#190974 - 08/09/10 09:04 AM
Colostomy
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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I am a 62 year old T5-T6 para 35 year post injury. Have never had any problems with bowel care until the last year or so to speak of. This year has been hell with impactions and laxatives to clear them that work whenever they please. Lately I’ve been taking 4 Bisacodyl tabs along with Milk of Mag every other day. I work full time mostly from home but go into the office a few hours each week. My VA primary care Dr. has me scheduled for a colostomy this next week (Aug 16th). This is a scary endeavor for me. Not only am I concerned about managing the colostomy but how it will affect my appearance and dress. Any comments, suggestions, words of wisdom are welcome. Thanks.
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#190983 - 08/09/10 12:26 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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paradocs
Member
Registered: 11/20/04
Posts: 2323
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I have known a few able bodied people who had one but nobody with a disability. All agreed it was a nuisance getting accustomed to it but they adjusted. I can only wish you well.
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#190987 - 08/09/10 12:50 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: paradocs]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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Thanks much, the scary part is the unknown. Maybe it won't be as bad is I imagine. At least no more 2+ hours on the toliet every other evening.
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Attitude is everything!
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#191030 - 08/10/10 12:23 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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paradocs
Member
Registered: 11/20/04
Posts: 2323
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In response to Mrs. Drublic's question about Bell's palsy, Lola wrote in part
It might be a good idea for you to ask your question there, also.
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#191036 - 08/10/10 01:16 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: paradocs]
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soda
Member
Registered: 08/26/07
Posts: 4726
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i have had a colostomy since 1990. i used to hate my colostomy, but since i have been irrigating it, i love it! now the colostomy is active when i want it to be active.
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 67.87.81.12
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#191042 - 08/10/10 03:15 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: soda]
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MrsDrublic
Member
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 926
Loc: los angeles ish
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my mister had one for a few yrs, he hated it to bits. i hear on this forum, as soda said, irrigating it helps a lot w makin it less of a pest. one thing to remember: tape!!! the mr had to make sure the medical tape was JUST right to avoid leaks, and ive seen things u can wear around u, kinda like a stretchy band, to help keep it in place and i spose hide it a bit, not sure how well they work, but the option is out there. i hope ur surgery goes well, and best of luck to u!
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#191050 - 08/10/10 07:38 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: MrsDrublic]
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Paul I
Member
Registered: 02/24/00
Posts: 7913
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I had one around 6-7 months ago and have found it to be far more convenient than traditional bowel programs. Going off and on the toilet, for me, was really hard on the butt. Let me know if you actually decide to have one.
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"...only the shadow knows"
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#191057 - 08/11/10 08:19 AM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: soda]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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I will ask about that irrigation procedure for sure. That sounds very interesting but of course I know nothing about it at this point. Thanks for the info!
I sure want to avoid leaks, MrsDrublic. I'll wear a belt and tape even duct tape if necessary. That gives me more questions to ask about. Thank you. BTW, I love your pic.
Edited by fcb (08/11/10 09:10 AM)
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#191074 - 08/11/10 03:12 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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Up North
Member
Registered: 05/02/06
Posts: 62
Loc: Kenai Alaska
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I'm a C 6 quad with a colostomy and have never regretted having one.
I’m 100% independent with my bowels. I started irrigation from leaving the hospital.
I use disposable sleeve for irrigation. If you have any questions, just ask. I agree, duct tape is my friend.
Good luck,
rc
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#191253 - 08/15/10 11:19 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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MrsDrublic
Member
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 926
Loc: los angeles ish
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I will ask about that irrigation procedure for sure. That sounds very interesting but of course I know nothing about it at this point. Thanks for the info!
I sure want to avoid leaks, MrsDrublic. I'll wear a belt and tape even duct tape if necessary. That gives me more questions to ask about. Thank you. BTW, I love your pic.
yvw and ty!(was engagement dinner).. duct tape sounds so angry, like itd tear up ur skin over time. @ UpNorth ur brave for that lol. the mr used the cloth medical tape, the kind that u can tear off in strips rather than a lonnnnnggg roll. the issue he had w leaking was he doesnt have a flat tummy, so when hed lean or whatever the folding of his belly would cause lil gaps, usually only needed 2 pieces of tape tho.
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#191254 - 08/15/10 11:55 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: MrsDrublic]
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Lola
Member
Registered: 03/17/05
Posts: 5944
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mrsD looks adorable in the pic... a doll!
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#191256 - 08/16/10 12:49 AM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: Lola]
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MrsDrublic
Member
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 926
Loc: los angeles ish
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<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 Lola <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
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#191302 - 08/17/10 08:32 AM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: MrsDrublic]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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A good looking couple for sure and very helpful to boot! I was admitted to the hosp. yesterday and have started the prep for Friday's surgery. I weighed in at 112 Lbs! so I don't have a lot of tummy and it does wrinkle when I'm sitting. I am worried about leaking.
Up North, thank you so much for your help also! I'll let you all know how goes once it's done. Thanks again to all.
