Tortureous life after Stoma Bag removal

Just a thought, would you be able to apply for a Macmillan grant for the kits?

I usually use 1/4 of the bag per 'squirt'.  The pump is further up the tube so not so fiddly. 

Sue

Hi Fudoka,

I initially tried the Peristeen system but:

a) found it difficult (and somewhat painful) to use.

b) had severe bowel cramps after using it (possibly down to me injecting too much water in per squirt) so I discontinued its use.

It was only a month or so later that I decided to try the Qufora Cone system which has proved to be very good for me for the following reasons:

i) The length of the end of the cone is shorter, so no pain (possibly due to the location of the scar tissue from the operation?).

ii) I can easily hold the cone in position with one hand (this may reduce/eliminate leakage - I have little, if any.)

iii) There's no need to use the pump, with the bag hook at a height of 6ft. above floor level, owing to the gravitational effect, the water can be regulated to flow slower/faster or stopped by use of the valve, which can be easily managed by the spare hand - I normally have 3 "injections" of about 250ml each.

After gradually injecting the water over 2-3 minutes (I use 700 ml of body temperature tapwater), I remove the cone and then having wiped off any excess lube/water (I use a few blobs of Boots Lubricating Jelly before inserting the cone), I lie on my left hand side on a bathmat on the floor for about 3-5 minutes to allow the water to flow higher into the bowel, resisting any urges to go to the loo. 

I then stand up and "do the twist" for a few seconds to slosh the water around in my bowel - this precipitates a strong urge, so I then go to the loo. I repeat this process several times in the next 10-20 minutes until eventually the urges diminish and I have completed the bowel emptying process.

After "cleaning up" I have a shower and am ready to go - the whole procedure from entering the bathroom to complete showering takes 30-50 minutes.

For the first month or so I needed to take a loperamide tablet soon after the above procedure to calm my bowel, but now my body is used to the daily routine I don't need to do so, it automatically calms itself.

I MUST EMPHASISE THAT THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE AND WHAT WORKS FOR ME - IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE - YOU MUST OF COURSE ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL(S). I AM ALSO NOT ADVOCATING QUFORA VS PERISTEEN, EVERYBODY'S CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEEDS DIFFER.

Once again I must state that this has enabled me to "turn the clock back" to where i was before my operations - I am wining/dining (no constraints), holidaying, playing squash and golf, swimming with my grandchildren etc. - I am one very lucky guy!

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder that we don't allow promotion of Facebook groups on the Community, as this goes against our Community Guidelines.

If you've got any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch (community@macmillan.org.uk) as I'm happy to help.

Best wishes,

Jazmine

Sue from Qufora has been in touch to provide the following information:

Do you have urgency and frequency of stool following closure of a stoma after low anterior resection?

This is a very common condition for many people. There are ways to relieve these symptoms. Ask to be reviewed by your surgeon or specialist nurse and they can advise how to help you.

One method is rectal irrigation (instilling some tap water to clear the rectum of stool). There are many products available on prescription for this purpose. The Qufora IrriSedo mini or Qufora IrriSedo cone system may be helpful (the Qufora IrriSedo balloon system is also available, but some health care professionals prefer to use a cone system with previous anterior resection). You need to be assessed and taught before using any of these systems.

Please note you should not need to purchase these products as they are available on prescription from your GP.

There is further information at www.myqufora.com

Hi mate - sounds a lot like what I'm going through now, 19 months into my reversal and still have really painful days both going to the loo and walking, in fact walking is almost a no no

I only found out 3 months ago that what I thought was piles turned out to be a perianal infection, and after being given various antibiotics and creams still remains the same, am awaiting lockdown to end so I can be referred for patch testing.