Colostomy care: Organizations + support

[hisblueskies]

I need some information on colostomy care bags. A friend of mine recently had a colostomy. He is going through bags very rapidly because he insists on having a fresh bag every day. He will not budge on this. Has anyone heard of disposable bags that you change every day that are less expensive than the regular bags? Medicare will provide him with 10 bags a month. I have been searching the web and there is a product out there that has a disposable pouch liner. I'm going to send away for a free sample. Does anyone know anything about it? Thanks for your feedback.

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

Try these organizations...

United Ostomy Association, Ins (U.O.A.)

36 Executive Park Suite 120

Irvine, California

92714-6744 [phone]

http://www.uoa.org

Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society

1550 S. Coast Highway

Suite 201

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

[phone]

http://www.wocn.org

The American Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.org

Crohns' and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA)

[phone]

http://www.ccfa.org

I know that UOA has lots of chapters, and can actually arrange for a visit with another person who has an ostomy. I am sure he is just having a problem coping with the drastic change, and it seems like he fears that he will possible smell or offend someone, so he wants to keep the bags super clean. I think it's a natural reaction, and I think in time, he may adjust and relax about it. If he has the money to spend on the additional ostomy bags, just let him do it for now. He needs to do what he needs to do to make the adjustment easier for him. You can submit his name to the UOA web site for free info, that will be mailed to him. That way, you have given him some valuable resources to help him with his choices. For now, I wouldn't pressure him too much.

You are are good friend to try to help him in this way, and he is lucky to have you!

BTW, I haven't heard of the disposable bags or seen them, and I am the worst ostomy nurse in the world! I have the hardest time applying the darn things! I guess it's usually b/c in HH we get the ones with adjacent wounds, which make the wafers hard to get entirly flush with the skin. UOA can also provide tons of info about available appliances.