One of my consulting surgeons has recommended (passionately) that I learn to irrigate my bowel. He said I can "train" my stoma—after breakfast, flush my bowel with very warm water, empty into an irrigation appliance, and he says I would be "good to go," meaning effluent-free for the day, needing only a patch. He insists this is possible and would liberate me from using a pouch, at least when I am routinely at home or close to home. Anyone out there doing this? I am scared to try it, fearing a shit storm. I am too scared to shower without my pouch. Tell me...
BlazeHuber
Feb 09, 2025 11:08 pm
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Missb
Feb 10, 2025 1:49 am
Reply to aTraveler
I don't know much about it, but I heard you have to do it at the same time every day, and it takes about an hour. There is someone here that does it, keeps posting, and you might get more information. I Google a lot of what I need to know about things, and this is a very good place for answers.
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Maried
Feb 10, 2025 5:56 am
I did it the first ten years with my colostomy. I stopped after I became pregnant and when my children were small because it was very time-consuming. I found now if I just eat less food, the less stool I have. On the weekends, I eat more. Weekdays during workdays, my meals are small and simple, so I usually empty once a day. If I eat a lot of food, I empty 2 to 3 times a day.
I would give it a try. It was nice having an empty bag. I would do it in the evening and then take a shower. Kind of a messy procedure; you are giving yourself an enema with plain warm water. It will sit in your colon for about 10 minutes, then shoot out like a cannon of shit. If you decide to move forward, make sure you work with an ostomy nurse the first time.
Bill
Feb 10, 2025 8:33 am
Hello BlazeHuber.
I have been irrigating for years, both pre and post-stoma, and would not hesitate to recommend people trying it.
It does take time to do but if it works for you there will be many benefits in terms of the ‘freedom’ from output during the day.
I irrigate in the evening and use the irrigation sleeve folded up and clipped on as a bag overnight.
During the day I have my own system, but as there is mostly no output, it would not matter much what you wear.
Nothing at all is lost by giving irrigation a try and if it is not suitable for you, then you can always revert back to using a bag.
Best wishes
Bill
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