Seatbelts

Hmm, all your leaks occurred after extended periods of sitting. Did they all happen on bag change days? In hot weather? A seatbelt clip can definitely shift the pressure off your stoma/bag. Also, my stoma has been much weepier in hot weather and I have to be diligent with keeping the skin around it dry before I put my ring on. Otherwise, if the skin is even slightly moist, the ring won't stick and if I perhaps eat a lot of fiber that day and my output is more forceful, my bag has more of a chance of coming off. At least that's what happened with two of my leaks. I use tons of tissues (Mysticobra suggested q-tips - I love that tip) around my stoma and a hair dryer before putting my ring on. I mean CONSTANT so the skin stays dry. I also know what you mean about being hyper aware after a leak yet, at the same time, so grateful for the freedom my stoma has given me. It can truly be the best of times and the worst of times! 

Yes, 2 of the leaks happened on change days. I see what you mean about fiber making the output more forceful. That could have been the issue last weekend. I was trying to thicken up before heading out in to the heat. I was so worried about dehydration, I didn't think it would compromise the bag. That is something I will keep in mind. I did notice when I was doing my emergency change that my stoma seemed smaller, less flexible. Was hard to get a good look underneath it the way I usually do. Maybe that was a sign too?

I always use paper towels and such during my change, but I will try the q-tip thing. Can't seem to get things back under control since my leak caused some skin break down last April. Time to be an ostomy scientist and figure out which variable to change. 

The heat doesn't help, that is for sure. I'm feeling a bit lazy not working out today, but I didn't want to add sweat as a variable right now. Or maybe that is just a good excuse to sleep in!

Thanks!

I find this heat makes things tougher - output's thinner, skin's more sore. I'm changing more frequently because my skin is breaking down faster this summer. I've had to do the crusting technique and never did it once all winter or even last summer.

It seems I always have some unhappy spot or another that needs crusting. But I have super sensitive skin. Just part of the routine!

I think you are right about the seat belt.  I make sure mine is placed above my bag's wafer but had a bad time a few months ago.  I changed it in the car while my husband was driving on the interstate.  Not to be too gross but I thought it was too full but now that you've explained this I think the belt probably was the problem.  I find if I am sitting and lean over to pick something up from the floor or whatever that it puts pressure on my bag as well.

The car change sounds gross but it wasn't that bad.  I had a couple of throw blankets in the car. to cover up with and a big empty McDonalds paper cup.  I emptied it into that cup first and after pulling it off put the bag in there too.  I used a lot of paper towels to clean myself up with cold bottled water.  The bag I put on in place only lasted a day but back then I was struggling more anyway.  My husband won't ever forget that he needs to get off when I ask. Now he asks about every rest stop we go by! It was just too much of a mess to try to go in anywhere to clean off.

Boy o boy.  

Some if the stories I hear about changing. 

So far,  knock on wood,  I have been lucky.  Never had to change outside of the house.  I am sure one day I will have to.  It would be something I would have to do properly when I got home.  I wouldn't feel comfortable doing a quick change and keeping it on for days. 

As for the seat belt.  The buckle rides right on mine.  I just find it irritating.  Bothersome. But never had it cause any leaks.  Bumpy ol work truck.  In the 9 plus moths I have never had it leak.  Except for one time when I didn't have the bag snapped down.  My fault. 

Whew. I bet your husband had to open a window.  Just trying to make light of it. I know my wife would have to. 

I have very light red spots Everytime I change.  It doesn't sting and I do put powder on it.  For some reason it doesn't sting like the temporary ileo did.  Boy that thing was a bugger.  Stung my skin and had to change it often in the short time I had it.  I am guessing that the out put at that spot was more let's say corrosive than where it is now. 

Richard. 

Had to put a dog picture in. 

Just looks very comfy. 

If there is such a thing.  I would want to come back as a dog but I would have to live with my wife!  Lol. 

Wow, changing in the car, TEMarie -- if there were an Olympic event for "ostomy bag replacement,"  you'd have won the gold medal! I haven't had to do that, just a bad leak in a restaurant a few weeks after surgery and had to hold a bunch of paper towels against my belly. My stoma was spewing after what I think was a blockage. Had to drive home to change. And yes, Mysticobra, my husband had all of the car windows open in January! Missed a good concert, too.  I did have two emergency post-leak changes outside of the house after that with minimal leakage. Not terribly difficult. Public bathroom, and I had my emergency kit with me, bag, paper towels, etc.. I was a little concerned about having to teach an exercise class after them, not having given the appliance enough time to settle onto my skin, but no issues. One tiny leak at home after eating a banana and not chewing very well. Caught that one just as the ring lifted off my skin. They haven't happened in awhile and I'm familiar with the signs now.

P.S. Nice pup pic! Thanks for the a.m. smile!

Great photo of your Border Collie, Richard! We have a one year old BC who is the best dog we have ever had.  She has us trained and herds our English Setter as well as our grandchildren when they visit.  We are training her for flyball and agility and have our second dog show next weekend.  Although I miss the positive features of my j pouch, with my BCIR, I do not miss the need to know where the nearest restroom is located.  I can go through a dog training session or a dog competition without using the restroom or having an unanticipated leakage or “accident”.

Bill

That means everything.  When it's all under control. 

No better feeling. 

She is a Mini Aussie.

Shes about five.   They are like Borders though.  So much energy. 

We also have two Shelties.  Ones a rescue.  Deaf.  Cannot see well.  But she is the most polite,  serious,  dog I have ever had in my life.  She is almost 13. We got her at 11. And we have another double dilute deaf Sheltie.  Both are white.  Beautiful dogs.  And we'll mannered.  Now the Aussie.  She is a ball of energy.  

The top one we had since 6 weeks.  She is 13 also. 

Those are are kids now.  Lol. 

And being able to be with our constant, loving, furry companions, worry free, is a gift that our BCIR/ostomies have given us!

Lambiepie posted:

And being able to be with our constant, loving, furry companions, worry free, is a gift that our BCIR/ostomies have given us!

Yes.  They don't complain too much.  Except at feeding time. One knows and the other two start complaining cause I'm not getting up to feed em! 

I have had dogs all my life.  My wife too.  Our house would be empty without them.   They were there for me through all my stages.  No matter how bad I felt the Mini Aussie  knew something wasn't right.  She is so sensitive.  But I always had a hard out to pet her.  They help us in a different way that I cannot explain. 

Richard. 

P. S. 

Grandkids are pretty good too!  

No grandkids here yet! My dog Lola sleeps on our bed with us, but at the bottom of the bed. However, the sicker I got with my UC, the closer she slept to me. I used her as a barometer if I was trying to tough things out, to keep going when I should've gotten medical help. She slept right near my head one night. I woke the next morning to get ready for work and almost passed out. She knew I was bad. All those times in bed, in pain, she stayed super close. She was such a comfort to me. 

Our cat died a few weeks before my surgery in March. He was only 9 and was the best pet I have ever had. He was a large breed, Maincoon, and weighed 25 lbs. Since I've been  home all the time the last 6 years he followed me from room to room and I had to train him not to walk on my stomach. I really miss him and agree with you Lambiepie. He knew when things were worse.  When I was a kid we had 2 - 4 dogs and a cat so I am a dog lover too. 

Richard, I eat blueberries everyday in my protein smoothie. So it wasn't very stinky. I can tell when the smoothie has completely passed as the smell factor rises.��