Colostomy irrigation not working, need suggestions

Hello Bettyjoe.

Thank you so much for keeping us informed of your progress and thanks to all those who have contributed to this post. It is stimulating and enlightening to have someone talk us through each stage of the process as you have been doing because, like so many people who have long-since been using the technique successfully, I tend to think of the positives and how much irrigation has helped and is helping me in my everyday life 'now'.

All those little obstacles I faced at the beginning have somewhat faded from my memory and it is good for me to be reminded that it was not all plain sailing back then.

I feel sure that, with your determination and perseverance you will very soon be a long-term irrigator and reap the rewards. However, the fact that you are sharing your experiences as they happen is so important for others who might be hovering on the brink of trying.

I would encourage you to continue keeping us all informed of both the good and the bad things that happen along the way and I am really pleased to read how others are responding with their own  knowledge and experienceand encouraging you to keep going.  

Best wishes

Bill

Hello folks. Another morning of irrigating. It was much better, easier, and I felt a bit more comfortable. It's as you guys have posted, so freeing. OK, so I am still wearing a small pouch out of fear, but I am certain that that too will change given time. The water is going in more smoothly and plenty more, I must say. It took about 45 minutes, but I did have a surprise and luckily I had the pouch on. Some output came out after the fact. I would say about 10 minutes after I thought I had finished. OK, so it doesn't look appealing nor does it smell nicely, but guess what? I am flushing as soon as I see output, and I have a spray in the bathroom. I thank you and others that have supported this model, and I will do the same for those who are coming along. I will keep you posted.

Great BettyJoe... I'm so happy for you and I have made a new friend, so it's a win for both of us! Each time you will get more confident about the process... before you know it, it will be your normal way of doing things... keep us posted! :)

Yes CH, it is a pleasure.

Hello Bettyjoe. Thanks for the update and I'm so pleased it is working out for you. I forgot to mention the late afterburst, which was very remiss of me but you get used to these things and they don't seem that important anymore. If I recall correctly, it was partly because of this outflow (in my case about 15-30 minutes after the main output) that I decided to irrigate in the evening and wear the sleeve as a bag overnight. Sometimes there is a hard-ish stool in the sleeve by the morning so I think this might have been pushed through in the early hours, otherwise it would have been liquid. Very rarely, I get a small hard stool push its way out during the day, even past the stoma plug. But hey! it is not very often and it causes no inconvenience. The benefits of not having output during the day, far outweigh the occasional 'bunny-current'.

As CH says  - keep us posted. I'm really enjoying reading your posts as they are much more accurate and detailed than my own generalisations and I'm pretty sure a lot of newbies and people who might be contemplating irrigation will appreciate them just as much - even if they may not post to say so.

Best wishes

Bill

Hello folks, I wanted to give you guys an update. Irrigating is going smoothly for me. The bumps on the road are not concerning based on information presented here and researched. It's wonderful not finding myself in the bathroom constantly cleaning up. I am determined, less fearful, and more confident.

Hello Bettyjoe. That's great to hear that you are persevering and it's going okay for you. 

Now you are an 'expert' by experience, I hope to see you continuing to help others by posting your feelings and experiences on here when people have similar questions and hesitations.  

Best wishes

Bill 

Good morning Bill. I sure will. The support here for this model has been wonderful. CH, talk to you later. It's awesome literally talking to another ostomy on the phone and such a kind person. Yes indeed, great people. Bill, you are an inspiration. As I chime in and read all that you suggest, or simply support, it is very cool. You seem to have a lot of knowledge as it relates to the human experience.

Hello Bettyjoe. Thanks for your comments. Most of my personal experience with the human condition has been through exposure to it's worst elements so sometimes even I think my view of the world is somewhat negatively biased. However, every now and then I get a glimpse of people being nice to each other, even under difficult circumstances. That is why I like coming on to this site and why I try to contribute as much as I am able. Although I am acutely aware that it needs people like you and many others, to really keep the conversation alive, yet down to earth.

Best wishes

Bill

Betty Joe... I agree with Bill that there is nothing quite like experience to become an "expert" and yes... actually talking to someone can sometimes be an easier way to grasp an idea. The human experience is so unique because it's individual for each of us... you may come across something to share with someone that completely makes their life easier... better. If we can't help each other, I don't see much point to this life... continued blessings to you and we will keep in touch for sure! :)

Hello WAB, I noticed that you were giving me information as it concerns to caps and irrigating. I am still wearing my two-piece pouch system after irrigating. I am afraid to use the stoma caps right now. I do have a supply of them waiting for me to put them on LOL. I am irrigating and today I noticed that the output was more, which I really like better. If that makes any sense. Hey Bill and CH, I hope you guys are good.

