Late Returns

[steiconi]

The first year or so I irrigated, I got no output except when irrigating, and was able to use stoma caps.
But for the last year, I've had random output and have been wearing a drainable system.

For the last couple of months, I've been getting late returns about an hour after I "finish" irrigating. It's usually pretty liquid, maybe 1/2 cup. After that, I'm usually good until the next irrigation.

Any suggestions on knocking this back into the easily maintained zone?
More water? Less water?
could there be a kink or hernia causing this?

thanks!

[Lisa]

Hi Lee,
I'm definitely no expert, but in my experience late returns like you describe have occurred when I've infused more water than my usual ( 2 1000cc infusions )
Maybe try a little less water than you have been using?

Lisa

[steiconi]

Thanks, Lisa.
I've reduced the water some, I'll try using even less.

[Murph00]

Hey Lee

I have experienced the same issue. I cut back from 2 infusions to one at 1250. This helped considerably however there are still times when late returns occur. I can usually tell when it's going to happen. I just have a feeling of not quite being done yet and most times I'm right. Usually it's after a night out or eating something I know before hand will give me some trouble. And there are times when I just throw caution to the wind and go for it anyway.

Wearing a drainable pouch just in case, gives me peace of mind, so I wear one all the time anyway. On the rare occasion I have had a late evening return I'm thankful for wearing one and often wonder what all of you that wear stoma caps would do?

Hope you can work it out....pardon the pun,
Murph

[steiconi]

So last night, I cut back from 1500 to 1000ml, and didn't get the liquid late returns, but a little bit of solids overnight (that's an improvement). I'll keep to the lower amount and see what pattern emerges.
thanks!

[steiconi]

I think this is actually a symptom of something else. It's getting worse, running at random times--almost like I haven't irrigated at all. And, occasionally blood.

My primary care doctor told me to go see the GI doc. He's on vacation, nobody to cover for him. So my PC called GI doc on vacation, but he misunderstood the situation (thought it was proctitis) and said I should go see the GI surgeon. On Oahu, an all-day pricey flight there and back.

So I got persuasive with my PC's office and managed to get a prescription for Cipro, since that has worked with bloody diarrhea before. That might actually help with the proctitis, too. Wish me luck, or give me opinions, I haven't found one I like!

[Lisa]

Lee,
I'm sorry to hear things are getting worse. I would say get in to see the GI doc as soon as he returns, though I'm sure you're already planning that. Wish I could be more helpful. Sending you positive thoughts and energy that this resolves quickly.

[steiconi]

Well, that was WONDERFUL!
diarrhea is gone, I'm back to 24 hours without output.
haven't seen blood in a couple of weeks
AND my proctitis is SO MUCH better. I've spend thousands on Canasa in the last couple of years, and a $1 prescription cleared it up. I really hate doctors.

[Lisa]

That's great news! So glad things are better for you. It really goes to show how some times doctors don't have all the answers. Good for you for advocating and investigating things for yourself. In an ideal world you wouldn't have to, but when it comes down to it, you really know your body best.

[steiconi]

I discovered another reason why things weren't going so well.

I had noticed that a lot of the irrigation water was going into the sleeve. I assumed I had changed in some way--stoma was different, or there was some kind of blockage, and the water was slipping out too quickly.

Finally occurred to me to try a different irrigation kit. Yup, the old one was leaking water straight into the sleeve, so I was only getting about a third of my intended infusion. Sigh.