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Posted 3/31/2012 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
I've tried Coloplast, Convatech, and Hollister... and I feel like none of their filters work. What are they even supposed to do? They sure don't seem to let air out like they're supposed to.
Posted 3/31/2012 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Filters don't generally work for ileostomies. They get clogged due to the liquid output. They are better suited to colostomies.

For the air issue, just carefully "burp" the bag. Be sure that it is just air, and not output, and open the bag at the top just a bit to release the air and then re-close it.
Posted 3/31/2012 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
     I was wondering about this myself Theresa rolleyes .  I've been using the Coloplast Sensura one piece bags now since two Hollister bags broke on me...ugh, what a mess!  I have wonderful luck with Coloplast, but for the life of me, I don't know why they even put that filter in there.  By the end of the first day, it is full of poop! 
Posted 3/31/2012 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I was always wondering how you burp a one-piece bag. The only way I could do it was just to empty it as usual.
Posted 3/31/2012 4:16 PM (GMT 0)

mom2panda said...
Filters don't generally work for ileostomies. They get clogged due to the liquid output. They are better suited to colostomies.

For the air issue, just carefully "burp" the bag. Be sure that it is just air, and not output, and open the bag at the top just a bit to release the air and then re-close it.

Ah, the wonderful smell of BLEURGH.
Posted 3/31/2012 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
B'Dereh
There is a stick on vent for one piece pouches called EZvent. You manually open the vent to let out gas. IT DOES NOT HELP WITH THE SMELL! Pretty easy to use. Your supplier should have them available.

Dan
Posted 3/31/2012 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
     Dan...they sent me some but for the life of me, I cannot figure out how those things attach!  Won't they put a hole in the bag?
Posted 3/31/2012 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
You clean an area at the top of the bag with 91% alcohol. When it is dry you stick the vent on. Then from the inside of the bag you cut an opening in the bag at the hole in the vent. Snap the cap on and you are done. Just open the vent to burp. It is a one time use. It will not come off. When I used them I never had a failure.

Dan
Posted 3/31/2012 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
my output likes to kind of rest in/clog up the ring that seals the wafer to the bag... I'll tack on a box of those EZvents to my order.

I'm getting lots of new things ;D I'm excited. EZvents, Karaya powder (badly needed!) and a belt.
Posted 4/1/2012 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
Just fyi, I didn't like the EZ vents (a lot of people do). I think it has to do w/my stoma location, but I would knock them open (and I pressed very hard to close). I had a leak when I was at a party, not fun at all, had a big spot on my shirt before I noticed....

I don't get that much air/gas, so I'm fine w/a one piece.

Agree that the filters are useless for ileos....
Posted 4/1/2012 8:29 PM (GMT 0)
They are useless! And I always ended up with them leaking a bit after about 5 days, so I started covering them with a sure seal, and raised my wear time up to 7 days.
As for burping it, after a huge disaster, I just empty.
Posted 4/1/2012 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
I think I am the only person who doesn't have an issue with filters...I change my pouch every two days and cover the filter (on the outside) with a little piece of sure seal smilewinkgrin so it doesn't leak.

They don't work when you are lying down (needs gravity from what I can figure) but should continue working after you get up and empty.
Posted 4/3/2012 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
blueglass
How did you knock an EZvent open?

EQ mom
I am the other person that does not have an issue with filters. I wear convatec two piece and change the bag every 2 or 3 days. I only cover it to shower. It has never leaked. If you cover the filter with sure seal how does it vent?

The problem I have with a filter is that I regularly forget to remove the cover after showering. I remember when I find I have a big balloon on my abdomen.

Dan

Post Edited (polishdan) : 4/3/2012 10:22:21 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/3/2012 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Dan, really not sure, but I just know that it happened several times. I suspect it was rubbing on my pants in a particular way (or maybe from pulling pants up or down?) and is related to stoma location. I was very careful to close it tight, but I still would open it up every once in a while (maybe once every 3 pouch changes w/them on.... enough to make them not worth it for me).
Posted 4/3/2012 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Sure Seals are waterproof AND breathable turn
Posted 4/3/2012 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
alright, what are these sure seals everyone speaks of? Off to google!
Posted 4/3/2012 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
The sure seals are made of stuff that's like the tegaderm that they use on IV's at the hospital -- it's sort of like saran wrap, but sticky on one side and breathable. They are great -- help keep the wafer down, contain leaks if they happen, and are waterproof. The company site is here http://www.alpglobal.com/, but you might get samples faster from a distributor like edgepark. Get the square ones; the round ones are too small for a grown up. You can cut them as you need to.
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