Daily Showers with a bag

[LOSTnut]

Hello Stoma-Gang,

it's me again! After finally resolving the bag issue and it staying on my body without having to worry on an hourly basis whether it comes off or not I am trying to tackle the next BIG problem on my list: daily showers!

Is it possible? How do you keep the wafer sufficiently dry so it doesn't lift and comes off?

I have tried to take showers while still having problems with the bag and had absolutely no success in keeping it dry enough. I saw this apron thing, but looking at it (it comes down to your knees), it does seem to beat the purpose of taking a shower, especially if you are a female -- if you get my drift.

I have tried to tape it up with foil and waterproof tape but water is like ants -- the smallest opening provides opportunity.... gurr :ybatty:

As always, any advice is hugely appreciated! :ysmile:

 

[Nyx]

Here I am recommending Tegaderm again. It's great! I don't recommend spraying it directly, but if some runs down your body and gets on it, it's not a problem at all. I've actually had a quick bath with it on and it wasn't a problem at all.

I also bought this http://www.nextag.com/waterproof-ostomy-cover/stores-html

It's an interesting item, and would work on someone who doesn't have big hips like me...I found that it rolled up on me. It kept things dry, but was kind of annoying so I went back to the tegaderm.

 

[LOSTnut]

Thanks, Cindy. That belt looks weird and I like the Tegaderm idea much better. Can you tell me which product you use ... there are so many that I got a bit confused.

Also, would the insurance pay for that? Probably not, huh?

 

[Nyx]

I just use the one that comes in a roll.

http://www.3msamples.com/medical/tegaderm_roll_11.html

Not sure if insurance would cover it or not, as I don't have coverage for my ostomy supplies anyway. Wouldn't hurt to ask though!

 

[LOSTnut]

Thank you soooooo much, Cindy. This sure looks like it would work perfectly.

Sheesh, sure didn't think it would that easy. I should have asked you way earlier.

Thanks again!!!!!


:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

 

[CDDad]

Hi Heike,
What brand are you using now? I use Hollister New Image and showers are one thing I don't have to worry about. Most days I take two showers (one morning, and one after my run), and the wafer is not affected. I just towel off the wafer and bag and it's good to go in 30 seconds.

When I tried Convatec last year, the wafer lifted right off me in the bath. Other people do fine with Convatec, so maybe it's just finding what works for you.

I know this does not help your issue, but I just wanted you know that you should be getting better performance from your wafer system. Every little thing that does not need a special routine makes life so much eaiser!

 

[kekemonster101]

Another thing that might improve the adherence of the wafer to your skin is using a barrier ring instead of paste, or vise versa. Whenever I would use the paste it always would come loose really quick and it was so hard to clean off my skin.

Barrier rings are these little moldable rings that you mold and stretch to the size of your wafer, and it can be used in place of paste. These are wonderful for me and much easier to take off your skin and clean up. I actually sometimes use a combination - I put the barrier ring on, then a tiny line of paste outside that barrier ring where it usually doesnt stick. Convatec and hollister both make them.

 

[LOSTnut]

Hey Joe, currently I use the ConvaTec moldable wafer with great success. I have used the sample from Hollister successful too but I think the ConvaTec works better for me at this point. The Eaking ring seems to work better with the wafer than the Hollister Adapt ring and the moldable wafer.
So, I will dare to just step in the shower and see if that works. Wow, that sure would be absolutely awesome.

And, I definitely agree that once you get the wafer to stick, life is sooooo much easier. I was thrilled when that finally happened.

Well, I guess that also answers the suggestion of the rings versus the paste, Keke.

 

[Terriernut]

Someday, I want to be able to take a shower without a bag on! Daring arent I??? I've tried the marshmallow thing to slow things down, but that didnt work.

I thank all of you for the replies to this, I'm going to search out some of that lovely tape. Because I cant seem to NOT have wrinkles (parastomal hernia) and showering daily is a real issue.

Misty

 

[LOSTnut]

I DID IT -- I just did what Joe said and stepped in the shower, bag and all. Got out, dried it off, got dressed and went about my way. Life is good .... for me right now! (ugh, hope I didn't jinx it)

Oh, Misty, showers without a bag ... I dream of that too. One day ... after I get a job with health insurance.

 

[Terriernut]

Go Heiki GO!!!!
Misty

 

[ameslouise]

I'm a Hollister gal and have no issues showering several days with my bag - I change it on Saturday and Wednesday and shower each day in between.

And I do shower without a bag on those days - it has to be first thing in the morning and NO COFFEE before showering a la "born free."

Misty - have you tried potato chips? NOTHING thickens my output like potato chips!!

- Ames

 

[SweetPea]

I just got an temp. ileostomy. Just finished my second week with it!

I was worried about showering as well, but I've been doing it every day, no problems with leaks.

I just dry off the bag tape square and my incision tape with the hairdryer on a low setting as soon as I get out, and haven't had any problems.

I use the moldable wafers from Convatec and they stick to my skin like glue. It's almost too sticky..I have trouble getting it off to change appliances without ripping off mah skin D:

 

[glum chump]

Hey SweetPea:

My appliance also sticks to me just a bit too well and it was making my skin raw. I ended up having to buy something that would help me take the appliance off without taking my skin off. I'm using a product called "Remove" and they come in these individual sachets and I use one to wipe along the square section of the appliance that sticks to my skin and it comes off really smoothly. Once the sticky section comes off, the mouldable wafer just lifts right off. I haven't had any issues since using Remove.

I think that most companies have some sort of remover---I know that Hollister does, but I've never used Convatec, so I don't know for sure, but I suspect they have something to help you!

At the moment, I am also using stoma powder and skin barrier wipes to help with the skin irritation that hasn't resolved itself yet.

Cheers,

Kismet

 

[Terriernut]

I use the Dansac adhesive remover. I do think most stoma supply companies carry a variety of removers. They are a godsend! Just make sure you clean the skin with a good wipe and clear water (no soap) and dry well before reapplying another appliance.

 

[Jeff D.]

For me I cut off all of the tape that comes on a Convatec wafer and use a belt to hold it in place. Before I take a shower I take a bit of tape and put it on the top of the wafer to keep the water from getting under the wafer. Usually a little bit of the outer wafer doesn't want to stick and so I use a hair dryer and make sure the whole thing is completely dry. It seems to work decent enough for me.