I've been irrigating for about six years, but I seem to be getting off schedule.
I usually irrigate around 9 pm, and that was fine for years, but lately, I've been getting significant "earlies," sometimes a full pouch, around 5 or 6 pm.
I don't really want to irrigate so early. How can I reset things?
Do you think skipping an irrigation and just dealing with normal output for a day would change things? I hate dealing with normal output.
Maybe fasting for a week. I could lose some weight! Not gonna happen, especially this time of year.
Any suggestions?
Retraining?
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Re: Retraining?
Last year I went cold turkey for 3 months because my irrigation sessions were getting too long.
After restarting I had better results for a short time before returning the prior normal.
I am guessing that as our bodies age there will always be changes to the digestive system function.
MikeM
After restarting I had better results for a short time before returning the prior normal.
I am guessing that as our bodies age there will always be changes to the digestive system function.
MikeM
Colostomy, A/P Feb 2006 for Stage 1 CRC
Re: Retraining?
Thanks, Mike.
I'm kind of afraid to stop irrigating, even though it's not giving me the results it used to. Maybe I should just try it.
I'm kind of afraid to stop irrigating, even though it's not giving me the results it used to. Maybe I should just try it.
Lee
I am not my disease.
I am not my disease.
Re: Retraining?
This past year, I went for about 2-3 months with less than desired results. I was having a lot of trouble getting the water to infuse... I don't know what happened, but one day, it stopped being an issue and I was able to resume normal, effective irrigation. That said, my weight had increased during the pandemic, and once I got back to a closer to normal routine, that is when my irrigations seemed to straighten out. So, mine may have been more of a function of overall weight as opposed to age... Who knows?! As Jimbob says, it's an interesting hobby for sure!
David
David
stage III rectal CA 12/08 - colostomy 3/09
"Gatoring since 2010"
Psalms 91:2
"Gatoring since 2010"
Psalms 91:2
Re: Retraining?
I didn't irrigate last night, was kind of worried I'd be up and down, but it was quiet all night and day until about 6 pm. That's a huge improvement--the night before, the pouch filled twice.
Lots of output with tonight's irrigation, hoping for a quiet night.
Lots of output with tonight's irrigation, hoping for a quiet night.
Lee
I am not my disease.
I am not my disease.
Re: Retraining?
My schedule for years has typically been Monday, Wednesday, Friday around 8AM. Periodically it has to shift for travel or early work meetings, so once in awhile I would do it the night before. As of late, I am getting more and more early output as well, annoying me as well for a non-empty bag (supply cost goes up hah). I might try putting more water in next week and see if that helps flush more out possibly. My diet is always fluctuating, so hard to pin point to anything beyond a few knowns I mostly avoid.
Ewings Sarcoma: 1996; G-tube: 1997; Cecostomy: 1998-99; Colostomy: ~2000; Irrigator: 2013-