Why do you change Ileostomy bags when you do?

Mikenh
Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member

There was a discussion on another board about when people change their bags and I was a bit surprised as a few people mentioned that they change them daily or every other day. Some here mentioned three days and I have been going with five days. The reason I change it at five days is that the bag loses its shape and becomes crinkly but I'd guess it would be good for another day or two but I understand that I'm pushing things with five. The WOC said that their standard at the hospital is to change them twice a week so 3/4 days.

Why do you change them when you do (and how often)?

Comments

  • aoccc2015
    aoccc2015 Member Posts: 37
    edited November 2017 #2
    Mine will have an itch on the

    Mine will have an itch on the wafer or sometimes on the 3rd day if i dont i just replace it anyway lol. It took me awhile to get the right system to make it go that long tho. I work and sweat and bendddd alot so im usually lucky to make it to a 3rd day. I used to dread changing it but a lil veggie oil or a good remover and there is nothing to it. I hope it is treating you well :)

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Ileostomy

    Mine had to be changed every three days.  Usually I'd cover it with plastic while taking a shower.  Sometimes people can go 5 days but mine couldn't.  No matter what the adhesive it just would start coming off and I'd had too many accidents to want to test it further. 

    Kim

  • lhduffer
    lhduffer Member Posts: 90 Member
    Changes

    I would typically do mine every 4th day and once in a while do 5 days.  As with Annabelle, I too would cover mine with plastic (Press and Seal) while showering.  On change day I would remove it and shower without it prior to replacement to give my skin a rest and to cleanse the skin well.  My WOCN felt 3 was the minimum I should shoot for as it can be tough on the skin removing the wafer frequently.  I used the Brava adhesive remover spray from Coloplast to make the wafer removal easier on my skin.

  • Cindy225
    Cindy225 Member Posts: 172 Member
    Bag Change

    Changed mine every three days. Didn't want to go much longer than that due to the adhesive starting to loosen. Would use a band aid or medical tape as extra pre-caution if necessary.  Also, changed frequently to air out the skin as others mentioned. Once an irritation starts around the stoma it's a battle to manage it.  When it did I put extra paste on the wafer to protect the skin while it healed.  

    Cindy

  • OzarkGal
    OzarkGal Member Posts: 41
    Barrier Rings

    I try to make it to 3 or 4 days with appliance.  I was having a terrible problem with leaks but found that Adapt Barrier Rings has worked.  It has been very difficult managing consistency of output because medications affects that.  I go through cycles of firm output and then watery output.  I don't have an ostomy nurse because there isn't one where I live. I have learned what I can online and youtube videos.

  • kim_dude
    kim_dude Member Posts: 7
    change cycle

    I can generally go 5 or 6 days between changes.  I use Hollister CeraPlus wafers and Coloplast Brava paste.  

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    I usually go 5 to 6 days and

    I usually go 5 to 6 days and have had one on as long as 9 days without leakage a few times. I've had mine for almost 4 years and have only had a couple of incidents. Mine is also very watery but it doesn't leak. They're expensive, I can't imagine changing it every day or two. The day I'm going to change it I have a nice, hot bath and let it soak then I change it after the bath.

    Sometimes I change it because it's starting to tingle which means it's starting to leak under the adhesive and burn my skin. I generally never have that happen before about day 5, though.

    Jan 

  • Nazareth
    Nazareth Member Posts: 88 Member
    JanJan63 said:

    I usually go 5 to 6 days and

    I usually go 5 to 6 days and have had one on as long as 9 days without leakage a few times. I've had mine for almost 4 years and have only had a couple of incidents. Mine is also very watery but it doesn't leak. They're expensive, I can't imagine changing it every day or two. The day I'm going to change it I have a nice, hot bath and let it soak then I change it after the bath.

    Sometimes I change it because it's starting to tingle which means it's starting to leak under the adhesive and burn my skin. I generally never have that happen before about day 5, though.

