Hi Ostomy mates,
I work as a public school bus driver. A few times as I drive the bus, I've smelled poo! Ugh, kids have made comments like "What's that smell?" but they didn't know it was me, the driver.
The only way I can think of to cure the problem is just not ever eat?
Can you all please help me with ideas or resources? Thanks in advance.
Hello Lori,
You may need to supply a bit more info. There should be no smell at all from your appliance.
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Welcome, Lori!
It's good to hear from you!
Please eat! But it sounds like a leak...
We have a great bunch of people here in the community, and the thing is, the more details you give us, the better we can respond.
So I realize you have had the ileostomy for 8 years. It's listed in your profile, and just recently you're saying it started to smell?
So I'd like to get some background.
Is it just recently, or have you always had this aroma?
I know you said you're a bus driver and the kids make comments. Kids can be so cruel; they can never understand.
But we do, and we'll give you any information that you need to help deal with that odor. But like Axel said, there should be no odor being emitted from that bag!
Obviously, you have a leak and are not aware of it! So I hope we can help. The more you give, the more you get, regarding information.
Help us help you. Others will chime in once they know more, or just to say hi and welcome. We get it here.
Hello Lori.
Thanks for sharing this experience.
I can understand how you could think it would be you that has caused the smell. However, kids also fart on the bus and would be unlikely to own up to it, so first of all I would be checking (when you have privacy and time) that the smell did come from you, rather than one or several of your passengers. If it was you, then there are a number of ways to prevent (or mask) it in future. Obvious answers are things like making sure your bag is empty before a journey; There are bags with filters that work quite well for me; Deodorants, in several forms can mask smells but the kids are still likely to comment on 'the smell' even if it's not pooh (because that's what kids do!).
I was a welfare bus driver/escort for a while and it was just the same, except anyone on the bus might well have caused the smells and most times we could all have a laugh about it.
I will end with a rhyme from my welfare bus driving days, written to read out to my passengers when and if any 'difficult' situations arose.
Fortunately, they got used to me reading rhymes aloud to amuse them on the journey.
Best wishes
Bill
WHEN SOMEONE FARTS UPON THE BUS.
Let me tell you from the start.
I don’t think people mean to fart.
And, as far as I can tell.
They’ve no control on sound or smell.
When someone farts upon the bus.
This is a subject to discuss.
When people will their wind uncork.
Most folks might find it hard to talk.
Many reactions I have found.
Are simply to that trumpet sound.
Such sudden surge of sentiment.
I think it’s called embarrassment!
Once a fart’s within earshot.
People do not say a lot.
The fart will tend to mesmerise.
As if one’s thoughts are galvanised.
An instant instinct like an itch.
Make noses like a rabbit’s twitch.
Expressions on their faces tell.
That they await an awful smell.
Instinct tends to make us think.
That every fart will always stink.
When someone farts we cannot tell.
If it will come with its own smell.
If our own farts don’t smell one bit.
We’re glad we’ve got away with it.
We can sigh with great relief.
That we’ve not given others grief.
Some may giggle, some may smile.
Some might show that they’re hostile.
But when it comes right down to it.
All our farts can smell like shit.
So if the fart’s not one of yours.
I hope that you will try to pause.
Try not to scold or to indict.
Just consider the farter’s plight.
B. Withers 2011 (on the bus)
(in ‘My Colourful Rag-Tag Bag’ 2012)
Probably not you at all - just kids being kids... or bus exhaust 🤭 not to worry - safe driving... JB
If you're smelling poop, you probably have a leak of some sort. There should be no smell with a properly sealed appliance.
That's very interesting about the bus exhaust because if the bus has a new catalytic converter, it will have that rotten egg smell. I never gave that a thought because if this woman just realizes the smell, it could be a repair to the bus. She's had the bus for several years, so she would have picked up on the smell before. So, I'm wondering if the kids are playing a practical joke on her, or the bus itself could be the issue here. But until we hear from her, we don't know.
I'm wondering if you notice this smell at other times, or if it's only when you are driving the bus, because as others have said, there should be zero smell with a properly applied appliance. After you have noticed this smell on the bus, have you discovered a leak? If not, I agree, the smell is probably coming from somewhere else.
