Seeking Alternatives to Hollister for Ileostomy Care

Hi there,



I have an ileostomy and I am currently using Hollister New Image 2-piece system with Adapt barrier ring. I used to get pretty good weartime out of it (4-5 days), but lately my discharge seems to be eating away at the ring barrier, which leads to leaks. I was always very happy with Hollister, but now I am kind of wondering if there might be other alternatives out there. I know that Convatec offers moldable skin barriers on their products and was thinking if they might offer better seal?



I will appreciate your advice.



Sun

Hi there Sun.



I too use the 2 piece system from Hollister and have years. I love it and had actually switched from using Convatec! What's happening with your pouch or flange is what was happening to me with the Convatec system I was using.





The only time I usually have a leak is my own fault! After 22 years you would think I would know better but alas.........perhaps you should call Hollister and let them know what's happening.......they might even replace some of your supplies for you....I know they have great customer service!



Good luck and let me know how things work out for you! Happy New Year.

Hi Sun



Sorry you have problems.

All I can tell you is what has happened to me.

After five operations on my Stoma situation (including re positioning, stapling etc) I think I have tried every make/brand of appliance on the go.

For three years my leakage problem was terrible, (changing 3-4 times a day)I lost all confidence in not only going out anywhere but people visiting me at home. I felt that they had saved my life but not given me quality of life.

I have other serious health issues but I'm writing this in regards to your question.

you mention you used to wear an appliance 4-5 days. Wow..that would be bliss.

I have found ConvaTec Natura Flange with flexible collar used along with ConvaTec pouches the best so far. Although I have to change flange on avarage every 24 hours it means during that time I have more confidence and yes, I do have leaks sometimes but probably a lot of my problem is a stoma that retracts or goes flat.

I hope you manage to get some answers but probably giving them a try is the best bet.

I talked to the ConvaTec helpline in the end and they were fantastic and I have to admit they have done more for me than my Stoma Nurse (lovely person though she is) did in months.

I hope this helps, good luck and let us know how you get on.

Regards Butterfly

Hello again Butterfly, my name is actually Ann.



Again, as I said in my first post, I've been using the Hollister 2 piece system for years now and love it! The only time I really have any problems with it is when I get too lazy to change it! Otherwise I love the product.



Fortunately for me I have never had an issue with my stoma prolapsing or inverting, and I had the same general surgeon for all 5 of my surgeries as well!! If and when my skin under the flange gets irritated, and sometimes even after 22 years, it does, before I put a new flange and pouch on I treat my skin with some calamine lotion.........I "fan" it dry with empty flange envelope if you will and put the new one on and I'm good to go!



Good luck yourself with everything and let me know how things go. By the way I'm also in Connecticut, what area of the country are you in? I also have both yahoo and msn instant messenger programs if you'd like to chat there sometimes.



Besides my ostomy I've also had a total knee replacement in July of '07 so I also know what it's like to have pre-existing conditions along with our ostomy.



Again good luck with everything and I look forward to hearing from you again!

Thank you guys, it so nice to have such quick responses. It sound like both of you have a good point. I will definitely look around and see what else is there.



S

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hi there Butterfly and Sun

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I just realized that it was Sun telling us about some of her issues with her system and not Butterfly!

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Sorry about that! Good luck Sun and as I said keep us posted!

They are the best !!!!! No scissors and quick to prepare. I can't tell you how they stand up without additional seals. I have been using the convex one with an added eakin seal and some stick tape in certain areas to fill in the crevices. I was getting anywhere 4-6 days as long as I wasn't very active.  



Just this past week I saw the e.t nurse who suggested going without the eakin and instead making my own seals out of the flatter Hollister skin barrier sheets.  The one she put on in the hospital (without powder) was itchy after a day so I changed it and it had started to leak a bit but wasn't dangerous yet, just itchy.  Might have used too much stick tape.



I have had this one two days now, the moldable Convatec, a Hollister skin barrier seal and a piece of the stick tape to fill in a part of the crevice and so far no itching. I DID remember to put the powder on first. After four years I still have substantial bleeding around the stoma which prevents a longer wear time.  Mine is very gouged because of having to have a couple of stomas made in the exact same spot.  



Sorry for rambling, you can only try them to really know. I think the moldable Convatecs are the berries. Everyone's wear time will be different. If you have any wetness around your stoma, don't forget to use the Convatec stoma powder (again my favourite).



Hope this helps someone find a better applicance system.  

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If anyone can tell me how to do situps without causing a leak, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU !!!

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Hi Sun,  I have been using the Hollister New Image 2 piece w/convex and the adapt rings for many years.  I have been having skin problems and getting shorter wear lately and with the encouragement of our local covatec rep, am trying out the moldable durahesive with Hydrocolloid (good for sensitive skin) flexible collar.  They don't make the hydrocolloid flange in with convexity yet, but I tried it anyway.  I found that I am getting better wear with the Eakin seal than the Adapt rings.  I kind of like the hollister pouches better than the Covatec, so I may just go back to the Hollister and use the eakin seals.  In the long run, I will probably choose whichever gives me the longer seal.  Hope this helps.

WOW! I did not expect so many replies. Thank you all. It is so great to know that there are so many helpful folks around. Such a wealth of information.



I will have to call ConvaTec and ask them for this moldable durahesive with Hydrocolloid you mentioned above. I hope they have it in Canada.



Thanks

I BEEN USING CONVACTEC FOR MANY YEARS AND I LOVE IT.  THE MOST THAT I LIKE IS WHEN I GO TO THE BEACH OR POOL I DONT HAVE TO WORRY FOR LEAKING, I CHECK EVERY TIME THAT I HAVE A CHANCE.

IS SUR- FIT  NATURA  FLEXIBLE, YOU CAN TRY, AND GOOD LUCK...    



DINA

Hey Sun,

Howz it?  I have been using Holister for 4 years now and have noticed that the barrier rings melt away much faster then they use to.  I went from using the normal donuts to using the CeraRing and it melts faster then the old version whitout the ceramide.  

I also noticed that I'm often rubbing the area around the ring due to itching. Im sure this does not help.

Hello btw,  I just paid for a full membership so hopefully I find some kindred spirits here on the site.

Hope you're doing great!  Good Night, Donavon

Amazing the different combinations and struggles. I have been through lots of combinations but what helped most I think was getting rid of the Eakin ring and sticking the flange directly on clean dry skin. We use the moldable flange which allows a tighter fit around the stoma. At about the 4-day mark I can feel it getting itchy which seems to coincide with leakage starting to get under the flange. If I change it then irritation is kept to a minimum but if I extend it and it gets really red I apply Marathon which seems to work magic on irritated skin. Expensive but works well. Good luck!

What is marathon?

https://www.medline.com/jump/content/products/wound-and-skin-care/marathon-liquid-skin-protectant/

Salts BE Confidence drainable (UK)

Hollister cera plus 

Dansac easy fold nova 90mm flange

815-15 Swedish company owned by Hollister!