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Barrier leaks

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Posted 1/31/2016 3:23 PM (GMT -7)
Hi, I'm new here :-) I've had this colostomy since October of last year, so it's relatively new. For the first month, I was confined to bed pretty much 24/7 (not because of the colostomy, but for other health reasons). During that time, the wafers stayed in place, no leaks, for 3-4 days. I'm using the Hollister 2-piece system. Once I started getting up more, I experienced leaks a few times, but attributed them to my inexperience in putting on the wafers (it was done for me while I was in the hospital).

I should say that I use a wheelchair, so "getting up" means sitting up in my chair. Anyway, I have this roll in my belly which unfortunately occurs right below my stoma. No matter how I try to position the barrier, gravity takes hold and a leak occurs. I'm cleaning the area really well, drying thoroughly, applying stoma powder, then a barrier wipe, letting that dry, then applying the barrier. Now that I'm up, moving around, bending from the waist, I find I have to change every 24 - 36 hours. A day, a day and a half. Is this excessive? Is there something I can use to reduce this? I keep seeing folks talk about an dealings seal, and about pink tape...what are these things, and what are they used for?

I did try the Hollister adhesive paste, and the moldable rings, but they didn't seem to make much of a difference..

Post Edited (Catdancer) : 1/31/2016 3:42:27 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/31/2016 3:29 PM (GMT -7)
Hi and welcome to the forum. Is your stoma more recessed ( kind of sunken ) or does it protrude out from your body? There are appliance applications that are flat and some that are convex. My stoma is sort of sunken in so I need a convex application which pushes my stoma out a bit when I apply my appliance. Have you tried other brands? I had a colostomy before and now have an ileostomy. Hollister worked great for me for my colostomy but for my current application, I always get leaks to I had to switch brands.
Posted 1/31/2016 3:40 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks for your quick reply. My stoma protrudes, so I'm using a flat wafer. Is that right? I tried convatec wafers, but the adhesive really irritated the skin around the stoma. Just one week using them caused a blister and a raw area, so I stopped, and am trying now to get the area healed. I've sent away for some coloplast supplies, but want to get the skin problems fixed before trying them. I didn't like convatec pouches either...sounded like I was carrying around a cellophane bag.
Posted 1/31/2016 4:51 PM (GMT -7)
it sounds like a flat application is correct for you. When I stand my stoma sinks below skin level, when I lay flat its' pretty much flush with my skin so I need a convex application to fill in the sunken area round my stoma. I use the ConvaTec moldable ones as I got tired of cutting as my stoma is more of an oval shape and I haven't had a leak with these yet. I did order some precut hollister ones as I loved the brand when I had my colostomy but their convex ones just aren't working well for me at all, they've leaked every time.
Posted 2/1/2016 1:42 PM (GMT -7)
Just my opinion.

I do not like the two piece systems because the fecal mater would not all get routed down to the bottom of the bag. Some would hang out near the stoma because of the lip on the wafer. I tried the two piece system when I first got my bag and had leaks.
Posted 2/1/2016 2:41 PM (GMT -7)

Zaneluke said...
Just my opinion.

I do not like the two piece systems because the fecal mater would not all get routed down to the bottom of the bag. Some would hang out near the stoma because of the lip on the wafer. I tried the two piece system when I first got my bag and had leaks.

When I empty my bag I'll keep filling it with clean water to wash out the bag and stoma area to keep it as clean as possible. Once I see what's coming out of my bag is clear i seal it back up
Posted 2/2/2016 12:37 PM (GMT -7)
I talked to my ostomy nurse, and we decided that the issue most likely is that my output is like paste..thick and sticky, and doesn't move away from the stoma and down into the pouch smoothly. Sort of just lies there. So it builds up and pushes the barrier up and out of it's way. Stuff happens. So either I change my diet to change the stool consistency, or live with it. For now, I'm living with it.

I have sent away for Coloplast barriers, as somebody said they might be more flexible. So when they get here I'll try those.
Posted 2/2/2016 1:51 PM (GMT -7)
I wouldn't think that the output would be able to push up the adhesive, I've had some thick output build up around my stoma, especially when laying down and I've had both a colostomy and my current ileostomy. Let us know how the new appliances work :)
Posted 2/2/2016 2:34 PM (GMT -7)
Are you using too much powder? Sometimes that can cause the wafer to fall off. I never liked the powder unless I was having skin issues.

Have you tried an ostomy belt?

When I had my ostomy they didn't have the Coloplast MIO but it was supposed to be much more movable to your body.

The coloplast barrier strips were really nice to have, they stuck really well and the only downside was that they were almost impossible to get off.
Posted 2/2/2016 3:49 PM (GMT -7)
Thick output can definitely cause leaks. I had no problems w/that w/my first stoma, but with my new one (which is short), I sometimes have leaks when I let the output get really think -- last weekend I ate a bunch of popcorn and nuts and had a leak... of course, a leak is nothing compared to an obstruction, which is what I used to get w/the old one!

That said, there are a lot of things you can try. The ostomy belt is a great idea, as are the brava strips or sure seals (use the silicon adhesive remover to get the strips off, works like a charm and doesn't sting or compromise the new wafer). These (and the pink tape) are things that go around the wafer and hold it down better. What I love about them is that if you do have a leak, they can hold it in so that it doesn't make a mess before you have time to change. A few days ago, I found out in the bathroom at a restaurant that I had a leak, but I was able to finish dinner, then stop and pick up a few things at the store, and then go home and change... not the greatest for my skin, but much better than having to change my pouch in the one person women's stall at the restaurant that had a line....

I think a convex wafer is worth trying -- it's stiffer and stays on better, even if your stoma is long (my first stoma was long, but my belly was too soft for the coloplast flat to fit right). You could also go the other way and try the Mio or the Cymed, which are really flexible. It can be overwhelming, but different brands really do work better for different people (good to get advice from your nurse). I used coloplast w/my old stoma, but switched to convatec w/the new one ( sounds like you had their old bags... the new ones are quieter.... I do have to cut off the tape to use them, though, as it irritates my skin).

Also, there are things you can drink to thin your output that don't involve changing your entire diet. You have to figure out what works for you, but things like grape juice, coconut water, apple cider, and coffee work for different people. Just being careful to drink more water might help too.

Another thing I've heard is that some people w/colostomies line the bag w/cooking oil (e.g. spray pam on it).... that helps the output slide down better.

Hang in.
Posted 2/2/2016 5:25 PM (GMT -7)
I had a similar leakage issue. I had a roll... indent. .. from my belly button to my stoma. Not only did I use the moldable wax ring I had to roll a small chunk of the ring to fill the indent before applying. It worked great. I grew out of the roll and no longer need it.
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