Terry
When I was in rehab, they didn't have very healthy food options at all, and a lot of my dietary needs, even though I just had my ostomy, were ignored. I ate a lot of peanut butter and jelly, for example, and juice, high-sugar stuff because there was really no choice even after advocating for myself and having other people advocate for me. Lots of bread. Anyway, I say all that because even with the ileostomy, it smelled, and it was bad. When I got home and was able to make more of my own food choices, staying low fiber, low sugar, this helped me. I know that a lot of people on here say that after some time you can eat whatever you want, but I'm saying with the smell, it really helps me to choose different foods with low sugar, well-processed sugar. I'm wondering if you're consuming too much sugar and too many processed carbs and not drinking enough water, and if that's the issue? Peppermint tea also helps; you can make a nice iced tea in a carry-along jug. Are you airing up the bag when you have to drive the bus? Too much gas-causing foods? I think it really all goes down to diet. A good ripe banana with some yogurt in the morning, maybe some chicken and rice in the afternoon, maybe can help? Just some ideas. All ideas coming from lived experiences.
Terry,
Yes, I've noticed the smell at other times. I think I notice it more now with the enclosed area! I've tried not eating to eating the most bland, non-seasoned foods. The bag is fresh every morning, and it seems to be a little gas of some sort, and the smell will be so foul. I always empty when I notice any filling up if I'm near a restroom to also help with smell prevention. I'm just at a loss here.
Terry,
Yes, I've noticed the smell at other times. I think I notice it more now with the enclosed area! I've tried not eating to eating the most bland, non-seasoned foods. The bag is fresh every morning, and it seems to be a little gas of some sort, and the smell will be so foul. I always empty when I notice any filling up if I'm near a restroom to also help with smell prevention. I'm just at a loss here.
Could it be a sudden allergy to something like a spice or oil? We had a friend who was allergic to cottonseed oil; it caused horrendous odor in gas-passing. It took 7 years to discover what caused this. It turned out he had to read all labels, and even then, some items just indicated “oils” and did not specify which kind. Just a thought... JB
Your output sitting in a closed bag should not be able to be smelled. When you empty, yes. If you don't clean properly before resealing your bag, yes. If your output gets under your flange/barrier ring, yes.
This is gonna be one of those topics forever ongoing and rarely answered with any acceptance.
Sit tight.
OK, so now I'm wondering what kind of appliance you are using. If you are having to change it every morning, it sounds like it's likely not right for you, and perhaps isn't fitting properly and giving you an airtight seal, so allowing smell to leak out. Have you tried other products? Are you using a barrier ring? I always use a barrier ring now and the seal is so completely airtight that it lasts for a week without changing.
Terry
Aaah. I found you and your reply here. Thought it was placed elsewhere.
You are entitled to your opinion.
As you stated, for 30 years you have a smell. Sorry to hear that.
Saying we are bullshitting others is misleading. You speak for yourself, not us. Don't go making such outlandish assumptions.
Others here outnumber you in experience and fact.
We "bullshitting" others? Really?
If there's an odor, you have a leak. The Brava 6 x 6" protective sheet will eliminate it. It's the first thing you apply. Cut it to the size of your stoma. Make sure your skin and stoma are dry. (4 x 4" gauze) Apply the sheet to surround your stoma. Keep your stoma dry with more gauze while you use your hands to heat it, and it will really stick. This stuff is so sticky you will need plenty of adhesive remover when it's time to change your bag.
No one told me about this product. I had leaks all the time. Sometimes up to 3 a day! A vendor ostomy nurse told me about it. I suffered for 8 months before I was aware of this product.
Hello Warrior.
Thank you for you response on this one, which probably expresses the opinions of many others on this site.
An alternative way of perceiving this might be to think that there is almost always a smell. However, the various appliances should be able to contain that smell so that it is not released into the atmosphere. With this perspective, it might be more valid to make the statement that "anyone stating that there is no smell is bullshitting..." BUT! to make a statement like this seems to be more than a little disingenuous, as it leaves out the whole dimension of using appliances to contain the smells.
Just a thought!
Best wishes
Bill