Hi Carol and friends, I'm Marsha, and I've had my ileostomy surgery for over 50+ years... You didn't make it clear "what" you wanted to irrigate with a Fleet enema.. The ostomy (intestinal tract) or the rectal stump that you have left.. I was told NEVER to give myself an enema (Fleet or otherwise) since I could damage the active bowel.. As for the rectal stump.. I had that for 4 years (after having my ostomy) and was treated with all kinds of medication using enemas. (I'd often make the mixture myself.....insert/squirt, keep it in for the required hour) and then let it out, get dressed, and go out on a date... Those were the tender years between 15-19. After 4 years of that, I was done, and fought with my parents and doctors to remove the rectum. I met with real resistance, and although the surgery didn't go well at the time (I lost bladder sensation), I've never regretted the decision.. Yes....the pressure (urge to go) is normal, as is the drainage of mucus and in my case blood... Even now with the rectum gone, I still sometimes have the urge to "go" because there are still nerves and muscles... There should not be a problem with giving yourself a Fleet enema, but it's unlikely that the rectal stump will hold all of the liquid.. To be sure, I would check with a surgeon, just for an expert opinion, since you don't know how much of the stump is left. I was doing it more than 50 years ago (prior to prepared Fleet enemas) but was following my doctor's orders.. Best of luck to you.. Marsha
For Sandy.... The consistency of the colostomy output has to do with both diet and the amount of large intestine you have left.. Meaning the more you have, the more liquid you'll absorb, and the more formed the stool.. If you have most or a lot of the large intestine removed (it used to be called a wet colostomy), the output is going to be softer, more the consistency of ileostomy output. If you wanted to experiment....try more fiber in your diet.. You might want to consider using ileostomy type pouches, since some of them are white or beige, and you don't have to "see" the brown output.. Some people (with an ileostomy) like to be able to see the condition of their stoma, and the "color" of the output...and are happy with clear pouches.. I'm not one of them. That's a personal preference.. For me....I would never have considered a revision.....since I didn't want the chance of more ulcerative colitis outbreaks... So it really depends on why you had the colostomy, to know if you're a candidate for a reversal... Best of luck to you as well.. Marsha..