    Jan 

    Jan- you stated your output

    Jan- you stated your output it watery- Mine was too (I have iliostomy due to Crohn's and it creates watery output-) I tried metamucil, thinking it woudl make thigns worse- but lo and behold it bulked up the output nicely- almost formed at times (though sometimes the watery output happens even with it- but mostly not)- I take 2 heaping teaspoons in morning., afternoon and night just before bed- and what a difference it has made for me- couldn't beleive i hadn';t tried it sooner (had ostomy for nigh on 35 years now - and it's been watery and difficult to manage al lthat time)

     

    Oh and hte advantage is that in mornign when i change pouch (I still have to change every day- soem reason the pouche seal adhesives don't last very long on my skin- Even with using hollister medical adhesive- which only lasts good for abotu 1 day)- the output is formed almost now and not watery and unpredictable- so changes go much smoother now IF any does come out now- it's not gushing, and is formed and easy to capture with toilet paper and deal with (sorry for graphic description- but there's no real delicate4 way to put it really)

     

    Might be worth a try for you if you can take fiber?

  • Nazareth
    Nazareth Member Posts: 88 Member
    wish i could get more than a

    wish i could get more than a day- but i can't- output is formed mostly, but sometimes very watery too- , but i wash out contents with water- and apaprently it works under the seal- and works it's way under the seal about towards evening- in morning when i chang,e i find the liquid is working it's way toward outside of seal- Tried everything- eakin seals same issue- wish htere was an adhesive that would melt to the skin and seal it well- but there isn't for me- I used to use karaya pouches which sealed very well- the karaya woudl melt to skin and really bond well- but hollister began makign htem cheaper and had problems with htem falling apart so i was forced to switch to hydrocolloid pouches- which don't seal very well- but at least they make it for 24 hours ok

    I do take metamucil fiber to help bulk up the watery output- and it helps some, but havign to rinse pouch with water- that works it's way under seal after awhile too

    I also have a very tiny indentation- can't even hardly see it- but it's just enough that whn i bend, it causes the seal to lift off the skin right in that spot (it's not a large spot, about hte side of an erraser I guess) Hydrocolloids just don't seem to like to seal well to my skin I'm afraid- and the karaya pouches are out of the question now- unfortunately

    My skin is really good aroudn the stoma- nice and flat (except the little indent that has formed now)- and i rarely get irritated skin- but pouches just don't like my skin :(

  • Nazareth
    Nazareth Member Posts: 88 Member
    Cindy225 said:

    Bag Change

    Changed mine every three days. Didn't want to go much longer than that due to the adhesive starting to loosen. Would use a band aid or medical tape as extra pre-caution if necessary.  Also, changed frequently to air out the skin as others mentioned. Once an irritation starts around the stoma it's a battle to manage it.  When it did I put extra paste on the wafer to protect the skin while it healed.  

    Cindy

    Cindy- hollister has soem

    Cindy- hollister has soem pouches called Cera Plus which is used for broken irritated skin- suppsoed to work well at stickign to irritated weepy skin and heals well i guess- I just ordered a few samples- because every now and agaqin my skin gets irritated- ghere's also an expensive but effective (apparently) 'crazy glue' liek substance (medical grade of course) that can seal and heal the weepy skin nicely- it reacts with hte moisture of the weeping to form the seal-

     

    Here is link to it if you have frequent problems with skin- might be worth looking into for really difficult skin issues- but i think the Cera plus might work well too perhaps-- warnign photos of stoma and skin irritation that might be graphic to some- but it';s just the ostomy and skin showing so it's work safe)  https://www.medline.com/media/mkt/pdf/LIT038R-Milne-and-Trevellini-Periostomy-Poster.pdf

  • aoccc2015
    aoccc2015 Member Posts: 37
    edited December 2017 #12
    Add a sweet potatoe to you

    Add a sweet potatoe to you daily diet..i have crohns also and i am squeezing the next days bags out like the playdoh fun factory.

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    aoccc2015 said:

    Add a sweet potatoe to you

    Add a sweet potatoe to you daily diet..i have crohns also and i am squeezing the next days bags out like the playdoh fun factory.

    I just had one. Turns the bag

    I just had one. Turns the bag a nice orange color too. They are good for bulking up if yours is watery.

