As far as getting up to empty your bag in the middle of the night, if you feel like you have the urge to do so, you should get up. Personally, I sleep with one hand placed on my bag and feel if I am starting to balloon; I just get up. Of course, every night is a new adventure with each bag that I have on, depending on what I have to eat that day. The bottom line is, if you feel like you should get up, you probably need to empty.
cjotl2019
Apr 23, 2025 6:09 pm
Ben38
Apr 23, 2025 6:55 pm
Yes, you're right; any newbies that don't listen to your advice and get up will soon learn the hard way. I'm lucky it's only my other end I need to get up in the night for, old age and a prostate that's seen better days.
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MeetAnOstoMate website turned out to be a lifesaver for me. I say this because, for me, this ostomy journey was a devastating event both physically and mentally.
Here, I found folks who understood my feelings even better than my family or friends could. Only a fellow ostomate can understand how you really feel.
Information sharing is key, as well as support and understanding, to ultimately bring more harmony into our ostomy life journey. I found here, virtually no ostomy questions that are not touched upon. Questions which some might feel, may be too trivial to contact a doctor about or even too shy or embarrassed to ask their own doctor about. They are all addressed here.
For me, anonymity was very helpful in seeking answers to each phase of this life changing medical and mental event. Sharing initial trauma feelings, ongoing support and finally acceptance was what I found with my membership here. I am not sure what my mental and physical attitude would be today without having found this site.
Additional benefits included: finding products and ideas to help with daily maintenance, innovative ideas and as a bonus - some great humor.
After all “laughter IS the best medicine”.
I have been a member for 3 years, an ostomate for 4 years - yes, I certainly wish I would have found it immediately after surgery but so very thankful I finally found it when I did as I truly believe it turned my troubled depression and situation into a more positive attitude and acceptance.
Sincerely,
An Ileostomate nicknamed Justbreathe 🫶🏼
TerryLT
Apr 23, 2025 9:11 pm
I often wake up with a pretty tight balloon stuck to my belly, and I often wonder just how close I've come to it being too late. Fingers crossed that never happens.
Terry
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IGGIE
Apr 24, 2025 2:15 am
G-Day cjotl2019,
I find it's like a second sense that I seem to wake up just as I need to empty.
Never ignore it.
Regards, IGGIE
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Smitty4516
Apr 25, 2025 5:35 am
I'm glad I read this. The human brain is an interesting and amazing thing. I believe that as we feel the pressure of the gas or effluent putting pressure on our abdomen, we are awakened. That our brains rewrite and adapt like this is… well, amazing.