Bag keeps leaking & the output is so high

[nogutsnoglory]

Is there anything I'm doing wrong? I'm new to having an ileostomy but it keeps leaking all over? I am calling my nurse to see what can be done because this is really upsetting and nasty.

 

[DJW]

Hey NGNG. Sorry your going through this. It's nasty and frustrating. I go through it everytime I have surgery involving the stoma. Keep working with the nurse. It WILL get better. I rarely have leaks. When I do have them it's bc I'm pushing the wear time. Hang in there. This will pass.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Thanks it's probably because its so new and it will work out. Is it normal for the bag to be filling up so quickly? I feel like I'm practically emptying hourly now.

 

[DJW]

Yes it is normal. It not uncommon for me to empty 2 gal/day after surgery. Watch for dehydration. It will settle down and you'll start to get your life back. But it takes time.

 

[evescott]

For now she might give you something like a paste or a powder, so, so handy! The powder is just like talc & dries your skin so is sticks better & the paste you mould like playdough to sit around your stoma & create a little damn or barrier to keep things going where they should! As has been said, it'll definitely slow down & get easier!

Good wishes your way x

 

[nogutsnoglory]

When will this slow down? I am emptying every 30 min it's horrible!

 

[warrior65]

when u put the bag on ,use a heating pad on it ,so that it will adhere to your skin.When u need to remove the bag use unisolve adhesive remover..ive used wound pouches,and by using heat it wont leak for about 4to 5 days.hope that helps

 

[TacoTuesday]

I had leaking problems after a couple days, after switching to a convex flange helped me, now I get 5ish days without problems.

I also use the paste and adhesive rings.

Not sure on the output.. If its really liquidly maybe try eating some applesauce throughout the day. Will help thicken it up.

 

[DJW]

When will this slow down? I am emptying every 30 min it's horrible!

Mine went on for a week or so and then started to slow down. I just found my ostomy diet sheet from the dietition.

Diarrhea: see if you can get something from the doc to slow output
Ensure adequate intake of sodium and potassium.
Avoid sugary drinks including gatorade - I drink G2 or Poweraid zero.

To reduce D: applesauce, tapioca, cheese, yogurt, smooth peanut butter, oatmeal, boiled rice, potatoes without skin, bananas, cream of rice & soda crackers.

Home made rehydration drinks:

2 cups Gatorade
2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt

Or

1 cup apple juice
3 cups water
1/2 tsp salt

I was given the apple juice one in hospital. It helped a lot.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[Samboi]

Marshmallows are also great to slow things down.
Also - potato chips. They slow things down and give you a nice dose of salt.

It takes awhile for your body to adjust - sometimes weeks or months.
Be patient - it does get better.

 

[hainman]

HI NGNG im 5 weeks after surgery with Ileostomy and mine is going like the clappers,feels like its every hour or two im emptying,but sometimes its rather quite,as for leaks.ive been lucky i suppose,only had minor leak due to me puttin bag on and the sticky bit got a bit creased,i use coloplast sensura and no paste powders or anything,just clean and whack on a new back every 2 to 3 days,marshmallows do work a trwat,also gravy with dinners,like chicken gravy and totties,or rice not had the apple sause yet but might give it a bash,
hope yours settles down soon

 

[2thFairy]

The first few weeks you will be filling up very fast and needing to emptying several times a day. This will slow down over time as your body adjusts to the stoma and you will also find which foods work best for you to thicken up the output and slow things down. Applesauce and anything potato (baked potato, potato chips, French fries) really thicken things up for me, but not for everyone.

Because you are having such a high output at the moment, definitely drink plenty of water, as you can become dehydrated quickly right now. Eat salty things to help balance some of this out as well.

As your stoma shrinks down, and it will shrink a lot in the next month, I bet the leaks will get better. Trial and error with supplies, unfortunately, is what will make the change with the leaks. I swear by Brava strip paste around my stoma to get a good seal to prevent leaks and save my skin. My stoma hangs out a good distance from my abdomen, so I don't need a convex wafer. If you have a short stoma that is more flush with your skin, you may need a convex wafer to aid in getting the stoma further away from the skin and this will aid in preventing leaks.

Close contact with your stoma nurse is the best thing for you right now.

Welcome to our awesome club!!!

 

[Crohnzie Girl]

So I'm told that after surgery you get many samples of different bags, paste, rings and all that good stuff. Keep trying different ones til one works for you. I hope u find relief soon from anxiety and depression from everything your going thru. I pray that with time you'll find peace and have your life back. You deserve it.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I'm just going to send a giant thanks and hugs to everyone for all of your answers. This is a very new and confusing time but good to be with friends who know.

 

[Samboi]

I also had way bigger bags at the start - with a really easy plug style exit.
It meant I didn't have to empty all the time.
Can you get your hands on the jumbo size bag?

 

[2thFairy]

Are you still in the hospital?

The people in the hospital that take care of stoma patients in the US are generally from the Wound Care department. They do a good job of handling the basics, but don't always know what to do if you don't fit in with the textbook information. A stoma nurse, most likely tied in with your surgeon's office, should be able to help get all of your other issues fixed up.

 

[annawato]

I htink everyone has covered the basics for now but if it continues give me a shout as I've always had a huge output and its only recently with medicines that I've got it to slow down.
Apples are the best for thickening my output, but make sure you peel them in the beginning until your gut heals a bit.
Also I found if the bag was too snug around my stoma I would get leaks. I leave about 1/8 " wriggle room and protect the skin (mostly unsuccessfully) with paste. I'm thinking of getting brave and retrying rings that others have success with.
Oh yes and wearing a belt and a convex appliance helped me too.

 

[BowelMeOver]

We are only on day three since surgery, and husband just started having output yesterday, so while I can't offer any advice, I would like to wish you success in finding a resolution to your problems, and soon!

I have heard many comment about marshmallows helping to slow down the output, but am curious to know if there is an actual safe amount to eat without becoming blocked?

 

[annawato]

I think you can eat as many (marshmallows) as you like if your output is watery. Slow down as it thickens. I found with my first stoma they did thicken my output, but they also thickened my waist so this time I avoided them!

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Is it dangerous to thicken too much with meds that you obstruct? I'm on so many meds to bulk up.

 

[elrafantas]

Hi! What meds are you on? I had an ileostomy for 8 months and I had to take 8 loperamide pills a day to slow things down, else everything went nuts and I was emptying all the time. The only things that caused blockages for me were certain foods that I hadn't chewed properly like coleslaw and nuts - all the loperamide wasn't a problem, neither were thickeners like loads of marshmallows, smooth peanut butter and bananas - I ate loads. Also, I had to drink dioralyte quite a bit and that really helped with the output. It might be called something different in the US.
Wishing you well xx

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I'm on 8 lomotil a day too but it still is crazy. I will likely add Imodium to the mix and just tried some marshmallows.

 

[DJW]

Hang in there. It WILL slow down. Keep an eye on your hydration.