Seeking Advice on Irrigation with a Diverting Colostomy

I have questions and concerns about irrigation.

Are there people who actually have to do it, or is it a matter of personal preference?

I have a diverting colostomy, with no colon removed, just rerouted.

I think it's a Hartman's Pouch.

Things I've tried are Miralax, prune juice.  I just don't empty, and I am ashamed to admit, I am terrified of being told to irrigate. There is some pain in my left groin.

I am not allowed to go back to that surgeon, and there were a lot of questions she would never answer.

Irrigation and blockages were 2 of those questions.

Are there other alternatives to irrigation if one cannot do it?

Also, when I was at another colo rectal Dr.'s office, she reached in the stoma, and it was painful when she got to a certain point. She said she felt no hernias or blockages.

I am sorry that I am a big baby, but there are no support groups anywhere near here.

After I had the ostomy and had more problems, my friends basically up and left me.

Hello Mis010fit,

Sorry to hear about your friends and you present predicament regarding irrigation.

Everyone seems to have different problems and approaches to overcome them. Thus, I suspect that anyone answering this that isn't an ostomy 'professional' will suggest that you discuss the problem with an ostomy nurse or a doctor.  We can give you the benefit of our own experiences but that does not mean to say that it will necessarily fit with your own situation.

As I understand it there is no obligation to irrigate. Some people simply cannot do it because their conditions do not allow it .

In the UK there are only about 2% of people who do so. In other countries the percentage is very much higher. When I enquired as to why this might be so, I was told it was probably due to the fact that we in the UK get our equipment (diposable bags and drains) free of charge on the NHS, whereas elsewhere people have to pay for them.  Irrigation is apparently a cheaper approach!

For my part I would like to try to reassure you and thoroughly recommend irrigation. It has never been painful for me and it is certainly no more messy than continually emptying bags. In fact I would go so far as to say that the most painful part was when the stoma nurse was exploring the stoma with her finger to explain to me where would be best to direct the flow of water. After that there was no pain at all.

Sometimes we are prone to worrying about things we have not experienced yet, which, when tried, eventually turn out to be not so bad after all.

There is no reason why you shouldn't give up irigation once you have tried it - so why not give it a go!

best wishes

Bill

Hi Mis, I'm a new irrigator (about 1 month) thanks to KarenM on this site , who took the time to explain it to me

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My suggestion would be to find a stoma nurse, who could tell you if you can irrigate,and walk you through the procedure and get you set up with the appropriate equiptment.

If you go on youtube there are videos which explain it well, the best one is a New Zealander.

Cheers Bob

here is the you tube link mentioned.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14kbuw1fU8





i cant add much to these excellent repies. i irrigate and have for quite some time.

" i will be incharge of my life and not my ostomy" that is why you should irrigate.

there is no pain. BEFORE you try it ASK your doctor or nurse IF you qualify, not everyone does. WHAT do you have to loose???

the potential gain is more freedom to live life...now how hard is that decsion??

if you need help contact myself or anyone here on this forum that has experience with it, i`m sure they would be glad to help. good luck. mmsh

Hi. I didn't catch wich part you were irrigating.  



The Hartman's pouch does deed to be irrigated at least twice a year to clean it out.  If you get a build up it could rupture to the abdominal cavity rather then exit the anus. Not good, so flush.



Your stoma may or may not need irrigating.  It is not recommended for IBD (Crohns or UC) because it could irritate the intestines, which then will cause the cascade effect of worsening issues.



For other issues irrigation may be good.  Some people can train their stoma to not empty until being irrigated.  This allows them to wear a stoma cap all day, as opposed to a baggy.



Good luck,

Marcella

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