Hello Bettyjoe. Thanks for continuing to post on your progress with irrigation. It reminded me that I was still wearing bags long after I was successfully irrigating, just as a precuation until my confidencewas high enough to take the next step and use a stoma plug.  Without someone like yourself reminding us of these little things, they drift into the storage vaults of the mind and seem unimportant in the scheme of things. That is why it is so important for people to post their experiences and feelings as they are happening, as it gives a much more accurate description of what we go through at the time.

Best wishes

Bill  

Hi all.

I've just been reading this post. I've had a stoma for 6 years and only just started irrigating. It's taken me at least six weeks to get used to my body's needs and getting it down to a fine art.

I do mine in the evening (got more time). I find the warmer the water, the easier it becomes. I can sometimes get away with doing it every other day. I always stand with the sleeve in the toilet. I also have a jug of water handy for flushing the sleeve.

I wish I'd done it years ago. It's great for traveling abroad, planes, work, and eating out.

Still ain't brave enough to wear a plug though.

Hello wend. Thanks for joining us in this post and teling us what you do. The more contributions, the more people get to understand.

I do mine in the evening because I always get an 'afterburst' of discharge anytime from ten minutes to hours after the main event. It's much easier in the evening to simply carry on wearing the irrigation sleeve and making it into a bag for overnight.

I tried expeimenting with leaving it for more than a day but it was a disaster, so now It's an everynight occurance for me.

I made myself a proper ostomate seat for the toilet so that I can comforatbly sit on a foam padded board and the sleeve goes out front and betwen my legs. This arrangement allows me to sit for an hour or so and busy myself typing on the laptop so that I don't get bored or resentful at having to sit there for so long. My bathroom was rearranged very early on so that I have hot and cold water from a nearby bidet and I fill up an empty container that used to squirt cleaner around  the toilet. I find that when squeezed, this works a bit like a water pistol and allows me to direct the jet to wherever needs it within the sleeve. Once it's reasonably clean, then I wash it round properly by part-filling it with water from the bottom end and swilling it round - cleaning the stoma area at the same time. When all is clean I pour a small amount of smelly stuff into the bottom end of the sleeve just to make it smell reasonable for the rest of the night. At present I'm using aftershave that I got as a freebie, but in the past I've successfully used mouthwash  and a load of proprietry deoderants - which incidentally are no better than aftershave.

I do wear a plug and only rarely is there a problem with this method  so i would not go back to bags. My problem is  that the wafers come off or the peristalsis pushes the plug out, which creates an  uncomfortable pressure from the outside. I consider these as no problems at all compared with what I was putting up with before.

Best wishes

Bill  

I too sit and it seems to work out well. I am up early by 6AM to start the process. I am doing this every other day with good results. I too am wearing a two-piece pouch system (fear) lol. I am sure that too will change. The cleaning of the sleeve isn't that difficult. I pour water as I am flushing. The odor is what I am working with. I spray, but I have heard that pouring something in the toilet will help. My bathroom isn't all that big, but I try to keep it clear so that I feel more comfortable. My grandson slept over this past weekend and I couldn't leave the door open on one of my irrigating days, and that was annoying. Otherwise, I am on my way. Hey CH, you and Bill and others have made this possible for me. Thank you, talk to you soon.

You're doing great, BettyJoe... and you will inspire others with your willingness to share your experience... paying it forward! :) CH

It's always great to hear from you. I have been feeling down lately. Sadness seems to creep in when least expected. I think my job may have a lot to do with it. I hope you are well.

Hey friend! I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling down...unfortunately, irrigation is a nice alternative to what we deal with on a daily basis, but it's not the "end all" and "be all" to all life issues...I hope that you will bounce back soon and yes...I'm sure your job can be somewhat wearing...my daughter is in a similar field and I know it can be emotionally taxing. Keep your head up and you can be proud of yourself...you've taken control of your life in a positive way and before you know it, this will be your new normal...I'm very happy for you and I hope you have a better day tomorrow! Blessings :) CH

Good morning, thanks for the encouraging words which really make a difference. Yes, better days are to come. I have been here before and have been able to get out. I am striving and looking forward to the new normal.

