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Tiffany Explains (Sh)It All...


As you may have guessed, this post is about the ostomy supplies I use - from different bags, to creams and sprays, this is what I'm currently using. I'll also show you how I store some of my supplies, please bear in mind I am incredibly unorganised!

For me, like a lot of other ostomates (people who have ostomies - ileostomies, colostomies, urostomies) it's been a case of trial and error trying to find the right ostomy pouch/bag and combination of extra supplies like rings. It's actually on going for me as the adhesive on the bags i have less leakages with cause an allergic reaction to my peristomal skin, but... they cause less leakages. I know my leakages occur because of a dip to the right of my stoma, which is where I've put on weight since by surgery in June. My (fantastic) stoma nurse and I are still working on it - suggestions are welcome if you've had this issue. We've tried various rings and convex bags.

Anyway... let's get to it. Most of these items are included in my prescription which I order monthly, some are complimentary products from Charter (my prescription ordering service) and some are extras I've paid for to manage an ulcer I have beneath my stoma, and to manage the perianal fistula I have.

From top left we have: Dansac X-Tra Strips, Hollister convex bag, Coloplast Sensura Mio convex two piece system (convex flex barrier and drainable pouch), Dansac Tre soft convex, hand wipes, Coloplast Brava mouldable rings, dry wipes, Dansac skin protector wipes, Trio Elisse barrier wipes, Coloplast Brava powder, Coloplast Brava barrier cream, Trio Elite adhesive remover spray, black nappy sacks, Aquacel silver gauze dressing, Tegaderm transparent film dressing, non-sterile non-woven dressing.

These are the Hollister convex bags which I use
most of the time during the week - they are the
most comfortable bag I've found but probably the most retro style. The adhesive is like a material plaster which skins to my skin great and feels really secure. I do not like the opening on these, I find it difficult when I have thicker output. These bags sounds like you're wearing a crisp packet - honestly they're so noisy, but most of the time, I'm the only person that sees my stoma/ostomy pouch so I'm not too worried how it looks.


These are my "back up" bags - the Dansac Tre soft convex. I really want to like these as they're great for my skin, however, as the baseplate is a lot smaller than the Hollister I don't feel as secure wearing them. Before putting them on I have to warm them up with a hairdryer, which if you need to change your bag in a public toilet isn't possible. If I don't heat it, it doesn't stick. I did try the Tre seals as well, however, they didn't stick well to my skin so I still had leaks under the base plate. There bags are so soft though!



So, with the bag leakages, I realised part of my problem was that I could NEVER get my bag on in the right place - I have a round belly since putting on a lot of weight since surgery and I can't get the right angle to see under my stoma. I realised that it might be helpful to try a two piece.

My stoma nurse arranged for some samples to be sent to me - I was sent two types by Coloplast (one of which is this, the Sensura Mio click system), one by Dansac and I think one by Convatec? I tried the Dansac and Convatec ones but they didn't have a viewing option and I dunno about any other ostomates, but I HATE not being able to look in on my lil Merlin and see how he's doing, and look at my poop? My problem with Coloplast is the adhesive HATES my skin (or vice versa)  and I'm allergic to it. I know this because the original bags given to me when I got my stoma were the flat base Sensura Mio and my skin was flaring up like my eczema does. It was very itchy which made wearing it super uncomfortable and meant I would scratch at it.

As it had been a few months and I was desperate to try and get a grasp on these under base plate leaks, I tried the Sensura Mio click convex (above)- it does still irritate my skin but not as much. If I only wear it for a day or two of the week and wear the Hollister bag for the rest of the week to give my skin a break it's fine. A two piece system is definitely better for me - I can place the base plate around my stoma easily and make sure it's secure and then click the pouch into place.

In addition to the ostomy pouches there's a number of different products ostomates need to work with them - a good adhesive remover spray - I choose the Trio Elite and a good barrier wipe/spray. I use the wipes as they're easier for me and I've got a few Dansac ones but have recently started using the Trio Elisse (they smell nice and I get less of a reaction to the bag adhesive using them). I've not tried many different sprays or wipes, but the Dansac ones originally prescribed to me worked well, I just got a trial of the trio products and liked these better. I also use the Brava barrier cream for when my skin is really bad, and the Brava stoma powder on that pesky ulcer I have and if I get any sores/broken skin (it soaks up moisture). Along with these I use the Brava mouldable rings - they're thinner and work better with convex bags, but the Hollister adapt rings are more secure and I wish they did these thinner.

If I'm using the Dansac bags, which have the small base plate, I also use these Dansac strips, which are effectively extenders so it feels more secure. I've used the Coloplast ones before - but again, they caused a reaction, though I did prefer them and found them easier to peel off the backing.

