New to irrigation and I need advice

[EllieG]

I started irrigating the end of March. Most days things work ok, but I've had an issue I'm not sure how to solve. I know the angle to insert the cone and usually get the water to flow in okay. I've been able to infuse about 750-1000 one time. I have been experiencing a blowout of water under my wafer and out of the edges of the tape. It looks like my stoma is shrinking below the edge of the wafer.

I tried using a belt attached to the pouch, but still had a blowout this morning.

Any suggestions of how to avoid these blowouts?

I also sometimes have late returns in the later afternoon. Irrigating has definitely helped improve my QOL, and I want to continue!

Thanks!
Ellie

[steiconi]

sounds like you have a recessed or flush stoma?
I have the same problem. I use a plastic tube to "set" my wafer when I first apply it, then use the tube again before irrigating to reduce leakage.
Do you use a convex wafer? that might help.

And I'd rather have a blowout while irrigating than while out and about!

[steiconi]

Also, do you know about stoma caps? They're very small, nondrainable, 1-piece pouches worn by folks who have little or nor output between irrigations.

You can get a plate that snaps onto the irrigation sleeve instead of a wafer, and you wear a belt. I believe this works best for folks with outies, not so well for my flush stoma.

[EllieG]

Hi Lee!
Thanks for your answer to my post! I have been using less water, around 500-750 and the blowouts have decreased. I've had two days in a row without any output for 24 hours.

My stoma isn't recessed, it's about 1/2" high. The opening is not in the center, but lower, near the bottom. I do use convex wafers with an Eakin slim ring.

[ot dave]

I infuse 1500cc of water on 3 separate infusions. Sometimes, the water will come out with such force that I will go the blowouts you describe. When I feel some hard cramping, I will ease the cone out to try and reduce the splash and the force. If you hold the cone in during those contractions of the bowel, it diverts the water directly under your flange, so if you can feel it coming, pull the cone out as quickly as possible to avoid the water diversion.
Hope that helps/makes sense.

David