  • Nazareth
    Nazareth Member Posts: 88 Member
    not a big fan of sweet

    not a big fan of sweet potatos- but will try them- I don't dispise them but can eat them once in awhile- i guess i never paid attention to what they did to me- will have to try one to specifically see next time- thanks for hte suggestion- every little bit helps

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    edited December 2017 #15
    Nazareth said:

    Jan- you stated your output

    Jan- you stated your output it watery- Mine was too (I have iliostomy due to Crohn's and it creates watery output-) I tried metamucil, thinking it woudl make thigns worse- but lo and behold it bulked up the output nicely- almost formed at times (though sometimes the watery output happens even with it- but mostly not)- I take 2 heaping teaspoons in morning., afternoon and night just before bed- and what a difference it has made for me- couldn't beleive i hadn';t tried it sooner (had ostomy for nigh on 35 years now - and it's been watery and difficult to manage al lthat time)

     

    Oh and hte advantage is that in mornign when i change pouch (I still have to change every day- soem reason the pouche seal adhesives don't last very long on my skin- Even with using hollister medical adhesive- which only lasts good for abotu 1 day)- the output is formed almost now and not watery and unpredictable- so changes go much smoother now IF any does come out now- it's not gushing, and is formed and easy to capture with toilet paper and deal with (sorry for graphic description- but there's no real delicate4 way to put it really)

     

    Might be worth a try for you if you can take fiber?

    Thank you! I may try that. I

    Thank you! I may try that. I appreciate your information.

    Jan

  • carrieh
    carrieh Member Posts: 146 Member
    edited December 2017 #16
    Nazareth said:

    wish i could get more than a

    wish i could get more than a day- but i can't- output is formed mostly, but sometimes very watery too- , but i wash out contents with water- and apaprently it works under the seal- and works it's way under the seal about towards evening- in morning when i chang,e i find the liquid is working it's way toward outside of seal- Tried everything- eakin seals same issue- wish htere was an adhesive that would melt to the skin and seal it well- but there isn't for me- I used to use karaya pouches which sealed very well- the karaya woudl melt to skin and really bond well- but hollister began makign htem cheaper and had problems with htem falling apart so i was forced to switch to hydrocolloid pouches- which don't seal very well- but at least they make it for 24 hours ok

    I do take metamucil fiber to help bulk up the watery output- and it helps some, but havign to rinse pouch with water- that works it's way under seal after awhile too

    I also have a very tiny indentation- can't even hardly see it- but it's just enough that whn i bend, it causes the seal to lift off the skin right in that spot (it's not a large spot, about hte side of an erraser I guess) Hydrocolloids just don't seem to like to seal well to my skin I'm afraid- and the karaya pouches are out of the question now- unfortunately

    My skin is really good aroudn the stoma- nice and flat (except the little indent that has formed now)- and i rarely get irritated skin- but pouches just don't like my skin :(

    My Leakage Tricks

    Oh, your issues sound so much like mine! I have a colostomy but super watery and one-three days is normal ... always leak. Tried everything under the sun. I might be strange...but I did find something to help a bit...don't know if it would help you. I started putting the paste in 2 rings on the wafer...one around stoma and one around the outer circle, fairly thick. I heat up my wafer under a heating pad and do my belly so it sticks better...use the sticky spray. Three squirts. Let get tacky. Then when you apply wafer push down gently while spreading the paste with the tips of your fingers to flatten it. That way, if leakage happens...it almost never makes it past the paste double barrier? After you put a bag on, let the heating pad sit on your wafer for a couple minutes (not super hot)...it does realy adhere...but I've cut my leaks and bag changes by 1/2? I'm thin and mine lifts too. Just advice for anyone who wants to try a couple of tricks? Peace, Love to Alll

  • carrieh
    carrieh Member Posts: 146 Member
    OzarkGal said:

    Barrier Rings

    I try to make it to 3 or 4 days with appliance.  I was having a terrible problem with leaks but found that Adapt Barrier Rings has worked.  It has been very difficult managing consistency of output because medications affects that.  I go through cycles of firm output and then watery output.  I don't have an ostomy nurse because there isn't one where I live. I have learned what I can online and youtube videos.

    Share Please! Leak Issues Here

    I've never had luck with barrier rings...seems like output just gets underneath and irritates my skin. Tried cutting them in half...using sticky pastes with, without? Would anyone mind sharing how you apply them and everything. My stoma is almost flush, slightly raised on most days..I'm a skinny Minnie...5 years ostomy now...but still open to any suggestions LOL :) Thanks Everyone

  • carrieh
    carrieh Member Posts: 146 Member
    JanJan63 said:

    I usually go 5 to 6 days and

    I usually go 5 to 6 days and have had one on as long as 9 days without leakage a few times. I've had mine for almost 4 years and have only had a couple of incidents. Mine is also very watery but it doesn't leak. They're expensive, I can't imagine changing it every day or two. The day I'm going to change it I have a nice, hot bath and let it soak then I change it after the bath.

