I have a colostmy. This is the third time this has happened to me and I am puzzled!
I was out to lunch this afternoon with dear friends. Suddenly, I knew I needed to rush to the restroom. I went to check my "bag", and I found that everything in the bagwas running out of the side of my bag where it attached to my wafer. (there was not a whole bunch, praises and thanks!) My wafer felt very greasy/oily. In checking, my wafer seemed to be melting! ARGGGGH! The "stomahesive" was seemingly gone! I had just put this new wafer and bag on this morning!
Luckily I keep what I call "My Kit" in my purse with a complete change (wafer, colostomy bag, stomahesive, scissors, tape, panties, and two plastic baggies and a wash cloth in an additional baggie). So I was able to clean myself up and change. Of course, I had to wash that portion of my skirt. I have taken to wearing black skirts or pants out now, as that best covers up accidents and wetness.
Has this ever happened to anyone else out there, or am I lucky on my own?
What would cause this Is there something I can do to keep it from happening again?
Any answer, or even just some sympathy will be met with thanks
I'm 20 years old and 4 months ago had an ileostomy reversal (my small bowel is now attached to my rectum). I had the ileostomy for 20 years (since i was a week old). So I do know all those wonderful embarassments that go along with the bag! In case you're not sure, an ileostomy is the exact same as a colostomy but the small bowel is brought through the belly instead of the colon.
Anyway, I did have many accidents which entaled my wafer pretty much melting off. I do feel for you. Was it a hot day or were you just hot and maybe sweaty yourself? I used to dread hot summer days even though summer is my favorite season because whenever I got too hot and sweaty the wafer WOULD actually melt and cause leakage. I too carried my little kit with me incase it ever happened, smart thinking!! I feel bad because I love to help people with my experiences but in this case the experience was just a sucky one and I don't know how to fix it. I used to use Convatec. Maybe there is another type of bag that holds better or longer, i'm not sure but I do wish the best of luck to ya. Maybe try to stay where it is air conditioned or don't wear too many layers..anything to try and stay a little cooler!! Let me know how things go ok i'll be thinking about ya!!
Ashley
p.s. if you have any other questions be sure to ask away!
Thanks for responding to my question! I know it sounded like a joke, but I was oh so serious! Because I had not gotten a response on this board yet, a couple of days later, I reposted on the "Crohn's" board and received a response there. I was told that usually, when that happens, it is because there is too much acid in the stuff in the bag. I think it is a combination of hot (we had 97* temps for three days in a row) and probably too much acid. I do take protonix, but perhaps that isn't enough. I did have very runny bowels, but it was such a hot day. I think it is 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other!
Again, thanks for answering my post. The incident at the restaurant was so discouraging. I feel better now with such nice understanding and care.
God bless,
Madelyn
I am in my 50s. Crohn's Disease (since childhood), pancreatitis, diabetes, neuropathy, arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, asthma, Rosecea. I have had 4 surgeries including pancreas/sphincterplasty, duodenum, resection, proctectomy with sigmoid colonectomy. I have a permanent colostomy.___________________ ____________________
There's nowhere I can hide that God can't find me, nowhere I can go that God can't help me.
Is there something I can do to keep it from happening again?