tic tacs in the ostomy bag?

[debzak]

So I haven't tried this yet, but my ostomy nurse told me in november that some people put a tic tac into their bag to help with the odor. Does this really work? If so, do you put one in every time you empty it? I tend to empty mine every 3 hours or so, except at night. I have an ileostomy untl my reversal in july.

Debbi

[BrownBagger]

I've never done it, either, but I'm told that it works. Can't hurt.

[pearlgirl]

Have you checked out http://www.ostomy.org? It's been a while since B had his, but I remember there were quite a few good suggestions on that site. I seem to remember the TicTac trick, but it's not one B tried., so I can't attest to its effectiveness.

[texazgal]

Haven't tried it personally, but heard of people doing it. Guessing you would have to use one with every empty. Another thing that DOES work is a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. Just keep it away from the stoma as it could be harmful. In other words, only use during day when you can keep it in the bottom of the pouch.

[tammylayne]

I used tic tacs, and they were ok, although I found I needed to put at least 6 in to make any difference. What really worked for me was mouthwash. My ostomy store actually recommended it. I was told I could put anything in my bag that I would put in my mouth. After every empty I would add a good capfull. Things went from my family not using the washroom for an hour after me to being able to go right in. I also found it great for when I had to empty at work, as we only have single toilet washrooms. I never had to worry. I would just buy those little 2 dose Scope bottles, the "sample" size and I could keep it refilled and in my purse with no worries of it emptying. Worked like a charm!

I know some people tried this and thought it just left a minty poop smell but you can give it a try and see if it works for you. I found it to be a cheap fix, and my family agreed that it worked and I trusted their noses to let me know.

Good luck to you!!

[Staci's team]

I recall Staci's WOCN telling her about the mouthwash trick as well -- with the same "warning" that it's best to do when you know you'll be able to keep it in the bottom of the bag so that it doesn't actually come in contact with the stoma. She heard about this around the time she started irrigating, so unfortunately we can't tell you if it works or not -- since she's been irrigating, she doesn't normally have any output into the bag. Hope others can help give you some good ideas!


Chris

[BrownBagger]

There's a product called M90 that you can spray in the air after you drain the bag. It works pretty well--tends to kill the smell. Nice if you're visiting someone's house or in a public place where the smell might be an issue.

[Rob in PA]

A spray bottle of Poo-pourri. I kid you not! Google it. QVC sells it, my wife bought it for me and works great, not an overpowering perfume smell. It is more of a citrus smell. Works good for spraying in the toilet too for those that eventually get a reversal. U spray it in toilet before you go or, dump your bag.

Rob