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Let's share what works for our ileostomies!
There are some things that are the same no matter what kind of ostomy you have - you need to find an appliance that works for you, you probably had an emotional adjustment, you need to take care of your skin.
But some things are specific for a ileostomy, where your entire colon has been removed. What has helped you? What kind of routines have you developed?
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The ET nurse gave me a great tip. If you’re having irritation or weeping from the adhesive, which is very common with new ostomys. She said use a thin,
coat of Sween cream. Use a hair dryer to assist drying before applying
A skin prep wipe. I’m 33 years post op,… my skin is just dandy…
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1 Reaction@rxjoey I've never heard that one before! Good to know.
Back in 1987 I was shown how to use Mylanta or Maalox, dab the liquid on, and blow dry it before sealing it in with barrier wipe.
What other tips do you have?
@susanf8 …..yes Sue, …I’ve had RN’s come to the window asking for Maalox (do not shake)….
@rxjoey oh yes! I forgot that bit of instruction!
How do you do your changes now? How is it different than when you first started?
Sue,….. ya know after all these years, ………when I 1st started timing no output
Was challenging. Now I know exactly the window for no output …..I don’t need to shave or trim the area anymore, hair stopped growing in the 4 x 4 area
Years ago. Still use a peri-wash spray, & no sting wipe. The ET RN introduced me to the Adapt barrier ring by Hollister. I can’t remember the last time I used paste… after a few years the RN showed me another ring. This one doesn’t
Swell from contact with moisture. Hint…I love the Hollister ring that does swell, it fills in the gaps. The only pouch I use is closed end. My gym, bike
Personal lifestyle, I go totally undetectable. And I now use a belt for extra security. ……..stay hydrated, eat salad, spinach etc daily to ensure motility.
10-15 minutes, just another day…….oh 4 days wear per wafer. 1 Pouch daily sometimes 2 ……..a lot to digest….any clarifications…let me know Sue…👍
@rxjoey
I use drainable Hollister and the ring that is doing well enough to swell and keep away leaks.
You mentioned closed bag but then you must order many bags per month?
If closed end, do you change the entire bag each time or empty it and re-use?
I also get 2-3 days per wafer.
Should I try to go longer?
I live in a healthcare desert and am a retired RN x 40 years. No ET RN anywhere near me. That was not my specialty.
STAT Hello Deb,….back in the days of Convatec use, I could get any easy
7 days from a wafer….truth…..and prob 5 from the pouch. Then Convatec
Stopped adhering to my skin totally. Because I worked there previously and knew the crowd, I had no problem with consultations. Then I was switched to Hollister. I can’t even remember how long ago that was. I never had a skin issue except to the immediate post op months, when your body is getting accustomed to the adhesive, shaving a 4x4 around the stoma. Women, no
Hair on the peristomal region…..to your question…..the RNs had a get together for the patients one year. Only the ambulatory one’s of course. She
Showed us slides of various skin issues. One slide was of a person who
Changed their wager daily, resulting in a stripped epidermis. The current ET
RN Said…and it’s also in print of how many closed end pouches you’ve allowed. The contact person at the distributor reminds me too. Plus, you can get 3 belts every 3 months too. I’m very active. So Deb, the person who sells you products will tell you exactly what Medicare allows. Years ago the number of closed end pouches was limited, sort of like for dates and special occasions.
Now a new pouch daily. I was fresh as the proverbial daisy daily. No one in my late wife’s family knows I had this procedure. And …33 years later …here we are. I know a rambled a bit Deb, but hope I was of some help. I do enjoy
A conversation with someone with same and in the industry. I’ve been smiling
Since my 1st bite of hospital food on my tray😀
@debgeo21979 if you can go longer with no itching or skin issues, then sure! I was always told that it's best to change proactively, so you don't wind up with skin issues. I get four days, but sometimes it's three.
I do know of one ileostomate who uses closed end pouches and discards the pouch eight or ten times a day. I don't know how he affords this, as generally, insurance will only cover 30 pouches a month. It also seems less convenient to me than flushing the contents down a toilet.
I have a colostomy and i do use closed end bags I use the ones with wafer attached so I change my entire ostomy bag and I have had no skin issues at all. i use the coloplast mio flex comvex
@pez01 that makes perfect sense for a colostomy, where you may be having one movement a day. Do you have any colostomy tips to share on this thread?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/got-some-tips-for-managing-a-colostomy-we-want-to-hear-them/