Question for Sure Seal users...

I ordered my Sure Seal sample about three weeks ago and still haven't received it, but I can see what the nurse is saying because I am having issues with my Coloplast wafers for the same reason. Every time I go for a hike with the Coloplast where I sweat a lot, I get this heat rash looking stuff under the outer 1/2 inch perimeter of my wafer. It never happens if I am not active while using the Coloplast wafer so I know it isn't an allergy. I have recently changed to Convatec which has tape instead of plastic and they breathe soooo well. No bumps during exercise at all. I love them. However, I ordered a bunch of Coloplast right after surgery and I am still trying to use them up by using one every few wafer changes. Every time I use the Coloplast and exercise... those itchy bumps come back. I don't think my skin likes to sweat under plastic-like materials. I know Sure Seals are suppose to be breathable, but not sure if they are to the extent necessary for heavy exercise.

I plan to use Sure Seals (if I like them after getting the sample) sparingly. For example, on long days at the pool or water park, or for races etc. when I get back into running. Otherwise, my Convatec seem to currently stick fine for hour-long swims and all day hikes with no reinforcement (except for a strip of Medipore tape here and there when the outer part of the wafer peels up around the edges.

I can see how with your current leaking woes though, how you would want the extra confidence they provide. You may just have to stick to them when absolutely necessary.

Also, have you tried Convatec Durahesive? For me, the combo of tape and Durahesive material seems to stick so much better than Coloplast or Hollister which also might help with your leaking issues. When I have my Convatec on, I feel so much more confident exercising than with the other brands. You can get their Durahesive wafers in moldable, cut-to-fit, or pre-cut options. I use the cut-to-fit with an Eakin as the moldables don't work with my oval stoma. The nurses at Convatec are great and will talk you through all the options and send you any samples you need quickly.

I am meeting with my stoma nurse next week and will ask her about the Sure Seals. I will let you know if I find anything out.

First of all, the Sure Seals are BREATHABLE...as well as being waterproof and I have never experienced any problems with bad skin under the Sure Seal

I run A LOT and have only had issues with my wafer not sticking when I DID NOT wear my Sure Seal Lesson learned!

Just remember there is a learning curve when using them the first few times but you'll figure them out!!

I can agree with Nascar regarding Ostomy nurses, everything I was told in the hospital and the 1 time at home, was just the opposite for me. I learned everything on my own. And everyone's experience is different. Personally, I have always used the Convetec Durahesive moldables. It's so flexable and comfortable, I can do all my yoga tricks easily. about 4 months ago, I requested sure seal samples. It took over a month to receive. It was still winter, so wanted to use them because the more weight I gained back from surgery, the more predominant a dip was coming from my once open incision. So, I cut the sure seal in half and used only half on that side. It locked in leakage (always come from that dip), was unfortunately a bit harder to remove but used more adhesive remover and washed washed washed, it preformed to my expectations and really kept the wafer paper down, didn't cause skin/moisture irratation issues, and increased my weartime. Going to purchase some now, it's summer here and would love to finally to swimming! I'll see how it goes

I used to patch like summerstorm...now I trim my wafer and Sure Seal in my problem areas and the Sure Seal fits and performs better!

It took me about six months of using them to really get the performance I expected...but now I wouldn't go a day without them:) There really is a learning curve to them!!

Edgepark told me they couldn't send a sample. Actually, it wasn't the normal people I talk to there. A woman called me to follow up on my recent orders and see if I needed anything and I mentioned I was waiting for the sample and asked if they could get one for me. First she had no clue what they were even as I tried to explain it. I finally had to direct her to the manufacturer's website! Then she had to call me back about it and she eventually called back and said they couldn't sample them but my insurance would cover 80%. I decided it was worth a few bucks to try it out, especially as much as they seem to help a lot of you. Heck, if I knew it would mean running worry free---especially as I approach two hour long training runs this summer---I'd pay full price.

Ok, I officially love my Sure Seals. Yesterday I had a four mile training run in serious heat and humidity. I sweat like a beast! Then came home, showered, and headed out to an outdoor festival. Walked around there for five hours....more hot and humid weather and serious sweating! At one point my bag got more full than I normally like to let it while we were watching some bands. Oops! I just wasn't aware of it, I guess. Got home and found that I'd lost my seal at the bottom. I'm guessing from all the sweating all day long and then getting overfull. This would have been a huge mess, but the Sure Seal held it all in...not even close to leaking out on me or my clothes. It was also nice because I was able to take my time getting my supplies together for the change, too.

It was pretty tricky getting the first one on and I did have to trim it at the top and bottom to keep it away from my belly button and pubic skin area....so worth the effort though! I am definitely a believer!

I LOVE sureseals. I just did my first Olympic distance triathlon (surgery Aug '09) and the sureseals kept working when the out later of Hollister flange was sweated off.

I don't wear them all the time because they cost so much but man, they work every time I've worn them. I could see if you didn't change when you had the wafer(flange) having seepage? failure there could be nasty rash or fugus, but haven't experienced it.

So run4pancakes, you're a running. Do you race? What kind of distance do you like to run. I really need to focus on my running but don't have much motivation alone sometimes. I like running with friends. Even the treadmill if I can watch a movie at the same time. The weather is getting better these days so hoping to run outdoors more. My goal is to do a marathon again. Last one I was sooo sick I barely made it to the end. Probablyshould have quit and not tried to kill myself but I havenever thought of myself as a quitter. Would like to get back to running under 2 hours 1/2 marathons and work up.

Good luck to youin all your adventures!

Love sure seals!! Never had a problem with them!