Ileostomy Leaking Issues and Frustration

Help! I just got my ileostomy on 10/11. I have had issues with it leaking, even while I was in the hospital.

I'm using a two-piece - the wafer is Hollister soft convex cut to fit, HO11703.

Issues - it is backordered, so me changing my bag twice a day isn't ideal. They sent me a different wafer, but it's doing the same thing.

 

I'm so frustrated! The nurse at the hospital couldn't get it to not leak, and the home health nurse helped me change the bag, and it leaked within an hour of her leaving.

I've had the best luck with rolling the wax into a snake and turtlenecking it - then adding two smaller pieces at 9:00 and 3:00 because of my crease. The stoma is right at my belly button.

 

Try using paste and a belt. Stay tuned; more people will respond with more help.

How close to the belly button is it? Usually, surgeons try to have some space around the stoma for wafer placement.

I was just looking at the paste online - I'll try it! Thanks! I tried the belt - I'll try again! Thanks!

I worded it wrong - it's in line with the belly button - there is room for wafer placement.

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Hi there,

Are you cutting the wafer to sit snugly around your stoma? It could also be the appliance you're using.

I am doing what the nurse showed/told me to do when she was here Thursday.

I've tried two different wafers.

I'm exhausted—I've changed it 6 times so far and I just found it's leaking again. I could cry.

Some ostomates use a blow dryer set on low to preheat the wafer before installation. Since wafer adhesive is heat activated, preheating helps it stick a little better. Then they put on a support belt for a while.

Does your stoma stick out above skin level, or is it low to the skin? Low stomas cause leak problems. Convex wafers are made for this situation. Ostomy supply manufacturers offer free samples. You have to try different brands and hopefully, you'll find one that works.

Peristomal skin must be clean and dry for maximum wafer sealing. Do not use soaps that have perfumes, dyes, or lotion. These chemicals interfere with wafer adhesion. I use Cetaphil bar soap. I take everything off to shower. Your stoma is not affected by water. I use wet paper towels to carefully, gently clean the stoma. I take in an empty soft drink cup to catch any output. Some people even soap up the stoma. Be careful with your fingernails. When drying off, pat the stoma area dry; don't rub.

Hi. Yes, my stoma is low; it's above skin level but barely. I've tried two different wafers - even tried the flat one I used with my colostomy (which stuck out further).

My skin is very irritated - it was improving, but this last round of 9 bag changes is not helping. The home health nurse told me not to use the adhesive remover wipes, just warm water. I finally decided the skin wasn't clean enough, so I used the wipes, then wiped with water and dried well. I have not tried a hair dryer, but I do warm the Eakin in my hands.

I'm just worried about running out of supplies (and it's the weekend).

First, people must realize that most healthcare workers know very little about ostomy maintenance, so take their advice with that in mind. Second, the more you change your wafers/bags, the more you'll get irritated skin. Obviously, you have to change it because you're leaking, so figuring out the leaks is a priority. If what you're using is not working, try something else. Using a hairdryer to warm the sticky stuff was a game changer for me. Showering with no equipment on and letting your skin air out was also key for me.

AlexT is correct. The more you change the wafer, the more your skin will suffer. I change my colostomy wafer every 7 days. Usually, I let the bare skin breathe for an hour.

Unless you have an ostomy, you don't really know about ostomy life. Nurses and doctors try their best to help, but personal experience is needed.

One tip an ostomy nurse gave is very good: Do not pull the wafer up when removing. Use medical adhesive remover to loosen a tape edge. Slightly lift the edge, use a finger to gently push the skin down. Peristomal skin is already stressed from adhesive, being covered, and getting stretched and irritated by stomal activity. My goal is always to let the wafer fall off, never pull off. Use adhesive wipes to loosen hairs sticking to a partially removed wafer.

 

Make sure there isn't any skin showing. I went to two different ostomy nurses; one said I'm 29, the other said 22. If at 29 skin is showing, I go with 22. The flange sits close to the stoma; keep pressure on it. I read somewhere to keep it up for 15 minutes.

New to this as of 8/11. Leaking stopped when I started running my finger around in the wafer on the adhesive after new placement to ensure the seal was made tight. Also, outside the wafer where your adhesive is on the skin, place your hand for a few full minutes there to warm the adhesive when it's newly placed to help the adhesive work better.

One year this month, I remember leaks on the edge, the bag popping off. Trying paste, powder, and whatever I could get - watching all YouTube videos, lots of info. Changes every 4 to 6 days.

After trial and error, I use Coloplast 11443, any ring but always a ring, I always add Brava Elastic barrier strips. I clean with Hollister 7760 (my scratching feels good) then clean just hot water with a rag from a cut-up old t-shirt.
I am a guy so I shave with a new blade - tweezers to pull the edges.

Dry then ring, wafer, bag, bands.

I have Hypafix for maintenance 10 days between. Keep at it and you will get your routine. :)

Have you tried a barrier ring? I had to use that to stop the leaks before my stoma "sunk" back into my abdomen. Leaks are a pain. Sometimes it's not you, sometimes it's the bag, or the wafer. 

I am sorry that you are having to change your bag so frequently. That hurts the skin around there so much. Are there ostomy nurses that you could contact, or sometimes if you contact the distributer- Hollister, Coloplast, Convatec, they have people who can help you,

Where does your bag seem to be leaking from the most? Is there any one place?

Hang in there. I know this whole change is a hard one. Just take each day!!! Know youre not alone.

I think the barrier ring really helped me. 

I had problems also. I had to stop using flat pouches. I now use a convex Hollister bag #82711 and a Coloplast Barrier Ring #120467. My stoma is 1 inch. I have a 1-inch short tube and I stretch the Barrier Ring over the tube and let it shrink back to the 1" size on the tube. Then I place the tube in the pouch 1" hole and slide the barrier onto the pouch. This will align the ring with the hole perfectly every time. If your stoma size is different, you would need a tube of that diameter. I clean the skin around the stoma with Hollister Adhesive Remover and a warm washcloth, drying with a hairdryer. I shave the hair with an electric razor, being very careful. If there is irritation, I put stoma powder on that spot only and remove all of the excess powder. Excess powder will cause the Barrier Ring not to stick. I spray the skin all around the stoma with Hollister Skin Barrier Spray. It will not cause problems to get the spray on the stoma. I use the hairdryer to dry it to a sticky state and then place the pouch. My pouch still has to be changed every 3 days or it will leak. Be sure to clean all of the old residue from the previous Barrier Ring and Barrier Spray before respraying. If you don't have some of the material mentioned and you need it quickly, you can buy most supplies from eBay until you are able to order them through your Medicare and insurance. You probably need to consult a stoma nurse also since leakages can cause serious problems. Be sure to always, always, wear a belt. This will keep the pouch tight against your skin. Good luck.