Can I Continue Irrigation During Chemotherapy?

I have been irrigating for 6 years now and I have to go on a course of chemo starting next week. My stoma nurse who has since retired told me that one cannot irrigate while on chemo! I would look forward to member's comment son this, thank you in advance.

Hello Ajahn.

I have absolutely no idea about this, and look forward to some more-informed replies.

However, if it was me in this position, I would be inclined towards accepting what the stoma nurse said (because it fits in with what I would want to hear). However, I might be inclined to get a second opinion if I had any serious doubts.  On the other hand, I am the sort of guy that likes to experiment, so I'm just as likely to continue irrigating until somethig goes wrong.  I have been doing just that for the past month, with different 'issues' and so far nothing serious has gone wrong. 

The thought of having to live a life without irrigating fills me with dread and resentment  - sufficient for me to try all sorts of things to make the irrigation work for as long as possible. 

I do hope your situation works out and I also hope you let us know one way or the other.

Best wishes

Bill 

HI. Ajahn

If its any help to you, thankfully before I started irrigating I did a six month course of Chemo.(5FU).  The affect on my remaining bowel due to the chemicles was devistatingly EXPLOSIVE

day and night. I was ballooning to the point that the pouces blasted themselves off my belly, and life was terrible. I can't think what state I'd have been in if I'd been  Irrogating at the time.

I wish yoy good luck -but its worth it

D

I am not sure but I have a friend that continues to irrigate and has been on chemo for the past two years. 
She may have some diarrhea but more often constipation.  She irrigate regardless of the chemo side affects! If it was me, I would do it till I couldn't. Your medical team may be your best resource but they have no idea what you actually go through. Maybe a drainable pouch instead of a cap for safety sake. 
Good luck! 

Puppyluv

Hi Bill, well I need not have worried about the runs as it is constipation that is the problem. After the first round of Chernobyl juice i did not move for 5 days, so I thought to do an irrigation BAD MOVE! All I did was to drive the hard stool back up and then endured about 6 or 7 hours of dare I say agony until it finally came out. I will not be poisoning the rats in my shed now as I know what it must be like for them! After the second round was forewarned as to diet and what not to be eaten but still a close fought battle. 7days post second dose and still having quite big and firm lumps exiting, can be quite uncomfortable at times, but at least it,s moving, will try irrigation again in a couple of days.

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