Exploring Ostomy Irrigation: Experiences and Advice

First of all, to all my ostomy friends who don't have the choice to irrigate, I am so sorry. I have no choice of a reversal, so I have to think of all options to make my life easy. I would like to try and find out how many of us on this site have had a chance to try, whether it was successful or not, irrigation. I believe most people in Italy irrigate (if possible). I wasn't told about irrigation; I found out about it on the internet. I feel that so many of us would not have gone through the bad times if we had known what our choices were. I work on a cancer unit 2 days a week, and I tell all of my patients who have an extra friend on our bodies about this site; it gives them hope after reading all the blogs. I look forward to a response to this. xxxxxxxxxx

Hi Carole, I did irrigate for a while, but hernias stopped that. I'm having surgery this Wednesday, the 20th. After I'm better, I'm going to do it again. It sure is a lot easier when you are in a hurry to go; you don't need all the supplies to take with you, and you make your own time when to irrigate. And for this site, like you said, it is great for people new to our world, a lot of help here. xxxxxxxx

Hope all goes well with your surgery, be thinking of you, look forward to reading of your recovery xxxx

Hi Carole, I have had the colostomy for 26 years, first on the left side, and for the past 20 years, on the right side. I too don't have a choice for reversal. For the first 6 years, I had irrigated too, but now I do not have to. I am 36 and for more than half of my life, I have had a colostomy. It's part of my life and I have adjusted to it very well. I am married; my wife takes care of me well, she takes a keen interest in the care, and we have a daughter who just turned 5. Please let me know if I can be of any help. I have invented so many new ways to deal with this. I am a business owner, do a ton of traveling, and also educate TSA while going through the security check, making them aware. Initially, I found it very difficult, but traveling is my bread and butter, and I made efforts to educate people.

Hi amitg, thanks for your reply. I have been irrigating now for just over a year and would love to hear of your inventions, anything to make life easy, although I do get on with my life now. It's been almost 3 years since I had my rectum removed; it was 4 years ago I had a temporary colostomy. I had so much pain I had no choice but to have a permanent one, not through illness but through a simple operation that went wrong. I too am married to my childhood sweetheart, 34 years this September. We have 3 grown-up children and 5 grandchildren whom I love dearly; that is why my life is for living. You will have to post a picture of your little girl on here and keep in touch. Thanks once again xxxxxxx

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Hi, I have been irrigating for 14 years every day. From set-up to put-away, the entire process takes 10-15 minutes. I have detailed instructions I wrote up if you'll send me your email.
BTW, I was not told of irrigating either and had to find out on my own.

I am totally interested in your list of instructions on irrigating. I have been irrigating for 3 years now, but it is way longer than 15 minutes; mine is like 45 minutes to an hour. I can't send you a message because I don't have full membership, but my email address is pontiac.g.to1@hotmail.com. If you could share with me, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

I also would like your instructions. I have not yet irrigated and am a little anxious about it. Been reading everything I can. The WOC nurse said I would be able to do it following instruction. Boy, does she have a lot of faith!