Hi,
I'm a T5 paraplegic wheelchair user and after about 12 years of manual evacuation, two and a half years ago in Nov 2008 after many issues with my bowels, decided to have a colostomy fitted as my friend (also a w/c user) had told me how easy it had made his life. He was irrigating with 1.5l of water every other day and explained that he was clean and empty for the two days varying on how much he had eaten, before his next irrigation but was able to fix his irrigation sleeve to his flange to choose how often he washed out. I chose to irrigate as I thought that it was supposed to clean you out and not cause you to leak later in the day however, I am leaking lots. My skin is getting sore as despite the adhesive remover supplied, pulling on/off flanges twice/three times a day is making the area red and irritated. I have to put the irrigation sleeve in hot water to make the ring on the sleeve which attaches to the flange pliable to fit and even then have to get my fingers behind to force it on to this flange as there is not much play on it. Subsequently, I am having to use a new flange each time as it is not possible to attach the sleeve to the already stuck flange as without stomach muscles have very few muscles to push against it. Once fitted, cannot see in the mirror to fit the flange snuggly over my stoma as the sleeve obstructs my view. Thus, instead of being tightly fitted around the stoma site, my flange is all cock eyed and over the edge of my skin (which I can only see after irrigating with this 1.5l water and removing the sleeve) meaning if it is not properly sited, I need to change it or my surrounding skin will become red and sore. Since the aforementioned date, I have not been a full 3 weeks without either my colostomy flange having fluid seep under one edge (a common problem) causing me to be dirty, bag falling off, or my bag bursting.
What I really need is the system which my friend has. He has coloplast which can be attached via a similar system to the 'tupperware' fixing and he is able to attach/remove the two piece colostomy sleeve/bag from the flange without removing this which is stuck to his skin. At present I am having to replace at least twice daily and as they only come in packs of 10. am going through more than my fair share, approx a box per 3 days! Unfortunately the system he uses has 'Mefix' around the circlular flange (making it square) which ecourages it to stick and I am allergic. It comes from the U.S.A. and as I am in the UK my colostomy nurse informs me this is not available? She has also informed me I need a concave base.
Can anyone suggest a concave flange to which I can attach a bag/irrigation sleeve easily and a reason why I would be leaking excess amounts of fluid during the day as this is becoming RIDICULOUS, having accidents daily and I am at the end of my tether and just want this to be controlled, as am afraid to go out.
Be glad of any assistance,
Help,
Thanks,
Sam