irrigation supply review

[steiconi]

What irrigation kits have you used, and how did you like them?

Here are my experiences:
Sleeves:
Convatec sleeves are great. I don't think I've used more than 5 in a year. I like the ziplock closure at the top. I have trouble getting the clip off the bottom, so I use a Hollister clip (which is a little narrower, so I have to pleat the end of the bag a tiny bit)

Hollister sleeves are slippery and seem more likely to slither out of the toilet (but that hasn't actually happened). And yikes, the top closure--twist ties!?!?! I worry they'll poke me or the bag or come undone.

I've only used a convatec infusion kit.
Pros: It's sturdy and easy to use, and I like the spinny thing that tells you water is moving. My first one is still going strong after a full year of nightly use.
Cons: the cone is so wide that it gets stopped by the ring of the sleeve, and I can have trouble getting it far enough into my retracted stoma. This is worse with an irrigation plate or if I'm wearing a 2-piece system with narrow opening.
Also, the cone has deep indentations in back which stay damp, get moldy, and are hard to clean. A solid cone would stay cleaner.

Murph has talked about irrigating through a 1-piece Coloplast system. I tried that, but either got the wrong 1-piece or my cone is bigger than his.

Murph also came up with the idea of adding a bit of clear tubing to the end of the cone so it could extend further into a 1-piece bag or recessed stoma. It occurred to me that my cone comes off the tubing, so I could just leave it off for better access. Is there a cautionary tale about not using the cone? Can you stick the tubing in too far, or maybe it just doesn't make a good seal?

Stoma Caps:
I've mostly used convatec cut to fit. My skin likes them, and the filters are usually real good--except when they aren't. I've used hundreds in the last year, and I've gotten 2 different lot numbers that had leaky filters, letting out fluid to stain clothes and sheets. Unpredictable leaks are so stressful.

So I'm trying hollister for a month. The filters don't seem as good (especially if they get wet). But the cap has an absorbent layer inside so the filter is much less likely to leak. They come precut, and only in one size (1.5" or 2", huge) and I notice irritation around the stoma if I have any output. It helps to match the bottom of the wafer hole with the bottom of the stoma, so output has to defy gravity to get to unprotected skin.

Convatec also has a jumbo stoma cap; they call it 10" but it's really more like 5". It would hold probably 4 times the volume of the regular cap. I've used them 5 or 6 times, haven't had problems.

[Jimbob]

I personally prefer the Hollister equipment. The sleeve is compatible with the flange, I always infuse with the clip attached to the bottom of the sleeve and the clip goes on pretty easily and the big thing is that I travel a lot and the water dispensing device rolls up nicely and the sleeve and the water bag and hoses all fit nicely in a quart size ziplock bag. so in a gallon bag I can put all of my ostomy supplies and they fit nicely in my brief case carry on.

I can pack for a week including a suit or a blazer in a roll on suitcase that fits in the Airlpane overhead. To me it is all about being compact.

The whirly gig on the Convatec and the Temp gauge on the Coloplast are just nice to have in my opinion.

[Lisa]

I started out with coloplast as that is what my WOCN set me up with. I liked the cone on it and the temperature gauge. It was all fine until the plastic flow control snapped off in my hand for no reason. Luckily I had ordered a convatec bag to have as back up. Learned a lesson with that. I make sure I always do have a back up. When I travel I take two setups with me. I like the roller type flow control on the convatec better, and I actually don't miss the temperature gauge. I obsess less over water temp this way. I didn't like the cone as much but I am used to it now and it makes no difference.
I use convatec sleeves and am happy with the way they work out. I just attach them with a belt now. Not even a faceplate anymore since I learned here that it wasn't necessary. I don't ever clip them since I don't leave the bathroom until I'm done.
When I travel I use coloplast dispossible sleeves so that I don't have to clean them or leave them hanging around in a hotel bathroom. Haven't tried any others.
As far as stoma caps go, I have tried hollister, convatec and coloplast. I prefer hollister because it's precut. I used to think they made slightly less rustling noise but this batch doesn't seem that way. I have only had issue with output seeping out the filter once and soiling my clothes. They are usually able to hold a fair amount of output, but I think I'm more self aware now and get myself to a bathroom quickly if I feel output. On average that happens once a month or less. No rhyme or reason to it that I can figure out.
I have also tried Ampatches. I love them as there is no plastic to hear crinkling but unexpected output will seep through fairly quickly. I save those for when I'm going to be close to home and for intimacy. They do make a non breathable type that wouldn't leak but neither does it allow gas out. You would have to peel the edge up to burp it. Haven't tried those.

[Murph00]

I'm a bit late for the party on this one. I prefer the Coloplast system mainly because of the cone. The tapered contour just feels better when inserted into the stoma and I find I get a better seal. The bags don't hold up as well though and come apart at the seams after a few months of use. I don't even look at the thermometer on it. I never trusted the readings and it seems a bit gimmicky to me. I did try the Convatec but couldn't get past the size of the cone. I just found it to big and clumsy. I also found the bag on the Coloplast kit was easier to handle.

I still don't use sleeves and continue to irrigate through the Coloplast Sensura one piece. I should note that the that neither cone, Coloplast or Convatec, will fit through the opening of the pouch. I work the opening of the pouch back to the stoma so it's sitting over the stoma with only the lip of the pouch surrounding it. I can then insert the cone far enough in to get a good seal. My stoma sticks out 1/2-3/4" so maybe that makes a difference.

I too always keep a back up kit. Actually if I include the Convatec kit I have two back ups.

Murph

[steiconi]

Thanks for explaining that, Murph.

and to follow up my earlier question:
I tried taking the cone off the tubing; it didn't make a good seal, and the infusion water just came right back out.

[Jimbob]

I would not remove the cone. It is designed to keep you from injuring your. colon.

In the early days of irrigation they just used a syringe type attachment like you see on a hot water bottle and there were instances of people damaging their colon by putting it in to far or pushing to much. Thus the cone was developed.

[Murph00]

Jimbob, That syringe type attachment sounds almost medieval. Glad I wasn't around for that.

I often think that an extra 1/2' - 1" or more of flexible tube or length on the cone would be beneficial. We are all different in so many ways I'm sure the manufacturers could easily design cones that vary in length, contour and overall size to suit our individual needs and preferences.
It would be nice to have a few options when ordering our kits.

My two scents,
Murph