Just started Irrigation ... can anyone help please?

Hi Ewok,

That's a shame that your irrigation isn't going as planned or hoped for. But you must keep going! Your large output could be nothing to do with irrigation - it might just be something didn't agree with you, or a wee bug. Ideally you should be irrigating at the same time each day so that the bowels get into a routine. Was your water at the right temperature? (Baby bath temp is a good easy way to decide!). I've been irrigating for quite a few years now, and sometimes you just have to admit that no matter what you do, the water just isn't going to go in. Perhaps the water wouldn't go in because of all that pooh already in the tubes? Who knows! We never will! But don't give up hope - tomorrow's a new day, a new irrigation. Although, if you've had a lot of output today, you may not get a lot tomorrow!

Linda :-)

Thanks @loobyloo2207. I think the output may have been something I'd eaten, water temp just under 35c I'm a bit frightened to go much  higher. Yesterday was a bit cooler too. Also frightened to push the cone in too much.   This has got to work. I'm not giving up. It's a huge amount of time in the bathroom and I still can't sit comfortably even though I'm almost 6 months post Elape. How can I make the time pass? I'm gonna  have the cleanest bathroom on the planet! Xx

Hi Ewok,

Whilst the base instructions on irrigation are given, you'll find your own routine. My routine is that when I complete the water input, I usually know if there is much more to come, and I just sit and wait, it's become some 'me' time. I don't read a book/magazine, watch the iplayer, catch up on emails, none of that. Sometimes, I even put a fresh pouch on and lay on my bed for another 20 mins, and if no further output, I know I'm done. The important thing is that you do what's right for you! I irrigate first thing in the morning and that sets me up for the rest of the day - from the time I start setting up, til I'm completely finished (including that 20 mins in my bed), it's an hour. A golden hour for the confidence that it gives me! Just keep in with it, it will all settle down and you'll wonder what the fuss was all about!

Linda x :-)

Hi Ewok

I can't give much helpful advice as I've yet to start irrigating, but I have joined another online forum and read lots of tips there so that I can be as prepared as possible for my start date later this month.  The advice I've read is that you need to be as relaxed as possible and also well-hydrated. And it does seem that sometimes the bowel system does not co-operate as one would wish!

Good luck and I hope you get some sort of control set up.  Those people who are successful say it gives them a whole new lease of life.  (And I quite like the sound of Linda's "golden hour" )

Liz x

Aw thanks Camelializ ... its been a bit tough this week, so we're giving pinky and perky a day off and me too. Yes totally agree I need lots of distractions. Hydrated absolutely. X