All of the products so far - so pouches, base plates, strips, sprays, wipes, rings, cream and powder are all included in my prescription. Different districts in the UK and prescriptions allow people to order different amounts - I know some people are limited to like two sprays per month, and if you're changing your bag daily or twice daily like I know some people are, this isn't enough. It's really frustrating because these people are them expected to pay for extras from the pharmacy and these sprays are like £8 a can.

There are a few extras I pay for - I'm not sure if I can get them prescribed, and I should really check but I have the memory of a sieve. To be honest, the non-sterile non-woven gauze (which I use when my perianal fistula is super active and leaking a lot) was actually only £1.68 on Amazon a few months ago so I got loads, and since my infliximab/azathrioprine combination therapy has been working, I don't use them as much.

As I've mentioned I have an ulcer which sometimes appears underneath my stoma - my stoma nurse and I have NO idea how it come up there, it just appeared one day and it was so painful. It sometimes bleeds, but my consultant and stoma nurse aren't too concerned about it, though I am gonna show my surgeon when I see him in a few months as it's not supposed to be there. Currently what I'm using to combat this is Aquacel silver gauze - which is EXPENSIVE, and tegaderm film, I'm kind of making a make-shit waterproof plaster which I have to cut to size each time, then put the ring on it, then the ostomy pouch. I'm trying to protect it from leakages (because poop is acidic, yo - and ya don't want poop in an ulcer), sometimes, the leakages do get under there, but it's mostly protected. I just make sure to clean it well.

Storage time! 

When Coloplast sent me samples, they sent every thing in individual plastic wallets and y'know, I'm pretty self conscious about single use plastics - considering I have NO CHOICE but to use them to survive (I'd love to invent eco-friendly stoma supplies but I do not have the brain for it). I was gonna throw them out, but then I realised, I could semi-organise my bedroom ostomy supplies!

I keep an emergency kit in my hand bag, all of my main supplies in another room, and keep a small storage bag in my room for my bag changes - when these run low, I top them up from my main supplies, but, I'm very unorganised. I would have all different kinds of bags, half used sprays, odd bags, odd dry wipes etc everywhere, so I decided to take control. Now I use these sample bags to keep separate my bags, wipes, rings, dry wipes and nappy sacks. My prescription service Charter sends complimentary dry wipes, hand wipes and nappy sacks (which we use to discreetly dispose of our erm... used pouches). I then put all of these individual bags into my bag supplied to me by the hospital when I first got my stoma, which also has one of my stoma nurses' cards in. I also keep my period products in here because otherwise they're loose everywhere. This blue bag is also what I pack supplies in when I go on holiday, this goes in my suitcase and I carry extras on my person.

I'm pretty sure that's everything - if anyone has any questions, please ask, whether it's to do with supplies or stoma life in general, or something unrelated! Oh, and if anyone has a fix for the under the base plate leaks please get in touch!

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I was planning to do a "no buy" year - I lasted until last week. My depression took full hold and I popped into Superdrug to get a hair mask a friend recommended but they had a few deals so I bought a few things - everything was in an offer or on sale. Then I popped into New Look and Primark as I needed some basics like pants and socks. I'm going to continue with buying stuff minimally or with clothing second hand/from charity shop - it's better for the environment and my debt concerns.

Here's what I got from Superdrug and some skin/hair care from Primark too.

The hair mask my friend recommended is the Palmer's Natural Fusions Chia Seed & Argan Oil one - it's in the centre of the image to the left of the screen in a black and floral packet. It's cruelty free and vegan (clearly labelled) as well as boasting no sulphates, parabens, phthlates, mineral oil and it's gluten free too! The mask promises to deeply repair hair and boost hydration. They're £2.99 but currently in an offer with some other products where if you buy one, you get a second product half price so I got two. There's quite a lot in there, my hair is about shoulder length but quite thin and fine, so I used about half a packet, I could probably use a lot less and just put it on the ends. It has made my hair feel heavenly so I fully recommend.

Next offer (and a bit of a hack) - when you buy 3 skincare products, you get a free gift. The gift is a choice of two Jiinju Korean products either a face & lip mask duo or a sheet mask duo. It's one per transaction, however, you can do two transactions if you want both. They are clearly labelled vegan and cruelty free, as well as gluten free and sulphate free! I didn't really wanna buy stuff I didn't need and I recently tried some of their 99p face masks which I loved, upon checking I saw these were included in the offer for the free gift, result! Most of the 99p face masks are 3 for 2, sooo in total, 5 facemasks for £1.98. Not ALL of the Superdrug face masks are vegan, however all of the ones I bought here are. I got the avocado clay mask, deep sea purifying clay mask, cucumber cooling clay mask, charcoal peel-off mask, orange and black lava exfoliating mask and the sugar and spice self heating mask. I haven't tried most of these but I recently tried the orange and black lava one and it made my skin feel great, and I loved the feeling of the self heating mask (plus they both both smelled amazing).

