Constipation with Irrigation - Seeking Advice for Pain and Bloating

Good morning to all. I have an issue I was wondering if anyone else has. It's not very often, but when it arrives, it's not fun.

I irrigate every other day. On occasion, I have consecutive irrigations with minimal output. I get what I would describe as soft constipation. After a couple of low output sessions, the pain and bloating start and continue to get worse until I have that huge output day. Doctors say no blockage, but I also have a hernia in my belly button as a result of surgeries. A lot of the pain and bloating, plus a gurgling sensation, is centered behind the belly button, in the area of the hernia.

Sorry for the long-winded inquiry!

Looking for any suggestions!

Thank you!

Clint

PS. The doctors have me taking lactulose daily for 2 weeks after this last and worst episode. After 1 week, I finally had a huge output. (Sorry)

The hernia can complicate your irrigation. You can, in some instances, gently press your hernia back into place with the flat of your palm. If you can do this, get one of the wide neoprene bands they sell at Walmart in the exercise area. Cut a hole in it at the appropriate place and size the hole to allow access to your stoma. You can then gently work your hernia back into place, then put the band on snug but not too tight. You may find that this will get you by until you can get the hernia repaired. If I irrigate and don't get a good return, irrigate again in 30 minutes. Good luck, and remember I'm not a doctor, but this method worked for me. Your results may vary, and it might take a couple of tries until you get the hang of it. 👍

A hernia will definitely interfere with the irrigation process.

It can stop the water from going in successfully and can stop the output, especially if it has had time to solidify.

The trick to a successful evacuation is getting all the water in.

Are you getting all the water in, or is it coming straight back out?

Because of my hernia, I irrigate every 12 hours. This does not allow the faeces to solidify.

Other irrigators might have some more suggestions/advice.

Keep well.

V.J.

P.S. I read somewhere that people with hernias shouldn't irrigate. Not me, I couldn't go back to the bag. Maybe when I retire.

Hello Clint. 
Thank you for your post as it gives me the opportunity to share my own recent predicament (which is much the same as yours).
I had been irrigating daily for years without too many problems (that I couldn’t sort out).
The first sign of trouble was when my hernia prevented the water from going in.
I resolved this by using a pump and an adapted anal catheter, which went in (with difficulty) past the hernia. This method worked for a few more years until I began having similar symptoms to that which you describe.
The laxatives did seem to work for a while but then the symptoms returned so I stopped using them.
There were a few months when the output was (to say the least) erratic. It would be absolutely nothing except the water one day, then the following day it would seem excessive (two days output in one).
I was sufficiently concerned to discuss this with my stoma nurse, who suggested I consider stopping irrigating because my colon had turned to ‘mush’ (her words).
My reply was that I could not envisage coping with bags again, and I would try a few things myself first. 
Meanwhile, I have readjusted to the new (different) amounts of output so, what was ‘erratic’, has now become the ‘new-normal’. 
Very recently, Terri posted a new term that I had not come across before, which was ‘colonic inertia’. This sounds a lot more ‘medical’ than ‘mush’, and it’s the term that I now use for describing what’s going on inside of me to cause the problems.
I have tinkered with all my DIY devices to suit the new set of circumstances, and so far things have settled down so that I can still irrigate (after a fashion), and I can still get away with not using bags if I want to. However, I have made a device for daily use which I clip a bag onto for added ‘safety’. So far, it has proved to be an unnecessary addition. My problem is, that I would rather have the ‘safety-net’, than suffer the potential consequences of going without it. 
I join you in apologising for the long-winded answer, which is probably of no pragmatic help to resolve your issues. However, participants on this site have often appreciated responses to posts which indicate that they are not alone in their particular predicaments.
I do hope that you find a better ‘solution’, rather than a simple ‘adjustment’ to the new circumstances, which is all I have managed to do.
If you do come across a solution, be sure to let us know!
Best wishes
Bill