Thank you! And a request for stoma cap info

[Bklynbabe]

Thank you all for maintaining this message board. I’m a new ostomate 8 weeks post an APR with permanent colostomy. I knew I wanted to try irrigating before I even was scheduled for surgery and I’m so happy with how it’s turning out! My ostomy nurse mentioned it to me when she was marking me for the surgery and another was great about teaching me last week so I was lucky to have support there. My doc was also very supportive. I’m using lots of tips from this board to make it work for me. Already I’ve gotten 24 hours easily every time I irrigated. I’m so happy! I haven’t had any real trouble yet, but I feel prepared for whatever comes from reading the many posts here.

I was planning to wait on using stoma caps, but I had some skin irritation from some adhesive remover I tried out the second day and decided to take the plunge. I’m still recovering from surgery so I’m home from work and can easily make a change if I need to. Which brings me to my question. I got some one piece Convatec stoma caps from Byram and they are working, but kind of plasticky. I have a sample from coloplast which seems similar. I’d like one that’s more breathable for my skin during this summer heat. Any suggestions or brand reviews? I like the filter as I’m still learning what I can comfortably eat and have a fair amount of gas at times. Also I’m planning to swim a few times a week. I know I may end up using a mix of things depending on whether im planning to swim or not and that’s ok too. I’m not quite ready for the homemade bandaid solution yet, but it sounds like a possibility for the future if I continue to have consistent success.

Thanks again for maintaining such an easily accessible online presence and for any help you can give me now.

[sassie]

hollister has a stoma cap that has a filter, ... also convatec has a nice stoma cap with filter and there's you can cut to the size of your stoma where hollister's is kinda one size for all... Happy to hear your doing so well, hope you keep reading here and helping others ,even after your on a total road to success...

sassie

[Bklynbabe]

thanks sassie!

[ot dave]

Glad to hear that the irrigation is working out for you. It's always good to get some control back over your own body!
For me, I use the Hollister New Image 2 piece line of appliances. I have good results with irrigation, but never perfect, so I continue to wear a pouch throughout the day. That said, a one piece system would be very difficult for me to use, so that is why I use the 2 piece system.
As I said, I wear a drainable pouch throughout the day that has a filter. When you don't have a lot of output (thanks to irrigation), the filter works really well. At night, before I go to bed, I change into a mini closed pouch that also is filtered (they also make mini drainables as well). The mini closed pouch is free from the stiff Velcro closure, and it doesn't get wrapped up on the sheets either. Plus, it is small and out of the way for intimate times with the spouse.
In the morning, I remove the mini pouch, attach the irrigation sleeve, and irrigate. After irrigation, I attach a standard drainable pouch and go about my day. The mini pouch is very small, and is essentially a stoma cap, but with a little more room. The plastic is a little bulky, but well worth the versatility...at least for me. I swim in this appliance without any issues.
Another benefit of using a 2 piece system is that it is easier on your skin. Plus, with successful irrigation, you don't have to change the flange as often. I go a week in between flange changes, but I've also read some folks that can stretch it out to 10 days.
Hope that helps some.

David

[Bklynbabe]

Thanks ot Dave! I was planning to use a two piece when I started as I was happy with the mio sensura flex 2 piece before I decided to irrigate and thought I’d want the security. But, I’d tried a new adhesive remover wipe at my last change and had a skin reaction at the edge of the wafer. So, I irrigated without a wafer and thought I’d put on a cap I got as a sample because it fits inside the area of irritation and use it only until I felt some output. Lo and behold, I went a full 24 hours without any. So I decided to keep using the cap and see how it goes. So far so good. I like the super low profile and having less pressure at my waist. I’m going to try the Hollister cap and have asked cymed for samples too. But, they haven’t gotten back to me yet. I may call them instead of trying online. I’m just wondering if there are other options to try out. I looked at the ampatch line and the number of choices seems baffling!

[ot dave]

But, I’d tried a new adhesive remover wipe at my last change and had a skin reaction at the edge of the wafer

Reactions only at the edge of the flange may be due to sheer/friction between the skin and the adhesive. When I tried to use a tape collared flange, I would get those too. The adhesive was so good that it didn't allow my skin to "slide" back and forth under the flange, causing a blister that became an irritation. If you are using tape collars, that might have been the culprit. I can only use the hydrocolloid flanges as they do not cause those issues for me.
If you can go 24 hours and only need the stoma cap, then go for it! I believe in trying it out. If it works, great. If not, you try something else. Ostomies and how they work for each of us is unique and individual. I'm glad that you are finding out what works for you.

David

[Bklynbabe]

I wondered why my skin was red And itchy only at the edge of the wafer. Thanks for the info.

[Mikem]

Welcome to our community but sorry you had to join.

It is good to hear you have done all the research and are looking forward to success.

Based on your questions I will recommend alternatives that are single use one piece options. They are low profile unlike any of the two piece solutions.

The first is Ampatch by Austin Medical Supply. You should be able to find it with an internet search.

The second is; in spite of your concern, a regular large bandage, ~3" x 5" with some folded toilet tissue and possibly with a charcoal filter.

Breathability and adhesive qualities are selectable.

And finally for the ultimate in Do-It-Yourself patches, 3M Micropore Surgical tape with a homemade absorbent pad of folded tissue and charcoal cloth or pad. Which I would believe might be the easiest for the skin.

Those and the ones produce by the major manufacturers should meet your needs. They also provide a selectable range depending on what your day will be like.

Good Luck

MikeM

[Bklynbabe]

Thanks mikem! I actually decided to try the bandaid for swimming this week. We shall see how it goes! I’m unclear about how breathable (gas) a waterproof bandaid will be, it I guess I’ll learn today. I’ve read about the Ampatch. When I looked it up there seemed to be many options, but I’ll probably just close my eyes and choose on to see what I think unless you have a suggestion? I assume ill have a code Brown at some time, but I’m willing to take the chance for now.

[VaAnne]

Maybe answering a bit late - but I have used the Hollister 1796 (Contour I) stoma cap for years, or at least until my recent difficulties as posted above. The 1796 has a very effective filter and I never have any skin irritation with it. In hot humid weather, or if exercising a lot, the adhesive does seem to loosen and may not hold for a full day; in cold weather it is no problem. I usually use Smith and Nephew Unis-Solve wipes to clean the residue off my skin. then rinse with plain water before attaching a new cap. Sold in boxes of 30.