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#191306 - 08/17/10 11:47 AM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: MrsDrublic]
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Up North
Member
Registered: 05/02/06
Posts: 62
Loc: Kenai Alaska
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My surgery was the best possible thing I have done post rehab to improve my quality of life. I heard about colostomy and irrigation from a fellow wheeler while doing a follow revaluation at Craig years ago. At the time others considered it taboo for whatever reason?
I have never regretted mine, not one day. I work a strange work schedule where I work 7 12 hour days with 7 days off, then 7 12 hour nights with 7 days off. Very often I get called in to cover sick leave short notice to work so any given day or week I may go on little or no sleep, eating at strange times. This funky schedule is good for paying the bills but can cause havoc with my bowels. The colostomy makes my work life doable. On my extended days off everything works very regular and almost never go in-between irrigations. As my body ages seems things get slower and slower. I do take daily fiber supplement and I drink an ounce or two of apple cider vinegar, which helps with UTI’s and keeps things moving.
The only downside of having a colostomy and doing irrigation is the costs. The bags I wear for three days in-between bowel care cost about $3.50 and sleeves are $2.50 plus so $50 bucks a month to poo but for me, it worth it, and my bowels were such a mess pre surgery I really was out of options.
Wish you well, ask if you have any question and I’ll help if I can.
Randy
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#191309 - 08/17/10 02:00 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: Up North]
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soda
Member
Registered: 08/26/07
Posts: 4726
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medicare pays for my pouches and irrigation equipment.
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#191311 - 08/17/10 02:25 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: soda]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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I met my ostomy nurse today, I had a lot of questions to ask due to info from you guys. I'm in the VA system and will be receiving my supplies from them. He says that the VA has just gotten approval for the Holister bags with a charcol filter and that I would be starting off with the 2 piece system until the stomo area heals then I can decide on the 1 or 2 peice system that best suits me. Irrigation supplies could also be supplied but not until sometime afterwards. I watched a DVD provided by Hollister and am beginning to feel a little better about what in store for me. Just 2 more days of the prep proceedure. I've been on beef broth and apple juice for 2 days now, laxitives in the mornins enemas in the evenings. Prayers accepted!
fcb (Fred)
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#191338 - 08/17/10 09:11 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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MrsDrublic
Member
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 926
Loc: los angeles ish
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good luck hun!!! and remember, after its all over with, and u have to adjust to ur body changing again, nothing else matters but ur health. when the mr had his he felt poorly about himself while naked with me, and it made me sad, bc i didnt see him any diff with or without it. hed complain bout how it looked without the bag, and having to buy bigger shirts to make room for his ostomy. but it kept him alive, and didnt stop me from loving him. <3 good luck w ur surgery and i hope u heal well.
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#191348 - 08/18/10 08:56 AM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: MrsDrublic]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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Thanks so much for your last post, I can't tell you how much that means to me. My Mrs says it won't bother her but you know "what if" is always on my mind. Your Mr is a blessed guy and I wish you both the best.
Fred
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#191391 - 08/18/10 03:23 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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MrsDrublic
Member
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 926
Loc: los angeles ish
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i know how much it means, thats why i had to say it, sometimes hearing it from an outsider helps to solidify things a bit. i know i dont know u and the mrs personally, but ive been thru it with my mr, and i know how he felt, honestly he was a hateful bastard for a long time (LOL and rightfully so, even his hate face is cute to me tho..) it took him time to get used to the idea of it not mattering to someone else even tho it bothered him to no end. ive noticed the ppl here w an ostomy dont care to voice how they emotionally dealt with the change, and i dont blame em.. but it seems fair to at least let u know, that the feelings/thoughts u do and will have are ok, and this wont change who u are, so dont let it consume u. i spent a long time tryin to get him to see that we all have things that truly bother us about ourselves no matter the magnitude of them.. other ppl love us for who we are, and dont focus on our "flaws". ur mrs is lucky to have a kind person like u in her life and im sure she knows this. i wish u all the luck possible. <3
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#191440 - 08/19/10 01:15 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: MrsDrublic]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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Thanks again for the kind words and encouragement. I’m in the 3rd day of the prep, can’t believe the amount of laxatives that’s been thru me! No one can say that I’m full of it now. I talked w/ostomy nurse again this morning and she’s in agreement that irrigation procedure we be good for my lifestyle. Things are looking up.
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#191441 - 08/19/10 01:44 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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soda
Member
Registered: 08/26/07
Posts: 4726
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give it time. irrigate daily, and go everywhere and anywhere.
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#191454 - 08/19/10 09:43 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: soda]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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That's the plan!
Thank you, soda
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#191531 - 08/21/10 04:37 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: soda]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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Surgery went well. I have a large stomo on my left side just below my ribs. Will Move on from here.
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#191544 - 08/21/10 09:33 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: soda]
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Up North
Member
Registered: 05/02/06
Posts: 62
Loc: Kenai Alaska
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You'll do great i'm sure. Glad everything went well.
rc
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#191546 - 08/22/10 06:19 AM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: Up North]
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ævory
Member
Registered: 04/04/05
Posts: 9657
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Join a local ostomy support group. It would help you feel more confident and you'll be able to swap stories and help issues amongst others who've had the colostomy operation. This comes not from what I know, personally, but what I've read and heard from others.
