| POSITIVE APECTS OF IRRIGATION |
I have a descending sigmoid colostomy which allows me to irrigate and thus exercise some control over my bowel movements. In this regard the greatest challenge has been to maintain regularity which I have achieved approximately 80% of the time. I irrigate my colostomy every day. Therefore, I imagine I have less problems with odor and gas than those who do not irrigate daily. However, this means my morning irrigation and then shower, etc. take up two hours of time -- but this is what I choose. I can’t say that my ostomy has presented any serious challenges. Perhaps a short time while learning to irrigate -- but I was soon able to function normally with only a Band-Aid covering the stoma. I didn't irrigate until after my chemo treatments. After I started irrigating maintenance was better.
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| CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF IRRIGATION |
The greatest challenge has been in keeping myself regular, so that my irrigations function properly and I won't go around with an odor. I tried not doing enemas... irrigation, but couldn't tolerate that. It's not always possible to attend anything that is scheduled too early in the morning because of the time it takes to irrigate. Problems with irrigation have always been my biggest challenge and frustration. The quality of my life otherwise has been excellent, aside from the nuisance of daily irrigation.
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| USED TO IRRIGATE, BUT QUIT |
Previously (back in the 'dark ages' of the 1970s), the challenge was the process of 'irrigation' which took 1−2 hours every day. Thankfully, this idea for treatment has passed. I had to adjust to how to use it, and learn to irrigate at first. I do not irrigate now. It wasn't too long before my bowel worked on its own. I had no control because the irrigation would not always work. Even the care person who prepared me for the surgery was not successful in the irrigation. I continued with irrigations until Kaiser person (woman) who measured my stoma for Convatec pouches said to me, "no one irrigates any more." I did not stop right then because I so strongly believed the continual washings were keeping me alive. When I finally did quit the irrigation I finally quit having the embarrassing and humiliating accidents!
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