I had an emergency surgery in 2006. The jerk that operated on me didn't tell me he was going to ruin my life forever. Since the surgery, I've developed hernias and skin problems that never heal. I have to change the wafer sometimes daily and sometimes twice a day. I've been to wound care specialists and ostomy nurses; nothing helps. But today, I discovered that my last supply order has been delayed because Medicare doesn't think I need the amount of supplies ordered. I thought I had this situation fixed, but apparently, Medicare needs yearly updates to be told the same things again. I find this whole process stupid. I have excellent health coverage, but because Medicare must be satisfied, the company I deal with is holding my supply order. I am down to 2 wafers, at this point, even though I ordered what I needed 2 weeks ago. The company in question didn't inform me of this problem until I called today to find out about my order. I have never gotten over the anger I feel for the jerk who caused all this. I also suffer from PTSD as a result of the treatment received at the hands of the incompetents at the hospital. I wish I could put this all behind me, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards. Thanks for letting me vent.
Hi Morgan. You have come to the right place to vent. I cannot believe how many other ostomates are really upset with the quality of their medical treatment. The best advice I can give you is to find the best GI doctor in your area. (I travel over 100 miles to NYC for my GI.) I implicitly trust his judgment and have been right. Something tells me that, if you have hernias and skin problems that never heal, you are not getting good medical care. Go find a good doctor, and let's hope you can put all this needless misery behind you. Vent away, but do something! Prime
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I had issues with leakage as well. If your stoma isn't 'just right,' it may be why you're having issues. My stoma receded as it healed, and I was using up to 4 wafers a day, and had horribly broken skin. I went through 2 months of supplies in 11 days... and of course, my insurance didn't want to pay. I called Hollister directly and told them my situation. They overnighted me 2 boxes as 'samples,' and it held me over until my stoma revision. I also suggest you find a different doctor. Mine is always so sympathetic to my situation and has fit me in at the last minute numerous times. I always say - You (or your insurance co.) are paying that doctor very well for the service they provide you; if you are not happy with them (who could be in your situation?), it is absolutely your right to find a different one. I hope it gets better for you soon, I know you are miserable :( Keep us updated on how you are doing.
Learn about some basic diet and ostomy pouch routines that can help prevent them.
Hey Morgan, A.S.A.P. ring the company, get them to do as was advised, and get a sample as a supply, or ring all companies now and get supplies. Sorry, I had to use capitals on this one. Please do it, ring all of them, have samples sent ASAP. I'm not sure how it works in the United States, but if you have stomal therapy nurses, ring one and see him/her and get some pouches just for the moment. Never ever let these a-holes do this to you again. Maybe get the stoma measured again? Try a new product? Or like me, I had a huge ulcer; try stoma powder as well. I use a shallow base plate also. Hope this gets sorted for you right now. I'm from Australia, and this, I won't even type the words in here, grrrrr... Good luck, darlz. Mooza.
Hey Morgan, I hope this idea helps. It works for me. I use Coloplast as a base plate attached with the liquid adhesive sold in medical supply companies. I use Edgepark and use stoma adhesive powder before the Coloplast. That will help with the irritation and skin breakdown. Apply your device with stoma adhesive, but put adhesive on the plate that you have made out of the Coloplast, then your wafer. That should secure it well. Then, for the finish, get waterproof tape from the company you deal with and place it around the apparatus. I hope this helps; it has for me. It keeps secure for several days if you're lucky. Good luck, God bless, Mike.
Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister
Hello Morgan, I can help. I have a bunch of supplies that I don't use. I outgrew them and wear a 4-inch wafer now, and it helped me because it covers a bigger area. I still blow out when I do things, but I do have supplies that I can mail to you if you like. I will be traveling through your state going to see my daughter on the 3rd of this month. If you get this before I leave, I will bring them with me. I will be in Washington for 2 weeks with my daughter, then coming back home.
@Primeboy is 100% correct, I live in the Philippines and I went to Australia to see my doctor and only then found out I needed surgery. Any longer in finding the cancer could have had very serious repercussions. The doctors here told me it was just a kidney stone and gave me so many drugs to pass the stone. After 4 months, they decided it might be something else, that is when I hopped on a plane in a big hurry. Whatever else you do, that should be near the top of the list; appliances need to come first, naturally.