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#191548 - 08/22/10 06:34 AM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: ævory]
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MrsDrublic
Member
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 926
Loc: los angeles ish
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yay surgery went well!!!! yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
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#192143 - 09/02/10 03:17 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: MrsDrublic]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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I'm home and doing ok, have had some problems with pouch leakage but i'm scheduled to meet with the Ostomy Nurse next Tuesday for instructions on the irrigatation procedure. I'm looking for improvement after that.
I had lost about 20 Lbs before the surgery and i'm enjoying putting some weight back on.
Thanks again for everyones support. I'll let you know how all goes later.
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Attitude is everything!
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#192169 - 09/02/10 10:11 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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Lola
Member
Registered: 03/17/05
Posts: 5944
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thank you so much for this thread! i am thinking of having a colostomy done and reading your posts and knowing your progress will help a lot.
i am really happy for you that the surgery went well! 
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#192231 - 09/03/10 11:35 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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MrsDrublic
Member
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 926
Loc: los angeles ish
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I'm home and doing ok, have had some problems with pouch leakage but i'm scheduled to meet with the Ostomy Nurse next Tuesday for instructions on the irrigatation procedure. I'm looking for improvement after that.
I had lost about 20 Lbs before the surgery and i'm enjoying putting some weight back on.
Thanks again for everyones support. I'll let you know how all goes later.
im glad ur surgery went well!! and this might help u with ur tape placement, when u dont have the bag on, lean foreward a bit and look for where ur belly folds on either side of the ostomy. use those areas for applying ur tape. when the mr would leak it was bc the area his belly folded as he moved wasnt taped well, or at all. and also sometimes hed have to tape other areas..said sometimes depending on how full ur bowels are or if uve gained or lost a lb or two, that itd make a diff on where ur seal is on the bag. hope thas helpful, let us know how diff it is when u start to irrigate regularly
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#192241 - 09/04/10 09:02 AM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: MrsDrublic]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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Right now the leakage is no big problem. I can go about 2 days before I have a problem. The nurse says I should go from 3 to 5 days. I get a faint smell that nobody notices that alerts me that a leak in about to start. I can change tha pouch then with no damage done. On every occasion, the leak starts on the side of the stoma where I have a 6" incision from the surgery. For some reason the adhesive and tape will not stick in that area. There are no folds in my tummy in that area to worry about. Again, this is not a big problem because I can catch it early and will probably use a different pouch system when I start irragation next week and the incision continues to heal.
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#192257 - 09/04/10 01:59 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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MrsDrublic
Member
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 926
Loc: los angeles ish
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good call. im glad ur doing well yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
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#192259 - 09/04/10 02:40 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: MrsDrublic]
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Paul I
Member
Registered: 02/24/00
Posts: 7913
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fcb, if the adherence problem is on the incision perhaps there is still a bit of drainage. I use Hollister's 2 part system. To me, if the problem is in only one part I don't have to discard the whole device. In addition, once the flange, skin barrier or whatever they're calling it this week is in place you can inspect it from the outside for leakage points, add a bit of cement if it's rubbing the intestine or using powder if it's needed. On mine, it cut the opening, put a narrow bead of paste around the opening, press it on, check it out, do the rest of the adhesive area then snap on the bag. I usually get 3-5 days from an installation but shower more often which takes them off.
Good luck. Paul I
Edited by Paul I (09/04/10 02:40 PM)
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#192264 - 09/04/10 06:20 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: Paul I]
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soda
Member
Registered: 08/26/07
Posts: 4726
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if you begin irrigation daily and are consistent, chances are you won't need a system--maybe a lil' cap or tiny pouch just in case.
Edited by soda (09/04/10 06:21 PM)
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#192268 - 09/04/10 08:23 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: soda]
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Paul I
Member
Registered: 02/24/00
Posts: 7913
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I do need to look into that. I do have a prolapse which may send me back under the knife.
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"...only the shadow knows"
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#192486 - 09/10/10 01:11 PM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: Paul I]
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fcb
Junior Member
Registered: 06/25/10
Posts: 15
Loc: S C, Irmo
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I've begun irrigation and it's "THE WAY TO GO"! I've had some problems with getting the correct supplies from the VA and once those issues are resolved I'll be good to go.
For anyone following this, by irrigating you do not have to worry about the bag filling and being burdoned with emptying it during the day and I've not passed much gas either after I've started irrigating. I do appreicate all the info that I've received that lead me in this direction.
I was concerned about having to use a 2 peice system which seems mandatory to for irrigation but that is working out ok too. I was worried about the 2 parts popping lose as I bend and move around but with hardly anything in the bag I don't believe that would be a big problem even if it did.
Thanks again for all the help and let me know if I'm able to share any information for anyone considering a colostomy.
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#192555 - 09/13/10 12:38 AM
Re: Colostomy
[Re: fcb]
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MrsDrublic
Member
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 926
Loc: los angeles ish
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YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
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