Help with leaks

[Punkinnae]

Ok guys and gals.... I was doing so well for a few months and have now had three leaks in a week! Like what gives? I have noticed that my output starts to irritate me. I change my bag every 3-4 days and use a Coloplast seal . Any suggestions? I checked the bags I’ve been using and they seem ok... I a. Just at a loss. I did see quite a few postings on eakin seals being the best. Any help would be appreciated!!!

[doreejill61]

I have found that warming my water with the blow dryer has really helped. I can't remember the last time I had a leak. I have a colostomy. Are you using plenty of skin prep

[Punkinnae]

I am using skin barrier spray and powder now due to skin issues. I do warm my wafer with a beating of once it is all in place. I have noticed that maybe I need to change the bag more often... although I hate to admit this. Upon further inspection this past 4 days I noticed:
Stinging and burning returned late yesterday and this AM when I changed the wafer was disintegrated and output was in my right side soon to be a leak. In the beginning I changed bag twice a week but now it looks like maybe I need to 3 times a week? I did order a sample of the hollister eakin ring to see if it works better than the coloplast one. People say it is the gold standard of the rings. We shall see. Just wonder why mine ar sneaking down now more quickly.

[Punkinnae]

Oops ... warm it with a heating pad... typo

[niteseer]

My favorite all time seal enhancer is Montreal Ostomy Strips. I shape them around the inner edge of my wafer before applying. They have been the most resistant to erosion of any I have found. And within minutes after application, they made a strong bond with my skin. They can actually be difficult to remove, if for some reason I need to get one off earlier than usual. I've always said, that you don't apply one, you start a relationship with one. The good part, though, is that the strips need just gentle pressure to remove.........no adhesive remover required, and no gummy residue left behind, which is what happened when the other strips melted.

I had started having early failures again, and I was afraid my strips were failing me; I was having erosion at the side of my stoma where it is most retracted. I had been putting one whole strip shaped around the inner edge of the wafer, plus an extra 1/3 of a strip to make the wafer more concave at the problem spot. One day, I decided to do the exact opposite, and put the extra thickness on the highest side of my stoma. This pushed the "good" side down lower, and made it more equal to the flatter side. And, it worked. No longer was the higher side pushing output always onto the lower side. Instead, the output was aimed directly into the pouch. Now I get wear times of 5 to 9 days.

I just discovered that my medical supply company no longer carries these strips. I need to find out if they are still being produced, and if so, how to get hold of more. I really don't want to have to go through the whole wearying process to test drive other strips. *sigh*

[Mysticobra]

Oops ... warm it with a heating pad... typo

I sit for 5-10 minutes with a heating pad after a change every time.
I've done it since I started over two and a half years ago. Seems to be a step in the process that works so I keep doing it.
I use a pre cut moldable wafer. They work very well in my experience so far.
Molds to my body and all the imperfections there.
I also use the stick part of a q tip (broken in half) to push gently around the stoma before sticking the bag on. Pushes the wafer down on the skin where your most likely to get a leak. I don't know if it will be any help to you but it's part of the process I use and I don't have any leaks. Knock on wood. Lol. I've been fortunate. Not to have to deal with a system that does not work. Sure does make a bad situation much better. We don't need problems on top of what we have already had to go through to get to this point.
Good luck. I hope you can find something that works.
Richard.

[Taff]

I use Sensura Mio drainable by Coloplast for my colostomy, even tough it's an ileostomy bag. Because my skin has become very thin and weak since chemo, I change bags every day, sometimes two or three times depending on output or body positioning causing pancaking. I use removal spray and clean with hot water, then a vitamin infused cleansing wipe, also by Coloplast.

I dry the skin with a tissue or dry wipe, very gently, dabbing, while blowing on the skin, until my skin is smooth to the touch. indicating dryness. I then apply the bag and hold my hand over it for about a minute.

Although I use the drainable bags, I generally don't bother with emptying any more and simply change bags. They're actually designed as ileostomy bags but I've always used them for my colostomy.

I have a mucous fistula as well, for which I use a 'select minuet plus' cap by Pelican, which moulds to body curves/hollows really well. Again, changed daily.

I have no problems with leaks and my skin is really healthy. Any sort of barrier spray or wipe causes immediate skin breakdown, so I don't use them and I don't need to use any stomahesive or suchlike, even though I've got a few dips/hollows.

Changing a bag is much quicker than emptying and cleaning and because I live in the UK and get stuff on prescription, I've no problem with ordering sufficient supplies for my needs, which for me, are free. So I've no need to join the competition to see how long I can wear a bag for. I realise not everybody is so lucky but for me, changing daily is the path to healthy skin and no leaks.

[Sanzibar3]

As a new ostomy patient, I was having a terrible time with leaks. Now I'm sorted out to where my bag will last seven days or more. Firstly, i gave up on the wafer. It seemed to do nothing but rot. I also switched to a convex bag, which I think helps funnel the output outward and down. With the fold-over velcro closure as well. Plus I will use Brava elastic barrier strips I get from Amazon, and peanut oil to lubricate the bag. After applying a new bag, I hold warm pressure on it for several minutes. And lastly, trying not to have tight clothing at all over the bag. A challenge whenever I have to wear pants. I hope someone finds these tips helpful.

[bob1951]

I was getting leaks because my stoma opening moved to the side, the ET nurse told me to use these,Convatec moldable skin barrier flange,404593, when you put it on it pushes the stoma out,you roll back to the size you want, I also put the Hollister adept barrier rings around the wafer opening before I put it on, I don't use the whole ring, I cut a piece and cut in half, 7805, I also use the Convatec pouch 401934.

