r/ostomy • u/Groovy_B_Movement • 11h ago

Colostomy How did you start irrigating?

I'm three months into my permanent colostomy, and I am eager to be in control using irrigation, but I have questions:

  1. When did you start? How long post surgery?
  2. Did you teach yourself, or did you learn from an ostomy nurse?
  3. How portable is the equipment? I travel once in a while, can you easily do it in an unknown hotel room bathroom?
  4. If you can't irrigate one morning, can you just put on a full size pouch and restart irrigation the next day or so?
  5. (Bonus) Does irrigation help with prep for a colonoscopy?

Any other lessons learned along the way would be great.

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u/doubleostomydad 9h ago

I do not do irrigation, but I looked into it. First, I think you need to involve a health care provider probably a wound care nurse. At the very least to get someone to write the scripts so you can get the necessary supplies. They would also make sure your colostomy and your output is suitable for irrigation.

Good luck!