Bags!

Hi Jo

My husband cannot sit on the toilet to empty his bag and kneeling at the toilet can be uncomfortable. I bought a washing up tray that would fit over the sink so he can tempty his bag into an ice cream container- which he then empties down the loo. 

When we are out he does have  to kneel at the toilet. In case the floor is “unsavoury” I always have a couple of  puppy training mats in the emergency kit I carry around with us. If he is emptying his bag from this position he lines the loo with toilet paper so that it does not splash and flushes away more easily. 

In the emergency  bag I also have a change of clothes (only needed those once but I know if I don’t have them they will be needed) spare stoma bags, wet and dry wipes, adhesive spray, powder, a loo roll, a small bottle of water, antiseptic hand wipes and a deodoriser. I don’t know if you have been told but you will also be given a key which unlocks accessible toilets and an urgent card. 

I have also recently seen these on the internet- a Riksack from this site http://stomaworks.co.uk/. We have not tried it yet but thought it might solve the problem when we are flying as kneeling down then is soooo difficult. Has anybody else had experience of using one of these? 

When my husband first had his ileostomy I thought that we would not be able to travel again but here we are in Cape Town.

i am sure there will be others along to give you tips but if you need any more help don’t hesitate to get back.

Take Care

Caroline

Joellabelle

Hi and welcome to the Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support group or as I call it ""poo corner""

Emptying a bag is difficult for us men but by trial and error all becomes easier.

I have a permanent Ileostomy (6 years and counting) and the way I do it at home is.

I have a raised toilet sheet which I turn round when I need to empty and sit on it facing the bowl and let the bag dangle over the side, I should mention that I use large capacity bags so I have extra length to dangle into the bowl.

When I am out and have to use a toilet, I exercise my rights under All Disabilities are not Visible and use disabled toilets which have more room, usually cleaner and often they double up as baby change rooms which gives more space to lay things out if need be.

Back to emptying I sit on the seat as far back as I can and let the bag dangle down and empty the contents before cleaning out the throat and rolling back up to seal.

If this proves difficult as tillybuc Caroline mentions I also have in my bag a disposable bed pad to kneel on just in case the floor is wet, I just throw the pad away in the bin before I leave.

I also use a Disposal bed pad next to my skin under my underwear just in case I have ""an accident"" it easier to replace the pad than have to carry a complete change of clothes, but also have a spare pair of pants in my bag.

I have looked at the Riksack but decided against it as I thought it was helpful when doing a change when out of the house to have somewhere to hold the supplies but it's just something else to carry, anyone used one and can give me (us) more information on its use.

A Radar key stamped NKS is a must, watch out for non stamped keys as they could be a clone of the real thing and may not work.

I've emptied my bag on a plane, on a train and in many public toilets where space is limited, read cramped, without any real problems but as I say it's all down to trial and error there is no right way and there is no wrong way it's the way that works best for your partner, the important thing to remember is that no matter what your partner is doing, changing or emptying it takes as long as it takes, it's not a race to finish.

Your partner is only 5 days in and everything is quite new and seem awkward but it does get easier I promise. Try not to help with changing it is better if he can get into the habit of doing it for himself. As I mentioned at the beginning I've had mine for 6 years and my wife hasn't got the foggiest idea what's involved she knows what I use but what to do with it is my problem although my stoma nurse kept discussing it with her and she just nodded and smiled nicely to her.

I maybe lucky but to-date, and I'm  tempting fate here, I've only changed my bag once when out of the house (not including hospital stays which I've had many in the last 6 years) and that was in an airport public toilet and managed without any problems.

As this is both new to both of you no doubt you will have questions that you want to ask and I will like to emphasise to you, there is no such as a silly or daft question except the one never asked, if you're thinking it ask it I assure you that someone will have experience of it and answer you. A problem shared is a problem halved.

As his Ileostomy is temporary he will be looking forward to the reversal date and the members who have already had one are still on here and can guide you through the process, we are all here to help you with everything, don't hesitate to ask nothing is too much trouble to answer you.

If you need any help with pouches and supplies or in fact anything at all give me a shout I'm always about.

Ian aka the

Thanks Caroline.

Thanks Ian - I won’t be assisting unless it’s an emergency! 

Hi Joellabelle,

I opted for sitting back to front on the loo and emptying between the legs. Splatter was an issue, but I ended up dropping some bunched up toilet paper in first and that seemed to sort the problem.

All the best,

Yolande