Biliary drain bags–what to wear?

Thanks Eli, for the last two months I’ve been ordering stuff from amazon. Thank God her leakage is under control now, it was insane changing her dressing every two hours, poor thing her skin is going to take time to heal. Me and my family used to live in Aurora, ON two years ago… Beautiful county with beautiful helpful people.

Hi Mickey, sorry but this was 5 years ago and I don’t remember the name. I did just research it and can’t find anything appropriate so I would ask either the ONC or any Nurse. It was a Nurse who told us how to dress the ‘wound’ and the gel was a miracle as all the irritation left as well. If any bile is leaking it can really burn the skin.
I am sorry to hear about the Scan but you know you are with one of the best with Dr. Javle. Don’t laugh, but I would try Walmart for supplies. Teddy had trouble with the tape as well. I think there is a tape that is non-allergenic. Also check the area for Medical Supply stores to see if they are any less, or check on-line.
P.S. I bet your Pharmacist would know of the Gel.
Sending you tons of hope and best wishes.

Hi Mickey. I forgot to tell you there is a gel that can be put around the site where the drain is and it helps with the leakage. It also keeps the site from getting too irritated. For pain, sometimes the tube needs an adjustment and I would ask the ONC about it and tell him it really has become very uncomfortable for her.

I can appreciate your Mom’s concerns about clothing and being restricted to a different kind of wardrobe. I’ve been dealing with drainage bags for about 3 years now. I have a great collection of skirts with elastic waistbands for the summer. I use a small binder clip and clip the bag inside the skirt. I look for skirts everywhere I go and have found some really cute ones. I also treat myself to pedicures and new cute sandals. I’ve had 3 bags sometimes and I found anything with an elastic waistband will hide the bags. In the winter, I wear black yoga pants, longer sweaters. I also spend money on make up and coloring my hair, These are things I used to do without but now it really helps me feel pretty. I do miss my jeans and shorts but I’ve gotten used to it.

Also, I ask my doctor to shorten the tubes so I don’t have to deal with those long tubes. Ask your doctor about that. I can do it myself now. Its not hard at all just have to be sure to keep everything clean.

Betsy

Let me tell you first hand it’s a struggle, nuisance, pest to deal with the bags. My mom has two and the right one causes her too much grief since it goes in through her rib and probably pitches a nerve causing her to pop a hydrocodone every 4 hours. We are in the midst of seeing f the internal radiologist can go to the right side via the left and are waiting for that appt.

As for clothing she rarely goes out, only for her appts. When she is home she has them tucked in her pajamas, and when she goes out she uses a belt to tie it around her hips and wears long tunic tops.

Her internal stents were taken out since they were useless end of April. Make sure they get changed on time, they usually say every three months. Mom has had them since Feb, changed about 6 to 7 times due to infection/ leakage……tubes need to be flushed and changed daily. I am changing her right dressings every two hours since it’s leaking to the skin.

I’m not trying to scare you, but keep an eye on her. Mom has had a hard time with them, I’ve moved back home to help her, she’s only 60 but this disease has aged her so much. We have had them change the tubes, upsize them but the right side won’t stop leaking; mind you they are open to a bag and not capped.

Feel free to ask me any questions.

Hugs!!!

Sorry but it was my husband who had to wear the bags. He used to pin them to his underwear. Also they make a band that can tie them to your thigh. If Mom is wearing a long shirt or blouse on the inside of a skirt or pants a safety pin works great. BTW he did golf amd just wore longer shorts.