Learning Ostomy » Colostomy Bag » More really basic questions about colostomies
More really basic questions about colostomies
Question:
My original ET nurse told me that sitting on the toilet and emptying the pouch into the bowl was the easiest but I soon discovered that, like you said kneeling in front seems to be a lot easier! It does seem a little wierd but how many people are going to see you using the bathroom? Your spouse, children, etc? They will understand. As far as how often you should empty, Whenever you think. You will get to know when you need to empty it, for me it is about 3 times a day at work, midmorning, after lunch, and again about two hours later. I have had my ostomy for about three years now and have only needed to go home twice from work becuase of a, ummm, personal problem. :) Good luck with your new friend. On 12 May 1998 07:50:19 GMT, lg1…@aol.com (LG1111) wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I’ve had my colostomy for only 2 weeks, and I’ve only been away from the ostomy >nurse for 4-5 days. Now, I’m finding that I have so many practical questions >to ask. So far, this news group has been invaluable. >First, what it the best position to be in when I empty the bag? I’m finding >that if I kneel at the toilet bowl, then I can just empty it directly into the >bowl without creating big splashes, but it does seem weird. What do other >people do? To use a basin or anything else, would only seem to make things >smelly. >My other question concerns how often you empty the bag. While I’m home, >whenever I notice that there’s stool in the bag, I empty it. But I’ll be going >back to work in a few weeks, and I can’t imagine that it will be comfortable >letting the bag fill all day. So, when I go to work, do I take a full set of >supplies, like flush bottles, etc? >Really, any help is GREATLY appreciated >Lee
Response:
In article <355869b8.2186…@news.foxinternet.net>, salat…@foxinternet.net (Denny Salatino) writes:
|> On 12 May 1998 07:50:19 GMT, lg1…@aol.com (LG1111) wrote: |> |> >I’ve had my colostomy for only 2 weeks, and I’ve only been away from the ostomy |> >nurse for 4-5 days. Now, I’m finding that I have so many practical questions |> >to ask. So far, this news group has been invaluable. |> > |> >First, what it the best position to be in when I empty the bag? I’m finding |> >that if I kneel at the toilet bowl, then I can just empty it directly into the |> >bowl without creating big splashes, but it does seem weird. What do other |> >people do? To use a basin or anything else, would only seem to make things |> >smelly. |> > |> >My other question concerns how often you empty the bag. While I’m home, |> >whenever I notice that there’s stool in the bag, ///snip/// |> >Lee |> ***************** |> Lee, if you put some paper in the toilet first, it will slow down the |> splashing bit. I do mine in a standing position, but I take the |> appliance off to do it and empty it through the top or faceplate end. |> wipe that off and put it back on. if you use a 2 piece appliance you |> can do that. |> I have an Ileostomy and empty it when it is about 1/2 full or a little |> less. |> Denny. Hi, most people have what is called the standard bowl on their toilets, if you can afford it try to get an elongated bowl. I recommend it for the following reasons: 1) there is less water in the bowl and there is a dry area to aim the contents that really restricts the splashing. 2) if you are skinny, it is very easy to sit back and empty between your legs Now since I am classified as BIG, I sit on a chair in front of the toilet and empty into the elongated bowl, at the same time I empty I hit the flush, this gives a fast moving stream that is less likly to spash as well. — ======================================================================== Austin Hummel email: ahum…@siemens-psc.com Siemens Power System Control Phone: (612)-536-4403 FAX : (612)-536-4947 ========================================================================
Response:
I have been back to work about a month. I find that I need to empty right before lunch and again in the late afternoon. I try to use the restroom about 1/2 before the lunch rush and then again before people start leaving. I empty the pouch by sitting on the toilet the way I did before and letting it empty between my legs. I use a water bottle with a little water before I start to empty so that it empties faster and cleaner. I try to rinse the pouch afterward. It seems to stop leaking and make it easier to empty the next time (the cuff is cleaner). Personal choice . . . but I like it that way. I have a package of stuff I take into the restroom with me in case I need to do repairs. My water bottle is in it. The people at my office know about the details of my surgery. No one asks stupid questions and only one person has asked much in terms of detail. I find that having the ostomy is simple compared to the UC.
