Worrying about stoma bag leaks when you’re out can be overwhelming. Worst-case scenario, you could be put off going out at all. However, if you reduce the risk of it happening, you can put your mind at ease.
How to reduce the risk of stoma bag leakages
Understandably, new ostomates may feel anxious about leaking bags, particularly when they first go out socially or even back to work. It is a potentially really embarrassing situation that could be extremely distressing.
For me, I haven’t really had a fear of my bag leaking. It has never happened to me when I’m out and about, but I have experienced messy bag leaks during the night, so I can appreciate how leaks like that knock your confidence and make you anxious.
My answer to most aspects of stoma life is always: be prepared and stick to a routine. This has allowed me to stay pretty much on top of living with my stoma and I have been able to get on with my life without feeling stressed about it. My routine to avoid my stoma bag leaking includes:
Keep a regular toilet routine
Having got to understand my stoma, I know how often I need to empty my bag, and when I need to do a complete bag change. With my ileostomy, this is a lot more frequent than for a colostomy! As I drive buses for a living, my route dictates where and when I can empty my bag.
I always make use of the toilet facilities when I stop as this gives me peace of mind that my bag isn’t going to overfill, at which point leaking becomes pretty inevitable. I also manage the amount I eat throughout the day; I tend to eat little and often throughout my shifts to keep the flow steady. At home, I can eat a bit more freely as the bathroom is easily available if I need it. I always change my bag at night and choose to wear a two-piece, so I don’t have to change the base plate every time. This has the added bonus of helping with the condition of my skin.
Check your stoma regularly
It is important to keep an eye on your stoma shape and size. Weight fluctuations, for example, can alter the shape of your stoma and the stoma site. Make sure you cut your bags correctly to fit your stoma, as this impacts on the risk of leaking.
It is also worth emphasising here that trying out different products that will help you get the best fit and seal for your appliance will really help. I use an eakin freeseal®, which really gives a comfortable and efficient seal around my stoma, which I need due to my parastomal hernia, which gives me a nuisance bulge behind my stoma. Using this gives me complete confidence, as do the ModaVi bags which are stylish and smooth under clothes.
Carry an emergency kit, just in case!
Just preparing a small bag with spare stoma bags, release spray, wipes and disposal bags and carrying that with you when you go out can be really helpful. You know you won’t have to try to compromise if your appliance fails and really you can make the kit very compact.
I use a large pencil case and that works really well! I have a kit in both my and Mrs T’s cars, so I know that there are always spare products to hand when travelling. They’re so easy to pop into a bag when we’re at our destination.
At work I have gone a step further. I have a washbag and towel in my locker, and a spare uniform as well, so I know I won’t have to make an emergency trip home to change.
Preparation is key but mistakes can still happen
Of course, there’s no guarantee that a public leak will never happen, but I believe that if you’re prepared, it won’t be so bad. The important things to remember are:
- Don’t panic.
- Cover up any visible mess with a jumper, jacket or anything to hand.
- Find the closest toilet, perhaps in a shop or any other suitable place where people will be able to help you.
- Phone a friend or relative who can find you to give moral support or just give you a lift home if you are without your own transport.
Remember, it’s just poo! Yes, it’s possibly embarrassing, but not life-threatening. Put things into perspective; any one of us could experience an accident when we’re out, and I believe that a bag leak is probably one of the more insignificant accidents we could experience. We can just clean ourselves up and be alive tomorrow to tell the tale.
