I have a colostomy, I use Sensura Mio Click 2-piece drainage pouches and have always emptied standing at the loo. But the time is fast approaching when I will be unable to stand for long enough and I'll have to find a way of emptying while seated in my wheelchair. Can anyone advise me on the best way to do this without making a mess, such as recommend a suitable receptacle, given that my output is usually fairly loose and sometimes liquid. (I do try to control the consistency with diet or Immodium, with varying g degrees of success.) I want to be prepared as I am dreading this.
Hi Catgirl2
I’m really sorry to read your post, and understand your concerns to some extent as I’m in a wheelchair myself and have 2 stomas to deal with.
However, at home I’m currently able to stand just long enough to empty my urostomy bag in the loo, though I’m now struggling to manage even that. I use a perching stool in the bathroom loaned to me from the Red Cross so I find that helpful, but I appreciate I can actually stand-although only for a very,very short time.
I have a colostomy in addition to my urostomy and I find that I don’t often have very loose output, unlike yourself, so things might be easier to manage for me. I used to use a sensura mio one piece drainable bag after I had my surgery, but for the last few years I’ve been using a Salts confidence B closed bag which I find much neater. and easier to manage. I didn’t like drainable bags at all, and much prefer a closed bag-less messy and quick to change.
When I’m out, travelling or in a place with a disabled loo, I’ve always changed while sitting in my chair. I typically wear elasticated waist leggings, and can pull them down in the chair sufficiently with my underwear. I use kitchen roll-the strongest kind- and spread out a few pieces on my thigh tucked under my bag before I take it off. Before I remove the pouch, I put the waste bag in place to catch everything, with the pouch resting inside it on top of the pieces of kitchen roll. I have plenty kitchen roll at the ready and then change the pouch as quickly as possible! Then everything in the bag is tied up and I dispose of it in the nappy/waste bin after cleaning my skin and putting on a fresh pouch.
I wonder if you’ve considered changing the type of bag you use? Maybe getting some free samples online and trying them out while seated? Are you still able to contact a stoma nurse through your hospital or stoma supply company? They might have some suggestions for you if they’ve dealt with disabled ostomates.
I wasn’t in a wheelchair when I had my surgery so it’s been a learning curve for me to adapt to being chair bound. It’s just an added stress to having stomas, but I hope you can find a solution which works for you.
Sarah xx