[WahWah]

Hi,
I just left the hospital yesterday, after a colostomy and minimal training/supplies. Everything was fine in the hospital; I changed my bag twice, and had no leaks, etc.
However, in the car ride home (and after stopping to pick up Rx, etc), I experienced my first leak. I think maybe my pants? Or the seatbelt? May have rubbed up against it and caused the bottom of the wafer/seal to leak (if I use wrong terminology, please correct me, as I'm a total novice to this all). As I had to wait a couple of hours for my Rx's, of course something was in my bag when this occurred. I felt totally overwhelmed and disgusted, and proceeded to change my bag as I've been taught .
I thought I had a good seal, but it happened again, in the same area at the bottom of the wafer, again. I've been sobbing uncontrollably all day since it occurred (and after I changed it of course), as the output is liquid, and frankly intolerable.
Now I'm thinking that perhaps it is not the seal, but the area where it leaked...both times at the bottom where it creeps under my big abdominal fold.
Emotionally, I'm sure I'll get through this, but physically?? NOT going through another gut-wrenching (pun intended) surgery as July 15th marks my third year of being diagnosed with metastatic endometrial cancer.
Does anyone think this may possibly be the placement? There's no way to reposition the wafer, except diagonally, which I bet would cause immediate leakage and massive pressure on the lower edge of wafer. Also, that's why I'm thinking maybe placement...as that is where there's pressure. The seal seems as good ad it was in the hospital, but I'm moving around more now.
Any suggestions, ideas, etc., would be deeply appreciated.
~~WahWah

[Sanzibar3]

So sorry to hear this. It is indeed very upsetting this I know. I had a lot of leaks the first couple months too. What helped was switching to a one-piece convex bag, with Brava elastic barrier strips, and a healthy amount of peanut oil to lube the bag. I only wear pants when out and about, for the shortest time possible. Otherwise I let it hang free and wear skirts and dresses as I may. And frankly, I am commando most of the time. Hope this helps!

[Rchodos1]

Are you using an oil based soap on change day? If you are that is a no, no . Try a dial or ivory type soap. I use a product called #3-M my cavelon. Just a suggestion. Best of luck.

[SweetPea04]

I am so glad I found this post! It’s a year after your post. I just had the same exact problem. I have had a urostomy for 15 years and that had a slight retraction within the first year after surgery. I used a Convatec 2 pouch system with a tapeless barrier because I am allergic to the tape on barriers. I also used a convex insert. All was well for 14 years and last year I suddenly had a few more leaks than normal. Not many, but I panicked and decided to try another brand. I first tried Coloplast Assura one piece with convex pouches and they leaked, then I started using Coloplast Sensura Mio Convex one piece pouches six months after that.Now, each month my leaking is increasing. Last week I had to change my pouch four times. My skin was a total mess etc. This has NEVER been a problem with me, not like this. I called Coloplast last week. The representative asked me is it leaking right where the oval part is on the front. I said yes. Then he pretty much suggested it was my stoma, my body, but tried to help. Today I saw my uro, yes the stoma is slightly retracted a little bit more but not terribly so. But funnily enough when I tried my old Convatec pouches with an Eakins seal behind it, no leaking at all for a week now! I’m starting to think that in the last year Coloplast must have produced some bad batches of the Sensura Mio. The Assura Convex is similar to the Mio in construction so maybe those were bad too. Strange how the rep knew exactly what I was talking about, he definitely had dealt with the leaking Convex Mios question before! I’m now sticking with my original Convatec pouches and will see an enterostomal nurse just to double check, but my uro thinks it’s the Coloplast pouches that were the leaking issue not me! I mean this really had me so upset, literally to the point of discussing fixing my stoma via surgery with my uro, then he says it sounds like their product not you!

[Diane C]

Never heard of Montreal Ostomy Strips but did a Google Search and this popped up: https://www.vitalitymedical.com/osto-st ... yIQAvD_BwE Is this what you mean? Montreal Ostomy Osto-strips? They LOOK similar to Convatec's Stomahesive Strips which I've worn with a colostomy and now ileostomy with much success. They seem to be helping me where my skin dips in over a scar on both sides of my stoma. I use a small amount but build it up with several layers. My skin reacts to paper tape and other materials so I also save the the Durahesive material from the hole on the wafer when I cut it out and also use that -- peeling away the plastic paper from the Convatec Durahesive wafer.

I've wanted to switch from Convatec but for various reasons, still use it. The manufacturing rep is also understanding, calls often, sends samples. I'm going to order the high output pouches although do want to try the star-shaped Coloplast SenSura Mio Convex Flip which our webmaster first posted about. I haven't been able to order on my own while a home health nurse has been coming and she ordred the 1-piece. Will give it a try but want to order the 2-piece. https://www.coloplast.us/landing-pages/ ... ing_464881

I've also been using Convatec's Ease Strips to "square" off the wafer and usually they do a great job with much comfort. You can get a sample here: https://www.convatec.com/products/ostom ... b881a29e48

Good luck!

Diane C.

[Button]

My favorite all time seal enhancer is Montreal Ostomy Strips. I shape them around the inner edge of my wafer before applying. They have been the most resistant to erosion of any I have found.

Niteseer made frequent mention of Montreal Strips and gave them a highly favorable review. They are similar in formulation to ConvaTech Ekin adaptic rings. Niteseer used the strips to fill skin folds and creases, allowing for a smooth abdominal surface to then apply her wafer. She also used them to form an ad hoc adaptive ring around her stoma (rolling a strip like a rolling pin into a log and then wrapping it in a circle around her stoma).

Niteseer was a Queen of creativity in finding unique ways to problem-solve ostomy issues.
Karen