HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Keeping the bag on.

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/21/2013 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
I am having such a hard time keeping my Grams bag on seeing its below her belly button. It stays 1/2 hour and all of a sudden it floods. Her skin is raw so nothing sticks. I have tried so many bags and seals,paste it's get well then forget it. It gets like chop meat. She has a nurse come 2X a week but that doesn't help nights and weekends. She is 79 and she spends more time in the bathroom and washing clothes. Any ideas??? please
Posted 4/21/2013 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
I've had some issues. The sure seal tape helps. There's another one by Coloplast called Brava elastic barrier strips. Both are c shaped strips of tape that set pretty hard and seal well.

People here also recommended benzoin tincture compound. I ordered some online but just got it and haven't used it yet. Anxious to see how it works - a lot of people swear by it.

Is she staying still for a while after a bag change? Using a hearing pad or blow dryer?

I'm still pretty new to this, so I'm sure others have other ideas ...

Good luck.

Alison
Posted 4/22/2013 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Murel, so sorry your grams having problems. I agree you have to dry the area as much as possible before the wafer goes on. A hair dryer may be useful if it hard to dry the area. Also make sure you're using a ring or paste and to put pressure on the wafer until it sets. Is the nurse an ostomy specialist? I would call ASAP and have them look at your gram because they can give you tips and maybe try some different wafers until you find the right fit. Good luck and hope she finds the right fit soon.
Posted 4/22/2013 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much. I use a heating pad, blow dryer and a fan. I heat a wash cloth in a baggie in the microwave. I use a ring, paste and sometimes make one out of the ring to fit. It just seems I can't get it to stop running long enough to get something on. The fistula is hooked to her stomach so all that acid running is just scorching her skin. It is far into her skin so its hard to find a wafer to fit right.
Thanks for any help, this is going on a 1 year 1/2.
Posted 4/22/2013 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Murel that is so tough on your Grandmother and you as well.

Sounds like you are sure trying real hard here. Do you have access to a WOCN. They are more trained and specialize where most nurses aren't as up to date on other things to do and try. That may really be the key to figure out a better way for you to help her?
Posted 4/22/2013 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
WOCN = Stoma nurse, am I right? Anyway, I agree, seek out a stoma nurse. What about dealing with the fistula itself? Not having had fistulas myself, I don't really feel like I know enough about them to comment, but I do know there are both medical and surgical treatments for them. A drug called Remicade can close up fistulas for example. But you'd need to talk to a GI or a colorectal surgeon, assuming you haven't done so already.

Also, for stomas sunk into the skin, there is a type of wafer for them called convex wafers, but tbh you probably know that already. I'm only mentioning it just in case :-/

I hope you can get help soon. It doesn't seem right you should be struggling with this virtually alone. Best of luck.
Posted 4/23/2013 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, yes she has a stoma nurse 2x a week but between is when it seems like it all goes haywire. We did the shots almost 300 of them it closed then it burst open.

I can't say what goes on when I'm not there, I don't know how much she eats or drinks.

She was suppose to have surgery but she has alot of heart issues and other health issues they are not thinking she can make it, so this is it and I pray everyday she gets better.
Posted 4/23/2013 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
I hope things can get better...at 79 it is tough enough.

I bet it is challenging at times even for a seasoned "ostomate" veteran at that age, but having to be new at it at that age is difficult to say the least.

{{{Hugs}}}

Also you are a good granddaughter trying to be there and be a help for her too. You will not regret this even though I am sure it is not easy for you.
Posted 4/23/2013 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Just to be clear, most visiting nurses are NOT WOCNs (ostomy nurses), although they are usually basically capable of dealing with bag and appliance changes. If your visiting nurse is not a real WOCN you might be able to visit one at a nearby hospital. They are the real experts who know all the different brands, products, and techniques inside and out.
Posted 4/24/2013 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
PSUDOC
Do you have the Benzoin swabs or in a bottle?

Murel
Is your gram's stoma retracted or does it stick out? If it is retracted a convex wafer may help. However, (here I go again) you need to try Friar's Balsam Compound. It is available in the US as swabs. Clean the stoma and wafer area with only water and paper towel pieces. No soap no powders. Apply Friar's and dry. It will be sticky. Friar's is a first aid product and helps healing. On open skin it will burn for a few seconds.

order from WWW.ALLEGROMEDICAL.COM.
PRODUCT NUMBER 560209

Dan
Posted 4/24/2013 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Dan, I have the swabs. Just started using them but not sure it's helping me - my issue is that the wafer top ends up in the curve of my belly button :( The Coloplast elastic barrier strips seem to help though.
Posted 4/25/2013 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
PSUDOC
What is your routine when changing your wafer? Soap? Powder?

Dan
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply