This topic is about a person who has found success and a new routine with daily ostomy irrigation after surviving rectal cancer. They have a permanent left-side ostomy and are still figuring out whether it is a colostomy or ileostomy. Here are some insights and advice they shared:

- After watching a helpful YouTube video and realizing their irrigation supplies were covered by their prescription, they started irrigating every morning.
- The irrigation process takes about an hour, and they feel comfortable enough to move around the house during it, wearing two reversed robes for privacy.
- They can usually wear a small stoma cap for 24 hours with minimal leakage and sometimes skip a day with little output.
- For daily wear, they use a sealed 4x4-inch adhesive band-aid. A piece of gauze over the stoma helps reduce noise, and lemon oil or zinc-oxide cream helps with odor and skin comfort.
- Irrigation has significantly reduced gas and constipation.
- For odor control during irrigation, they suggest spritzing oil on toilet water before draining the sleeve, flushing immediately, and finishing with a scented shower.
- A challenge they face is that insurance only covers four open-ended irrigation sleeves per month, and each sleeve costs over $4. They wish to use a fresh sleeve daily.
- They are looking for a "Stoma Stifler" in the U.S. to help with noise control and think it could be modified for discreet wear under a camisole.
- They have bought a Stoma Stifler but find it bulky, so they trimmed it down for occasional long outings. They are curious if a slimmer sound-proof insert is available.

Additional advice and insights include:

- To extend the life of irrigation sleeves, clean and reuse them. Fill four 1-liter bottles with hot water, adding scented hand soap to one. Rinse the sleeve during the session, then clean with the soapy water and rinse with plain water. Hang to air-dry. Replace the irrigation kit yearly as the plastic tubing can crack, and keep a spare kit.
- Irrigation is usually suitable for colostomies, not ileostomies, and requires enough healthy colon. It's important to confirm with a surgeon or stoma nurse, as some clinicians may not be aware of irrigation options. Self-advocacy is key.