    Sometimes I change it because it's starting to tingle which means it's starting to leak under the adhesive and burn my skin. I generally never have that happen before about day 5, though.

    Jan 

    Do you have any tricks for

    Do you have any tricks for battling leakage? I'n a 1-3 day person at 5 years...sigh. Open to any suggestions :) I can't really change how watery I am, even with foods...very screwed up system with lots of adhesions...lucky to be alive...can't eat many things...but always looking for better seal.

  • Nazareth
    Nazareth Member Posts: 88 Member
    carrieh said:

    Do you have any tricks for

    Do you have any tricks for battling leakage? I'n a 1-3 day person at 5 years...sigh. Open to any suggestions :) I can't really change how watery I am, even with foods...very screwed up system with lots of adhesions...lucky to be alive...can't eat many things...but always looking for better seal.

    Try Metamucil- 2 heaping

    Try Metamucil- 2 heaping tablespoons- I do this three times a day- helps a bit to form up the wateriness- Also try soem holister medical adhesive- put it both on your skin and on the seal- allow to dry (usually about 1-2 minutes is enough time- I spread the adhesive aroudn with my finger- so that hole seal is covered- and of course make sure skin is dry right before puttign seal on- any little wetness on seal will cause the adhesive not to stick well- I usually wipe ostomy and skin by patting with paper just before I put pouch on- Whiel i'm only getting 1 day- there is never any leaking- I can sometimes go two days- but not usually- I've tried the pastes- no god for me- and tried eakins seals- but liek you the contents just get underneath, and it's very messy to clean the eakins off the skin afterwards- so i don't bother with htem-

    Also- I'm tryign out hollister Ceraplus pouch in a few days (Already tried the one pice- didn't liek the tail closure- so ordered sampel of two piece with clip closure-) and it held really nicely I think (I only tried it for 1 day- and it was nicely stuck when I took off next day)- Ask for samples o ntheir site- (and in the notes, ask for 2 to try- sometimes they will give two)

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    Nazareth said:

    Try Metamucil- 2 heaping

    Try Metamucil- 2 heaping tablespoons- I do this three times a day- helps a bit to form up the wateriness- Also try soem holister medical adhesive- put it both on your skin and on the seal- allow to dry (usually about 1-2 minutes is enough time- I spread the adhesive aroudn with my finger- so that hole seal is covered- and of course make sure skin is dry right before puttign seal on- any little wetness on seal will cause the adhesive not to stick well- I usually wipe ostomy and skin by patting with paper just before I put pouch on- Whiel i'm only getting 1 day- there is never any leaking- I can sometimes go two days- but not usually- I've tried the pastes- no god for me- and tried eakins seals- but liek you the contents just get underneath, and it's very messy to clean the eakins off the skin afterwards- so i don't bother with htem-

    Also- I'm tryign out hollister Ceraplus pouch in a few days (Already tried the one pice- didn't liek the tail closure- so ordered sampel of two piece with clip closure-) and it held really nicely I think (I only tried it for 1 day- and it was nicely stuck when I took off next day)- Ask for samples o ntheir site- (and in the notes, ask for 2 to try- sometimes they will give two)

    Funny on the closures. I’m

    Funny on the closures. I’m used to the Convatec Velcro closures and the clips looked challenging to me. So I’m sticking to what I know in using these types of closures. I will experiment with the Coloplast closures some day though. They are also Velcro but a different design.

     

    The paste works well for me. I think that the best combination for me is Cavilon, Stoma Powder and paste on a Convex mood able wafer. It lasted four days and my skin was great. But the osteomyelitis nurse installed it and that might have been a factor.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Ostomy Bag Change

    Everyone is different.  When my ileostomy would start peeling from the edges I'd get nervous and change it, however sometimes I'd wake in the middle of the night and have a blow out - oh how those days were so dismal for me.  My husband would have to help me because I'd never be able to see how to apply it.  My change was about every 3 days but there were times when there would be a change 2 times in a day.  Finally bought some adhesive that made sure it would last at least 2 days - my insurance wouldn't cover more than 2 a week so I'd be very careful about changing it unless it really needed it.  It's a trial and error.  Whatever works for you is what you should go with.  Good luck.

    Kim