Ostomy Bag Gone Amuck

[Redicy10]

My Hollister ostomy bag pancakes on stoma and prevents bag from operating properly. Hence it blows up and comes apart in the most inopportune times. My hernia prevents me from putting the bag on properly. I need help from someone else. Does anyone have these problems?

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Redicy10,

Thank You for posting on Colon Cancer Connected. I do not have any knowledge on that, but I will post it on one of my other cancer sites and see if anyone can be of help for you. Also, maybe someone else on this site may offer some advice as well.

I'll be in touch.

Tom

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Redicy10 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thank you Tom. I will keep checking in

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Redicy10,

Here is the feedback I got from my ostomy friends:👍😁

1. In my experience pancakes are caused by the stool being too thick to flow into the pouch. I would suggest trying to make the stools thinner. This may include drinking more water, eating foods with a laxative quality and cutting down on dietary fiber.

2. He may need a convex flange. Personally never liked Hollister appliances for this exact issue. I use coloplast and have not had that issue for years.

3. Try a little pam sprayed where its pancaking or buy the Coloplast Lubricated Deodorant to try and help it slide down when it happens. I've become accustomed to checking everytime I wake up at night too and slide stuff along its away if its pancaking.

Even when I get up after sitting for a while. I give everything a little push down when it starts to cake up. Use a lubriacatiing adhesive inside the bag and then push turds down whenever possible.

4. Convatec makes one that's designed for this issue. Also coloplast with accordion flange works for me. I liked convatec but I'm allergic to their adhesive. Convatec model I use is natura 421642. 5 years now with it. (see pic below)

love me the Natura by Convatec, its the go-to 2-piece for me when I use those over the 1-piece closed

also remind your friend that he can call the 800 number for manufacturers and they will happily send samples to try and see if a different product will work better. No cost!

5. Just some more tips from Ostomate! I have found a few things that could benefit to the Challenge. If the adhesive it’s not on meaning the hole that has been cut the size of the ostomy maybe even too small or it’s not connected and sealed very well. That could cause the pancaking to happen! So A few little steps might help. I cut my opening on my adhesive to the exact size of my stoma, before applying it I make sure I have to shave any hair or whiskers off around the stomach itself and that is after washing the area with soap and water. Once I do that I also wipe around the stoma on the skin making sure it’s nice and smooth, and I wipe it around with alcohol wipes that helps remove any skin oil that would cause the adhesive, To easily come off. Then I also use the stoma adhesive paste, that I applied around and then he said that has a convex edging around the circle that seems to help as well it depends on how inverted your stoma may be. The last thing I would do is making sure that I keep the patch as empty as much as possible to prevent overflowing and pressure building up from gas that leads to pancake. That is so frustrating because you have to remove the holes get up and replace the whole new adhesive and patch and before you know it you have skin that is starting to break down. When I touch my adhesive my adhesive as well stay on for up to 5 to 6 days but I noticed that whenever I’ve had it on that many days the Patra start kind of even getting kind of smelly I had to change that as well I have a whole different technique when I clean my pads but takes time it takes practice before you know you’ll get it under control I still have times where I have pancake king but I just deal with it and I always carry myself a small bag that my ostomy care kit as an emergency. Good luck and I hope it works well for you buddy!

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[Redicy10]

Thank you. We will be taking all of your suggestions under considerations. One of my main obstacles seems to be the hernia that i have and i was wondering if you have or know of anyone who can make some recommendations on this issue. In the mean time I will look into what you recommended. Respectfully Phil

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Redicy10]

Hi Phil ... Probably a face to face with the nurse would be best. There is hernia and then there's ostomy and then there's your situation of dealing with both. To truly understand it would be to see it first. I'm sure they can help you best.

[Redicy10 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

yes, understand but first where you say nurse is this a ostomy nurse (which I assume ) is how would I find one? Before there was a group that I attended with a nurse, but this seemed to be for the purpose of allowing a rep from a supply come and try to sell their supplies. this is what I didn't want, I wanted to ask questions of the nurse / other patients. I was told the rep needed their time, well waited till after meeting to ask questions and was told " they" had to wrap up and go home. SO i looked for another nurse ,but none in the Las Vegas area. If you know of any please let me know. I have been looking for long time about this.

Thank You,

RESPECT phil

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Redicy10]

Just checked ... there is an Ostomy Nurse and that's where you should probably start. I'd first try whatever outfit gave you the ostomy. Yeah, you don't want any sales presentation.

Another place to start is with a patient advocate. They should have a department dedicated to just that. Patient advocate. Patient Guide. They should be able to direct you to where you need to go and who you need to see.

Wherever you got your ostomy should be able to connect you to either of those areas (ostomy nurse / patient advocate) to get you some help.

[Redicy10 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

thank you, i will check with the hospital and the doctor where procedure was done about the nurse. going to recall provider about a advocate to see if they will be of assistance to me.

respect.....phil

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Redicy10]

What is the hospital? Maybe I can dig around a little also.

[Redicy10 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

It was St Rose Martin Hospital in Las Vegas. Thank you for checking.