Welcome, Johnny!

Finding the right appliance is tough. It's a balancing act between reliability, ease of use, personal preference, availability, cost, etc!!

Since you mentioned that you have a colostomy, have you spoken to a stoma nurse about colonic irrigation? That's something that could give you more consistency with longer periods of time between output. It does require some training, but it's a wonderful option for colostomates.

Yes, I'm visiting with an ostomy nurse more frequent than not now. We had a discussion about irrigation but it is early for this but something to consider in the future. 

Process time is about 90 mins every morning they told me. Something that has to be managed and not missed. I guess you train your bowels to go? 

Posted by: @johnny5

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I guess you train your bowels to go? 

It's not that it trains your body to go, but you're flushing out what is already in queue to exit the body 🤣 

It is a commitment, but the time between bowel movements could make it worthwhile.

Did the nurse say how long you'd have to wait before considering it?

@johnny5 Welcome to the site. I irrigate, but not regularly. Just whenever I want a stretch of time without output interruptions. You can pick whatever time of day you want to irrigate, and it may take more or less time than you’ve been told. I irrigate in the evening, and it takes me about an hour, but I always allow for at least an hour longer, (when I don’t leave the house) in case of “late returns”. I’m happy to help you with the process anytime, if you want.

Laurie

Hi Johnny, Welcome to the forum. Yep an ostomy can be a challenge at the start. But it will soon become second nature. But be put of by early day fails. Best wishes going forward 👍👍

Did the nurse say how long you'd have to wait before considering it?

about 6 months after surgery if I understood correctly.

@johnny5  ... Hi Johnny & welcome to VO! Ask whatever questions you need to ask, No question is a dumb question here! Sometimes it can take a day or two to get replies, mostly over weekends just know that you will get replies. 

i found " VO " to be an amazing place for anything I needed help with right down to choosing a pouch that suited me better & my fav, the Osto-E-Z-Vents!! Eric has a video on them as well. I binge watched Erics videos like crazy when I first stumbled on VO!  

There are several others here who have had similar issues as your dealing with. I'm sure they will surface shortly ! I know it can be hard trying to find the right pouch, try to be patient a while longer with the process & yourself. 

I found it really helped me to give my stoma a name as I became happier with what I had been given. I hope you find what you need in a good pouch! 

much appreciated 😀 

I named my stoma poopsie 😲 

Welcome, Johnny5. VeganOstomy is a wonderful place; you will enjoy learning and meeting new people. Best wishes to you. Things do settle down - your stoma Poopsie will adjust to you and you will adjust to him.  Greetings from me and Ruby.

@johnny5 Irrigation doesn't need to take 90 minutes. I do anal irrigation and it takes me about 30 minutes. When you're just starting it will take a bit longer, but I think after a few months, you'll get a routine and it won't need to take that long. Also, since you have the option to stick a bag on, you might not even need to do it every day.

welcome johnny 5,

    im 4 months out and understand how frustrating this can be.       on average i empty 15-20x a day.    my output can be extra thick to watery and everything in between depending on what i eat.     i will say if your output is always thick you may not be drinking enough water.     i live in thailand,    very hot and humid so hydration is extra important,  but its really important for us ostomates to drink at least 2 or 3 liters a day to help flush your system and keep things moving.   

    good luck with this.    it does get better.