UOAA Discussion Board

Update on me 2 years out I still have a parastomal hernia but irrigation is going great, I routinely go 2 days with no output.

I have a great opportunity to spend 6 days in San Diego. Of course I'll take ostomy and irrigation supplies, but how do I hang the water bag? I'm sure some of you have tricks or advise.

Thanks In Advance,
Chuck

I've irrigated in many hotels. I've also irrigated on a live aboard dive boat, and I've even irrigated in an outfitter tent in Colorado while elk hunting!
For hotels, I have a travel kit that I put together when I started irrigating. I don't always use all of the stuff I take, but I always have it in case I need it.
I have a plastic hook that goes over the top of the bathroom door. Here's a link to one that they sell on Amazon, but you can get them at just about any general retail store....: https://www.amazon.com/InterDesign-Orga ... door+hooks

I also take an adjustable strap that has a buckle. Like what you would use to secure a sleeping bag.....: https://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Mountain ... able+strap

And, I take a carabiner with me. https://www.amazon.com/Assorted-Spring- ... =carabiner

I don't always need the door hook. In fact, I use it the least. I typically use the strap and the carabiner. I will put the strap around the shower curtain rod in the hotel room as they are usually right next to each other. Then, I will attach the carabiner to the strap. I sit on the toilet, and figure out just how far I can reach up from the toilet and still be able to reach the carabiner, and then adjust the strap to put the carabiner at that height. I have modified my carabiner so that the clip doesn't spring closed. It is easier to put the irrigation bag on that way. You don't need full closure of the carabiner....you're not hanging off the side of a mountain! When I do use the door hook, I hook the strap and the carabiner on the hook hanging from the door, and adjust the strap to the optimal operating height.

The travel irrigation kit for irrigating in an outfitter tent required a few more supplies and some redneck enginerring

Hope that helps.

David

on the advice of the group here, I to have a travel kit. I bring an over the door hook and a bungee cord (12 inches), I will now add the carabiner, thanks Dave. Sometimes I am able to hang the bag on the back of door towel hook, but it's not always close enough or high enough. I'm staying in a hotel right now and have hung my over door hook on the art work that is hanging over the commode. It puts the bag at a good height. This suggestion came from another member here. Just make sure the art is bolted to the wall. It usually is. I've had my ostomy for 2 1/2 years, still a newb, but I have only encountered 1 hotel bathroom that was not irrigation friendly and even then I figured something out.
The first thing I do after checking in is bathroom reconnaissance to formulate a plan.
Have a wonderful time!

Also...while traveling I use disposable sleeves coloplast 1003.

I have irrigated while travelling, and just used a clothes hanger on the shower rod, like I use at home. But on a recent 1-night visit, I discovered there were no hangers. I was trying to figure an alternative (we were house-sitting for friends, and I could have found something in the garage), when I realized my travel kit didn't have an irrigation bag--the one that holds the water. I can miss a day, so just put it all aside.

When I got home, I went through my travel kit and discovered there WAS in irrigation bag in there, but it was new and all folded up so I didn't recognize it. Sometimes I feel like such a space cadet. But I will add a strap or hanger of some kind to the kit so I'm not caught short again.

Some very good solutions above. I've irrigated in several hotel rooms and friends/relatives bathrooms over the past three years. I take along 3 small 12" bungee cords and have never had an issue finding somewhere to hang them. A combination of one or two bungees folded over, wrapped or just hung straight out will usually suffice. And the bungees are easy to pack.
I once had to use a water closet that didn't have a shower, sink or vent. That left me scratching my head for a minute but luckily there was a window which allowed me to hang the bungees and bag from the window's hinge.

Not to worry. You'll find something to hang the bag on. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

Murph

I will add that I too have used art work above the toilet too. But yes, make sure it is screwed into the wall, or will at least support the weight of a full irrigation bag. I have also used light fixtures that were close by as well.
I like the bungee cord idea too. I may have to add that to my kit. Those hooks allow for all sorts of hanging possibilities! Even this old dog can learn a new trick here!
"Gators" are the best!!

At the UOAA National conference in Irvine Ca. there will be lots of irrigating in the hotel going on.

Nothing can stop a determined "Gator"

I just wanted to say that I have a reservation at the hotel Irvine from 8/21 checkout 8/26 & lost my roommate if anyone wants to share with a long-time NP ostomy specialist and split the cost - contact me at Deborah.Harris3@va.gov