I use the Hollister brand and it has a little vent, but it's not great at letting air pass-through. I don't have to put a lot of air in the bag. Just enough to prevent it from being a completely flat vacuum. I take Senna every few days if my stool starts to get thick, but it's usually not a bad consistency. Part of the problem is that I'm not able to change the bag or wafer on my own, and I'm by myself for a majority of the day. When it used to leak, it would happen very slowly. If I could change it on my own, it wouldn't really be a problem at all. The only time it would make a mess was when it started early in the day and I couldn't find anyone to come by to help me change it. I know the air trick is unusual, but I haven't had a single accident when we do it. Even with all the troubleshooting I've had to do over the past year, it's way better than anything I experienced with my old bowel program. I'm so glad I have it now.
On Fri, Mar 13, 2020 at 3:35 PM Greg <[email protected]> wrote: > I never had a leak, but had the wafer lift up, called "Pancaking." > When the poo is soft a sticky, it blocks the opening and goes under the > wafer. Luckily its not messy. It seams the messier it could be, the less > likely will be. Though if its really runy, make sure you don't let it fill > up over full. > Greg > > > On 3/13/2020 2:21 PM, Aaron Mann wrote: > > I never have an issue with the bag leaking due to not having air. Do you > have the bags with the air vent on them or without? Is the wafer getting > pushed off your belly from the stool? If it is the latter, I have found > that consistency of the stool can matter. If it is too firm, try taking > Fiber Gummies or Fiber and some other form to loosen your stool lab so it > doesn't push the wafer off. I offer this because I know what a pain it is > to constantly have a bag with air in it on your belly. > > On Wed, Mar 11, 2020, 8:27 PM Michelle Kephart <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> I got a colostomy almost one year ago, and I wish I would’ve done it >> sooner. I am 37 years old and 11 years post injury, C4/5 complete. I spent >> the better part of the year trying to figure out why the wafer would not >> stay on and nothing was in the bag. I finally figured out that it was >> because of a lack of air in the bag. I found this website to be extremely >> helpful with troubleshooting: >> https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-leaks-tips/ >> >> I decided to get a colostomy because I was having more accidents and the >> constant anxiety that I was about to have another accident was wearing me >> down. I was afraid to vary my diet at all. Now that I have the colostomy, I >> rarely think about it. Even when my colostomy leaks, it is so much easier >> to clean up. It doesn't get on my chair, I don't have to sit on the mess, >> and I don't have to worry about poop getting on my skin sores when I have >> them. If we catch the leak early enough and it doesn't get on my clothes, I >> don't even have to get out of my chair to clean up. And since we solved the >> mystery of why my bag was leaking, I have not had a single accident. I also >> love that my life is not dictated by the schedule of my bowel program. My >> skin sores healed up pretty well after I stopped sitting in my shower chair >> for so long. >> >> Like Aaron said, sex is pretty doable with the colostomy. Go into it with >> a fresh empty bag. In fact, I think it's better because I'm no longer >> worried about pooping on my husband (that's never happened, but it would be >> mortifying)! And yes, the farts are audible. I also like to keep a blanket >> or something else on my stomach that will muffle it. Or I blame the dog :) >> >> >> >> >> >> On Wed, Mar 4, 2020 at 5:51 PM Aaron Mann <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> C4/5 | 32 years post| 47yr old >>> >>> I got my colostomy ~ 20 years post. At the time I got it done I was >>> going in for my 2nd flap surgery. I developed a small wound on my bottom >>> that progressed to a stage 3 quickly. The problem I was having is that I >>> would have an accident, not be thoroughly cleaned on/in the wound, and just >>> spending 1-2 hours every other day on a hard shower chair. These factors >>> make it near impossible to prevent fecal infections in any type of wound. >>> Once that happens the healing process is greatly hampered. The plastic >>> surgeon said that I had to do everything I could to prevent future skin >>> breakdown. He asked me about a colostomy and it took me two months to >>> decide. >>> >>> Post colostomy: >>> I really wish I'd done this sooner. Granted having a colostomy when >>> younger would have presented very uncomfortable life situations. I tell you >>> though, not having to do bowel programs is a HUGE plus. No more training >>> caregivers how to put suppositories in me, stick their finger up my bum >>> checking to see if I'm done. Not to mention the embarrassing times of >>> having an accident. Some so bad that crap is EVERYWHERE. Being cleaned up >>> like a 1 year old. Completely and totally ashamed that someone has to clean >>> you up. It is so much easier to have a bag and/or wafer change. Travel is >>> more convenient. No need for dragging around a shower chair. >>> >>> Now, few downsides, some more important than others depending on how >>> well you handle things. If you don't keep regular with the right diet, your >>> stool can be too firm and push the right off your belly. Too loose and >>> you'll be changing more often. It has taken me years to figure out on my >>> own the right combination of fiber gummies to take daily to keep it just >>> right. Let's talk gas. Now farts are funny at any age. You must have a >>> sense of humor if you have a colostomy. There is no longer the built in >>> muffler of sitting on a cushioned seat. Make a fart sound with your lips >>> right now. That is what colostomy farts sound like. I carry a hoodie on my >>> lap for two purposes; I can bundle it as a makeshift muffler over my bag on >>> gassy days or wear it when cold. Sex. Have your attention now? Spontaneity >>> will present some new barriers to overcome. Best answer is be open to >>> adaptation regarding your colostomy. If I plan on having fun with my wife >>> or whoever (just kidding hon), then I have a wide ace wrap to put around my >>> belly to cover the belly bag. It has worked so far for those intimate bumps >>> n rubs. >>> >>> Please ask questions, best thing us old quads can do is impart our >>> ?wisdom? >>> >>> Aaron Mann >>> >>> >>> On Wed, Mar 4, 2020 at 3:29 PM Danny Espinoza <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> I've got one but as a result of my seat belt cutting in to me and >>>> haven't known anything else. >>>> >>>> -Danny >>>> >>>> -------- Original Message -------- >>>> Subject: [QUAD-L] Colostomy - Yea or Nay? >>>> From: "Nancy Gillen" <[email protected]> >>>> Date: Wed, March 04, 2020 7:17 am >>>> To: <[email protected]> >>>> >>>> >>>> Nancy Gillen <[email protected]> >>>> 9:58 AM (18 minutes ago) >>>> >>>> >>>> I am seriously thinking of getting a colostomy. If you have a >>>> colostomy, will you share your experiences/opinions. Need input. >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> Nan >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >
