$25 per bag change, there's GOT to be a better way!

[Shamrock4806]

Holy cow ostomy supplies are not cheap.

A fortune is more like it. I've resorted to a shower every other day along with a new bag. Because three days I stink bad and the bag is really nasty as well.

If I could make the wafer last 5 days I would switch to a two piece and take daily showers with the bag off. But I can't get them to last more than 3 days due to a belly fold.

So instead of taking two showers on day three I just resorted to every other day for everything. Leak burns are smaller than with a 3 day schedule as well.

I wish I could find a longer lasting wafer, but my changing weight causes slight belly fold changes that paste works best for me.

So anyway any suggestions?

[GeorgeS]

I'm on day two of testing the SenSura® Mio Flex Barrier. Quite different from the usual snap on or click lock flanges. The pouch is similar, but tapes onto the flange.
So far, no odor! Usually, I smell it within twelve hours.

I'm not sure of the cost. I don't know how anyone could afford our supplies without insurance.

[BillGK]

I’ve been using adhesive coupling for many years and love it. So much more secure than things that go (or pretend to go) snap. And minimal bulging under clothing. Amazon prices are less than $10/change (I have insurance so I don’t use Amazon).

[sandys]

RE: Odor

If you aren’t using an in-pouch, liquid deodorant like Hollister M9 you should try it. For me it totally eliminates all odor.

[Shamrock4806]

Okay I have just catastrophic insurance, $7000 deductible and hardly use it or see a doctor or anything now.

I use a one piece because of the 2+ day wafer cycle. I might get in a morning shower on day three but usually by the night I have to change the wafer anyway. So I've just switched to a 2 day shower and bag change cycle.

So I thought about using the insurance, just to lower the deductible if I should ever use it, but I haven't had a need to see the doctor for anything. Nothing is bothering me currently. Plus I had such bad experience going through insurance before with delayed or not completely filled orders, so I switched to paid ordering which only once I've had a slight delay.

And far as using expensive drops, I just gently water rinse the bag out a few times and add some cheap Dollar Store toothpaste and she's good to go.

I have a bottle of the M9 drops and really never use it because it can't get to the top of the bag to do any good.

Rinsing works, toothpaste works and I can get it locally.

I use oil free eye makeup remover for an adhesive remover as well because it's a liquid I can easily pour and soak around the stoma to thoroughly clean the skin.

Still with all that it's still costing me $12.50 a day or $4600 a year just for the ostomy supplies.

I've heard horror stories about ordering the stuff off Amazon, like sending precut wafers and leaky bags.