I wanted to try the Naturally Radiant 2 in 1 Moisturiser and Serum (on the left) and the new Complete Cleanser  (centre) - my Vitamin E moisture mask is running low and I've not cleansed in months. Most Superdrug own brand facial  skin care products are better than half price at the moment. I've tried both and either one of them, or the combination of both is drying my skin out, so I'm gonna try again next week with just one at a time.

When I was in Primark I picked up the 2 pack of reusable cleansing mitts, one side is like a soft flannel and the other is for exfoliating. You don't need to use anything except water to remove make up (though I'd use a little make up remover for mascara and eyeliner but it takes everything else off with ease). I think they were around £2 for the both which is fantastic. They're easily washable by hand with soap and water, or pop in the washing machine. I am terrible and never take my make-up off but I have been with these.

They also had a coconut hair mask in Primark for 60p(!!!). My dark circles just continue to get worse and I saw these soothing eye patches or £1 I expect maybe two or three uses... there are 15 treatments. All Primark beauty is cruelty-free but not all of it is vegan - I haven't checked these items yet but I will let you know when I do (or if anyone reads this and knows, please let me know). 

In New Look they have GROOVY CHICK BANG ON THE DOOR SOCKS. I am so excited by these. Most socks in New Look are 3 for £5 and I very nearly bought three pairs (instead I just got some boring black and green ones). They also have Groovy Chick fluffy socks and trainer socks in Primark for a couple of quid.

Finally, but by no means least - when I was at the counter in Superdrug they had 100ml bottles of one of my favourite perfumes - Nude by Rihanna, for £20. One of my Paris Hilton tops has broken, and the other has run out, so I needed a new perfume anyway. It's so soft and delicate and I just love it. Also, Rihanna is fucking gorgeous. 

That's it pretty much - it looks like A LOT, but realistically, without the socks, it came to around £40 including a 100ml bottle of perfume which will last me months. Very affordable. I'm off to do the Jiinju face and lip mask xo





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Hey-ooooh! I've decided to resurrect this lil ole blog and start posting again. Posts will be sporadic as I'm trying to pay off debts and start saving so I won't be buying things as frivolously as I used to. This is a small life update for those that don't follow me on social media.

It's been about 8 months since I blogged and somethings have changed. Here's a bullet point list:
  • I had my ileostomy surgery on June 14th 2018 - I was going to do some "preparing for hospital posts", but I forgot. Surgery went really well, St Mark's are amazing, Prof Hart and Mr Tozer are amazing
  • Since September I've been having infliximab infusions (infliximab is a TNF blocker, essentially a chemotherapy) and I started azathioprine this month
  • I did Veganuary and "no buy" January - I actually lasted up until last week with the no buy. 
  • I started going to the guy in November and working with a personal trainer in January
  • I've signed up to the 10K London Walk-It for Crohn's & Colitis UK - you can sponsor me through just giving here
  • I've put on a good amount of weight since my surgery and feel general much better. My mental health is my main problem, it's a daily struggle but hey ho
  • Still chronically single lol
I think that's about it - I've got some Crohn's/ileostomy posts planned and some skincare ones too, but if there's anything you're particularly interested in, hit me up! xo


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Hey! I realised that I never updated on me getting my ileostomy dates though!

I had my pre-op assessment on 31st May and my op date for ileostomy surgery is 14th June (so....this week)! This will be followed up biological drug treatment.

Mr Tozer is also gonna have a little look around as I have fistulas tracts that he isn't too sure where they go at the moment.

Sadly, I've been really bad with the abscess, fistulas draining and my back being awful, so I have been signed off work since end of April until (currently) 1st week of July. This is putting me under great financial strain, and really my mental health/loneliness.

I'm currently still on prednisolone - 15mg, I tried going down to 10mg last week but I was so ill. I'm also on metronidazle and ciprofloxacin and these seem to be helping a lot.

My Crohn's symptoms aren't actually "that bad" at the moment - it's the abscess, fistulas and lower back pain that are doing me in.

I'm really excited, but also extremely nervous about this surgery. My main anxiety is that it won't work, and I won't be any better off than I am now. I've never spent any more than a few hours in a hospital - let alone over night.

As I'll be having the surgery at St Mark's in Harrow, which is quite far from home, my family won't be able to visit and I'll be in for my Nan's birthday and Father's Day.

Because the hospital is so far, I've been appointed a more local stoma nurse who is coming to visit on Wednesday, so that's exciting!

I am extremely thankful to my family and friends, who have been nothing but supportive and reassuring. I don't even just mean people I "know" - I include all of my online friends, especially my fellow IBD and ostomates and all of the various spoonies! I'm really not sure what I would do without this community - the strength, courage, honesty and determination is magnificent.

I will update while I'm in hospital and recovery, I just really haven't felt like blogging much to be honest, but I need to get it all out too.

Peace & love xxx
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Tiffany - 29 - Essex
Cruelty free & Crohn's Diseased

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