This topic is about someone who has been managing their colostomy through daily irrigation, which they find much more convenient than using ostomy bags. However, due to a collapsing parastomal hernia, their stoma nurse has advised them to switch back to using bags. The person is hesitant to make this change and is exploring ways to continue with irrigation safely.

Here are some key points and insights from their experience:

- Irrigation offers freedom from having to constantly search for a toilet during the day and feels cleaner and less intrusive than using bags.
- Despite the nurse's advice, they plan to continue with irrigation while exploring ways to make it work with their hernia.
- The irrigation process involves a gravity-feed system where water enters through a cone, stimulating peristalsis, and the output empties into the toilet. This usually takes about an hour.
- Occasionally, they use the irrigation sleeve as an oversized bag, emptying it later if needed.
- They find irrigation less burdensome than wearing a pouch full-time, even though it requires about an hour each day.
- After irrigation, they use a small stoma cap or plug and a custom-made, tight hernia belt for support.
- They have tried various commercial hernia belts without success and eventually had a custom belt made to their specifications, which includes a wheelchair seat-belt buckle for added pressure.
- They experienced blockages with loperamide/Imodium tablets and now use the liquid form for better control.
- For those interested in irrigation, they recommend consulting a stoma nurse, watching YouTube demonstrations, and reading past forum posts for more detailed information.
- Other members of the community express their support and encourage them to keep experimenting, hoping to learn from any new methods they discover.