Response:
When emptying, I sit down more on the left side (I’m an ileostomist), have my legs apart and let the pouch hang down over the inside of the loo (so it doesn’t splash), if the poo is looking decidely sticky I put loo paper down first and aim straight for the water. Mark.
Response:
I have a colostomy since 9/96 and find it ‘empties’ usually right after breakfast and coffee. Since the stool is pasty, I usually place a paper towel in the waistband of my underwear while standing so nothing drips on my clothes and fill the bag with water from the sink to rinse and empty into the toilet. If you fill up during work and do not have a private bathroom there, I think it would be advisable to carry an extra appliance with you to change from. Good luck with going back to work.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->First, what it the best position to be in when I empty the bag? I’m finding >that if I kneel at the toilet bowl, then I can just empty it directly into >the >bowl without creating big splashes, but it does seem weird. What do other >people do? To use a basin or anything else, would only seem to make things >smelly. >My other question concerns how often you empty the bag. While I’m home, >whenever I notice that there’s stool in the bag, I empty it. But I’ll be >going >back to work in a few weeks, and I can’t imagine that it will be comfortable >letting the bag fill all day. So, when I go to work, do I take a full set of >supplies, like flush bottles, etc? >Really, any help is GREATLY appreciated >Lee
Lee, If your stoma is below the waistline you should be able to sit on the toilet as you always did to empty the pouch, just scoot back further on the seat so that there is room to lower the tail of the pouch between your legs, undo the clip, and ‘eject’ the contents. Some people even sit on the seat backwards to empty and find this way better. It’s really just whatever works best for you. As for the emptying during the day, you will find that you pay less attention to it than you do now as time goes on. It will settle down and get into a kind of a schedule also, so you’ll kinda know when to expect to need to empty during the day. As for the cleaning stuff, I started out carrying all that stuff around too, but soon got over thinking I had to "clean" the pouch out every time I emptied it. I empty my pouch after my shower in the morning, then I wash it out with the squirt bottle a couple of times till it is nice and cleaned, then I add the M-9 drops, close it up and I’m good till it needs emptying again, say in the afternoon. But at that emptying I just empty and clean the inch at the top that extends beyond the clip, I clean with wet-ones when I’m at home, and with toilet paper when I’m in a public restroom. I now only carry with me a spare pouch, a spare clip, and a tiny bottle of M-9 drops which I add to the pouch after EACH emptying, they work!!! Try to stay as natural as you can in your bowel habits at work or at home. In other words, if you needed to relieve yourself before the ostomy surgery, what did you do? You just went to the bathroom, right? Did you clean way up into your rectum? Well, I never did either, so I figure the pouch is now my rectum and if I start out each morning with a clean ‘rectum’ that is good enough. It will all start to be second nature to you soon and you’ll find it’s just not that big of a deal if you don’t let it be. Have a great day, Joy
Response:
Hi, LG1111, I refer my learned friend to a message from LG1111 to All on 12/05/98 L> First, what it the best position to be in when I empty the bag? Whatever you feel most comfortable with – you’ll find your own way. I don’t know whether you’re a him or a her, as Lee can be either, but as a man I stand at the toilet bowl as if I were having a pee, open the clip and let my output drain into the bowl. I sometimes put some paper into the bowl to minimise splashback. I know some folk kneel, but I wouldn’t find it comfortable. A also know a lady who carried a jug with her. She empties into the jug, pours from jug into toilet bowl, and rinses the jug under the flush, with a final rinse in the sink. I could see myself doing that in my own bathroom, but not in a public restroom! b…@craybbs.co.uk Bill Hayles. Sysop of The Cray BBS http://www.craybbs.co.uk 0181 300 5971 & 0181 302 7250
Response:
