Colostomy Irrigation: A Personal Success Story

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6591
Megan
Oct 01, 2012 2:33 pm
I just had to share this.  I just started colostomy irrigation.  I was always getting fecal impactions that were very painful.  By irrigating I don't get the impactions.  I used to take MiraLax, which would take 4-5 days to work and even then I would not be fully emptied out.  I have to say irrigation is not for everyone.  On YouTube there is a video of a man from (I think) Australia who irrigates.  His video is very informative.  Irrigation even allows me to wear a stoma cap instead of a pouch (around the house...not comfortable going out yet with just cap).  I feel like a new woman!
Bill
Oct 02, 2012 5:27 am
Hello Megan.
Welcome to the world of irrigation. As you say, it is not for everyone. However, those who persevere find it frees us up from all those irritating the problems presented by wearing bags and having little or no control on output. I would find it very hard to go back to bags and all the hassle that goes with them.  
Best wishes
Bill
Posted by: iMacG5

Hi Crossley. Ya know, I think it’s all about feelings. I don’t mean the pain feelings which could control everything. I mean the feelings inside our heads, our hearts and even our souls. I mean the feelings of who we are now compared to who we were; how we accept our situation or maybe we don’t. My wife asked how I felt and I said, “like crap”. She asked what hurt and I answered, “Nothing hurts, well, everything hurts, I don’t know, It all sucks.” That was a long time ago. You question if your feelings are normal. How normal is it to relocate your butt hole to your belly where it’s usually in the way of your belt and, you know. But that’s where we are and for lots of us we are so much better off than we were before, physically. Emotionally, psychologically, well, that might be a different story. I believe talk therapy is wonderful if we could find a real empathic or sympathetic listener. So guess what! I found MAO and began “talking” with a keyboard with some of the wisest, kindest most sympathetic and compassionate folks on the planet. Regardless of where we’ve been, lots of folks here have been there and worse places and found their way back healthier and happier. We really do help each other.
Keep “talking”,
Mike

Pinky
Oct 05, 2012 12:15 am
As my son says, irrigation is the "Shiz" (like Popeye fried chicken - you have to be an Adam Sandler fan to get that one.)

Keep up the good work!  Mine has been going well for 2.5 years now!       
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Helistens
Jul 10, 2013 1:58 pm
Very helpful
Hi"

I've been irrigating for 30 yrs and it works most of the time.  You have to train your eating habits to determine which foods & drinks cause leaks or "firings" when wearing stoma caps. Otherwise, it is a great substitute for having to wear bags all the time! Lotsa luck!
Past Member
Jun 22, 2015 8:13 pm

Well done Megan. Welcome to the world of freedom. I'm currently writing a book about irrigation with lots of tips. 

 

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