Question:

I have a friend in Montreal who has had a colostomy since August 2022 (for stool only). It was intended to be temporary just for three months but due to repeated appointment delays and poor follow-up, his doctor eventually marked him as released without notice. Since then, he’s had no medical support.

The pouches he’s using need to be changed every 1 to 2 hours at night, which prevents him from sleeping. He’s been struggling with insomnia for almost two years. More recently, he has started blacking out during routine activities like sitting down or brushing his teeth. He fell and hit his head last night during one of these episodes.

I’m trying to help and, in doing some research, I learned that different types and sizes of ostomy bags exist. I suspect he was not properly informed about his options.

Are there pouching systems that would allow him to sleep more comfortably at night? And where in Montreal can he go to get proper guidance, either from a specialized clinic or organization?

Answer:

I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s experience—it sounds incredibly difficult and concerning.

Yes, there are different types and styles of ostomy pouches available, and a poorly fitted system can absolutely cause frequent issues like leaking or needing constant changes. For someone with a colostomy, most stool output is more formed, and the pouch should generally be able to last several hours or more—especially overnight.

A night drainage system is typically used with ileostomies or urostomies (where the output is liquid), so it may not be appropriate for your friend’s colostomy. Instead, the issue may be that his appliance type or fit is not ideal, or that he’s not using the best system for his specific stoma and output type.

I recommend reaching out to a knowledgeable medical supply store in Montreal. One highly regarded option is Montreal Ostomy, which has experience in guiding people with ostomies on appliance selection. Their staff may be able to provide better product options or direct you to someone who can offer more in-depth support.

Here is their website:Homemontrealostomy.com

It would also be helpful for your friend to consult with a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOC), if possible. An NSWOC can assess his stoma, pouch fit, and overall health concerns, and suggest the most appropriate pouching system.

Your friend is lucky to have someone like you looking out for him. We hope this information leads to better comfort and quality of life for him.

Answered by

Karen Bruton
RN BScN MCISc-WH WOCC(C), Registered Nurse
Medical and Lifestyle Advisory Committee
Ostomy Canada Society