What a great topic. Thank you to all who have posted.

I had my stoma nearly 4 months ago, a colostomy (which sometimes behaves like an ileostomy due to not having a full colon left), and I am hoping that later I will be able to irrigate. I would enjoy the freedom that it could give me. Bettjoe, thank you for taking us on your journey with irrigation with you, much better than reading an article.

I don't know yet if I will be suitable because my output can, at times, be a bit watery, but we shall see. It may be early days yet.

Hello Beshlie...I too hope that you're a candidate for irrigation. It's sort of hard to say about an individual situation but "painting with a broad brush" I can tell you that you need to have some colon and some healthy bowel in order to irrigate...it sounds like you may be able to. For me it's life changing and I highly recommend it. This forum is full of people experiencing many of the same things and most are very willing to share...answer questions...whatever you need. If I can help in any way it would be my pleasure...blessings..CH :)

Colostomy irrigation (for descending and sigmoid colostomies only)

I sure would like to try the irrigation process, does it really help with gas?

Hello letsrock. Perhaps a little explanation wouold be worthwhile as to 'how' it helps with gas - Or at least with the gas that I have as I cannot speak for others.

Being a vegetatian,  I eat a load of stuff that generates gas so irrigation doesn't help in that sense.

However, what I have found is that once I have filled up with water so to speak, the first thing to come out is not so much water, as lots and lots of gas. My theory is that, the bubbles of gas rise to the surface, just like it would if it was not in your gut. Anyway, It always feels satisfying to know that so much gas has escaped at a time when it doesn't matter, rather than when I might be in company. After irrigation, I leave the sleave on overnight as a bag and plenty of gas continues to escape at periodic intervals. In the mornings, after a bath, I apply a stoma plug which, during the day, keeps the stoma open whilst letting any gas seep through the plug without making that embarrassing farting noise. It also has a filter so there is no smell.

This is my take on how irrigation 'helps' with gas. When I was wearing bags, the gas was so excessive, it used to fill up like a balloon and feel like it was going to burst like one as well, or suddenly take off and fly around the room, farting as it went - just as ballons do when you let them go under pressure! A bit of an exaggeration in 'fact' but not in my perception. I'm sure you get the picture. 

So, from my perspective, Irrigation helps me to 'manage' gas effectively, rather than prevent it developing.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes

Bill 

Bill,

Thanks for the lesson, I appreciate it. I see on here it varies greatly as to the time how often people irrigate. My biggest challenge would be the timing.....I was thinking about every other day and not on the weekends....not sure if it would work that way....I plan on giving it a try this fall as things slow down for the winter months...

Thanks again,

John

Your diet will determine how often you irrigate. If you eat a lot of fiber, it could be every day. A low fiber, low residue diet should get you by for 2 days. How much and what type of food you eat is the key...what goes in must come out. I wouldn't worry about the timing issue. Once you try irrigation, you will look forward to getting it done so you can be free from worry for a few days. Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

The timing was about whether to do it in the morning or evening... I guess I should get after it and get some sort of "irrigation kit" ordered... any suggestions?

It's not possible to not irrigate on weekends...if you're on an every 48-hour schedule it's just that...every 48 hours...one week it's Saturday and the next it would be Sunday. I think Coloplast has the best irrigation supplies...the bag has a temperature gauge and the water flow regulator works well...having said that I find that I really don't need the temperature regulator now...I can sort of gauge how warm I need it to be now. Good luck and always ask questions...this forum is very helpful! :) CH

Hello guys, I am irrigating every other day, but it does include weekends. That can't be avoided. My system seems to be responding, although on two occasions very little output, but it is much better. The gas, I too agree that it depends on the foods and I don't think it can be completely eliminated. At least not in my case. I am looking at my diet. I do believe that will determine the success. Thanks.

Sorry to sound ignorant but, when you irrigate does the water just go into your colon or does it go into your small intestine too?

I lost 2-3 yards of small intestine, terminal ileum and all the ascending colon. So I'm just left with transverse colon and about 4" of descending colon and my stoma is at the end near my naval. It is a colostomy which behaves like an ileostomy because of lack of enough colon. My surgeon told me this and he was right! As I understand it, from what I have read, your output needs to be firm to be able to irrigate? If so, I will be stuck with my bag.