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Filters and how they work

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Posted 11/23/2007 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
Tell me about them, please!

Post Edited (Ash83) : 2/9/2008 4:50:06 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/23/2007 7:47 AM (GMT 0)
Ash,
The bags I use from Coloplast have a filter, but I have no idea what they do. I'm sure someone on here will know. I've never used the stickers before, but I save them, just in case I ever have a garage sale someday and need to use them as price stickers. tongue
Posted 11/23/2007 10:25 AM (GMT 0)
The filters are designed to let excess gas out of the bag (without the odour). For ileostomates, they work well for the first few hours! The big problem being that if your output is liquid, as in an ileostomy (and some colostomies), the output tends to clog up the filter after the first night (while you're lieing down - or sometimes even sooner) rendering the filter useless!

They're not a hassle at all, they just don't work after they get clogged lol  They make no difference whatsoever to weartime, etc

They tend to work better for colostomates whose output isn't as watery.

The little stickers that come with it are supposed to be used during showers, swimming etc. You're supposed to put them over the filter hole so it doesn't get wet, and thus, clogged up.

 

Posted 11/23/2007 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
If you don't use the stickers, and your stool is watery, it can also leak out of the filters. I also asked for samples without filters and they sent filters. I think they make the same pouch without filters, I'm looking into that this week for my next order, if not, I won't order them.

I've tried a couple different samples now of the pouches with the velcro bottom. Has anyone else had problems with leakage from around the velcro closure? Every time I try one, I have leakage, not alot, but enough that I can see it on my white panties (ewwww). I don't have leakage with the clip, but I hate using a hard clip. It looks like I'll have to stay with my old closed end pouches, at least I know they won't leak and won't dig into me.

Any thoughts?
Posted 11/23/2007 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Judy, I use SALTS appliances they have velcro at the bottom but have 2 sticky bits that close over at the ends. I find this better than the one that folds over and then sticks. I always had slight leakage with that one but so far i have had none with the 2 bits.
Posted 11/23/2007 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Ash,
I knew someone would be able to explain how those filters work! :-) Thanks, Shaz!

Judy,
I use a two piece appliance with a velcro opening at the bottom of the pouch. I get 7 days wear time out of the wafer, but only 3-4 days use out of the pouch due to leakage around the velcro opening, so I just put on a new pouch when that starts to happen.
Posted 11/23/2007 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
OK, I am an idiot! I thought these stickers were for me to write the date that I changed my wafer and pouch on top of and then place the sticker under my pouch. That way, my pouch is marked with the date I chaged it - just incase I forget. I kept getting annoyed that these stickers would not stay put for very long. Now I know that the stickers are not the problem...I it just me having another "blond moment."
Posted 11/24/2007 2:15 AM (GMT 0)

Ash said...

So when the filter does get wet, or clogged, the bag will just fill up with air like it typically would do for a bag with no filter?

Absolutely! The paste like consistency will probably still end up clogging the filter tho but you may have some luck with them. No company has actually come up with a filter that works really well for ileos... yet!

Ash also said...

When the filter expels the air from the bag, does it make noise?

Not at all. It just stops the bag from getting full of gas without any noise whatsoever.

lol Amey, I love it. :)  Maybe you should suggest to the company that they provide something like this?  :)

Judy, I use Coloplast bags with the velcro and find that as long as I clean the end really well, nothing seeps out of the end especially since you can turn the end up and tuck it into the cloth covering the bag. I've heard complaints about the Hollister velcro bags and from what I can work out, it's because the velcro is placed differently in them to the Coloplast bags, making them harder to clean?

Posted 11/25/2007 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Amey that actaully sounds liek a good idea, lol
Mine have those filters and they work, like everyone says, for the first couple of hours, but after that they are useless. I have never used the stickers, i figure it's already clogged up, no need to put the sticker over it!
i have the velcro ones, and i dont usually have leakage, unless the plastic on it tears, which seems to be more my problem than anything.
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