UOAA Discussion Board

What are your go-to/Must-have ostomy accessories that you cannot live without?

Looking for ideas on stuff that people use all the time. I have looked at things like ostomy wraps, covers but most seem $$$.

Also, what do people store their monthly supplies in within a small apartment?

Lastly, How many people with an Ileostomy keep something like a Camelbak with them at all times?

It is getting hot and I already ended up in the ER the other day to get rehydrated.

Feel free to add anything else that is your go to.

For a one piece, curved ostomy scissors are a must

I use a plastic storage bin, lid on top, for my ostomy supplies. I figure if a leak ever gets in the closet, my stuff is protected

Never even heard of a Camelbak. When I lived in Phoenix, people who didn't know I had an ileo still gave me early warnings about staying healthy in the sun. Any time I was by a store that sold bottled water, I bought and drank, even if not thirsty.

ileo73 wrote: 2022-07-02 09:02:06 For a one piece, curved ostomy scissors are a must

I use a plastic storage bin, lid on top, for my ostomy supplies. I figure if a leak ever gets in the closet, my stuff is protected

Never even heard of a Camelbak. When I lived in Phoenix, people who didn't know I had an ileo still gave me early warnings about staying healthy in the sun. Any time I was by a store that sold bottled water, I bought and drank, even if not thirsty.

Camelbak is just a name-brand hydration bag/backpack that holds 1-3L of water.

I do have a good set of curved ostomy scissors (Thanks Coloplast for them in my sample bag)

I like the Bin idea and I have a bunch of them. I keep my supplies in my very small pantry right now (Not much space for anything else.) I have a small apartment so not much room.

There are quite a few things that I have found on Amazon that I think would be worth having but money is tight due to this summer heat and needing AC.

I don't really have any accessories- just what I use all the time - pouch, faceplate, Eakin seal, clip, Stomahesive powder, adhesive remover that I rarely use....Since I am an old timer with an ostomy I didn't have anything extra available back in the day so I got used to what I use....and never saw a need for anything new....I am sort of set in my ways....

I keep one box of each item in a drawer in a bathroom cabinet and the rest of my supplies in a carton in the bottom of a closet.

As little as possible.
Wafers, pouches, scissors, paper towels, and irrigation supplies (bag, sleeves, clips).
I just got home from 5 weeks on the road; that's all I took. When traveling, I usually take about twice as many supplies as I would use at home in the same amount of time. I came home with lots of leftovers.

Storage is easier if you order more often. I keep the bulk of my supplies on a shelf in the bathroom closet, with a few in a basket where I use them.

steiconi wrote: 2022-07-02 21:44:55 ......Storage is easier if you order more often......

Back in the day - quite some time ago - I waited until I used my last set of pouch, faceplate etc. to reorder....sort of living on the edge, I guess. But over the years I became more conservative. Sometimes items were not available because of bad weather - hurricanes or whatever...plus I remember another poster saying he had trouble getting supplies when he went on Medicare. I really haven't had any problems except sometimes my doctor didn't get the fax the company sent and my order would be delayed. Plus I got constant emails that it's time to reorder. So now I ended up having a huge amount in reserve.....

Rehydration can be a real problem for someone with an ileostomy - I have ended up getting re-hydrated a couple of times myself. The problem with drinking a lot of water is that unless you sip it and take it in slowly a lot will just come out of the stoma. Here's what I do: I make my own re-hydration solution as the ones you can buy are expensive, don't taste very good (IMO) and often have added ingredients. You have to use sugar and salt and this is a recipe from WHO. Ingredients: Six (6) level teaspoons of Sugar. Half (1/2) level teaspoon of Salt. One Litre of clean drinking or boiled water and then cooled - equivalent to 5 cupfuls (each cup about 200 m)l. Actually I don't bother with boiling the water either. I'll sometimes make this with an Hibiscus tea bag. It is a bit of an acquired taste I admit, but you get used to it! As for the Camelback - I sometimes use something similar and this solution is what I put in it when I'm out on my bike or off hiking.

Hi flguy that solution GM described is called ORS ( oral rehydration solution ) i make that when i,m feeling really tired from my ilieo. having a stomach bug i also put a squirt of lemon concentrate in it for flavor.

My must have item is aerosol spray adhesive remover. Saves time and more importantly your skin. Its 15.00 on Amazon and it will last a long time.
tatly your skin!

Very good recommendations so far.

@Doree

I do get and use adhesive remover spray from my supplier.

@Garbled Modwit and @Ron In Mich

I use Gatorade as well as liquid IV now. I don't really care for the flavor of the Liquid IV but it does the job.

One big thing that I have been looking into is a shower cover as I seem to have issues with my barrier if I shower. I have been taking baths but trying to keep that area dry. I found a few covers online but some are $$$ and there is no review to speak of.

The last thing is, Do most of you keep an emergency kit with you. I am still at the stage where I take my whole kit with me everywhere and want to downsize what I carry around. (I have to have a bunch of other stuff due to urinary incontinence so it adds up fast)

My emergency kit has one faceplate, one pouch and one Eakin seal along with a plastic baggy for disposal. I always have a bottle of water and tissues with me. I once had to change after an unexpected - obviously - leak in a train station toilet - not a fancy one - in Japan. Another time I had to change in a very nice restroom which even had a sink in the Narita Airport in Japan - that was really nice.