric-like stuff) and an Invisiclose tail.

I may switch to the opaque filter-less: 413335. These have only one side of fabric (towards the body)with an Invisiclose tail.
Posted 5/5/2011 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Blueheron

The bag that I use is convatec 411265. I wonder if the convatec filters are all the same. What is the diameter of yours? Mine is one inch diameter, covered with plastic on the outside with just a small hole in the center. The inside is a white fabric.

Dan

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