Well I am back from surgery *its been three weeks today* and things are going well. I’ve got a bunch of supplies and I have been using the two piece system by convatec so far with a great deal of success. I personally sit on the toilet and empty the appliance but my stoma is placed rather low (which is really great for me with clothes). To avoid splashing (as most people have suggested inthe past) I just drop 3 or 4 pieces of kleenex or toilet paper in the bowl and things are fine. I was just curious how many people use a flush bottle? As far as frequncy I empty about 3 times a day. morning noon and just before bed. But of course I am still on the low residue diet and my intake isn’t too high. I can see needing to empty more frequently as my appetite increases. Most people have told me that about an hour after they eat they get a great deal of output and need to empty. MAybe my system is still whacked out but I find that I don’t get much output until 4 or 5 hours after I eat. Some of my friends with ostomies think my system is weird but *Shrug* that’s where I am at. Just want to thank everyone for their support. I am surprised how fast I have adjusted to rarely going to ehe washroom. I thought I Would have a difficult time adjusting from the persepective that pre-surgery the bulk of my thought life was where are teh washrooms..do I need one, what is my stomach doing etc.etc. I feel so much calmer now. It’s as wonderful as I was expecting it to be. As I have said before….I wish I didn’t have to have an ostomy but the life it is now letting me live is wonderful!!! Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -In article <1998051207501901.DAA18…@ladder01.news.aol.com>, lg1…@aol.com (LG1111) writes: >I’ve had my colostomy for only 2 weeks, and I’ve only been away from the ostomy >nurse for 4-5 days. Now, I’m finding that I have so many practical questions >to ask. So far, this news group has been invaluable. >First, what it the best position to be in when I empty the bag? I’m finding >that if I kneel at the toilet bowl, then I can just empty it directly into the >bowl without creating big splashes, but it does seem weird. What do other >people do? To use a basin or anything else, would only seem to make things >smelly. >My other question concerns how often you empty the bag. While I’m home, >whenever I notice that there’s stool in the bag, I empty it. But I’ll be going >back to work in a few weeks, and I can’t imagine that it will be comfortable >letting the bag fill all day. So, when I go to work, do I take a full set of >supplies, like flush bottles, etc? >Really, any help is GREATLY appreciated >Lee
Response:
Way to go Chris. What a great attitude you have. Keep up the good spirits and I’m sure you will be just fine. Warm regards, Jim
Response:
I’ve had my colostomy for only 2 weeks, and I’ve only been away from the ostomy nurse for 4-5 days. Now, I’m finding that I have so many practical questions to ask. So far, this news group has been invaluable. First, what it the best position to be in when I empty the bag? I’m finding that if I kneel at the toilet bowl, then I can just empty it directly into the bowl without creating big splashes, but it does seem weird. What do other people do? To use a basin or anything else, would only seem to make things smelly. My other question concerns how often you empty the bag. While I’m home, whenever I notice that there’s stool in the bag, I empty it. But I’ll be going back to work in a few weeks, and I can’t imagine that it will be comfortable letting the bag fill all day. So, when I go to work, do I take a full set of supplies, like flush bottles, etc? Really, any help is GREATLY appreciated Lee
Response:
On 12 May 1998 07:50:19 GMT, lg1…@aol.com (LG1111) wrote: >I’ve had my colostomy for only 2 weeks, and I’ve only been away from the ostomy >nurse for 4-5 days. Now, I’m finding that I have so many practical questions >to ask. So far, this news group has been invaluable. >First, what it the best position to be in when I empty the bag? I’m finding >that if I kneel at the toilet bowl, then I can just empty it directly into the >bowl without creating big splashes, but it does seem weird. What do other >people do? To use a basin or anything else, would only seem to make things >smelly. >My other question concerns how often you empty the bag. While I’m home, >whenever I notice that there’s stool in the bag, ///snip/// >Lee
***************** Lee, if you put some paper in the toilet first, it will slow down the splashing bit. I do mine in a standing position, but I take the appliance off to do it and empty it through the top or faceplate end. wipe that off and put it back on. if you use a 2 piece appliance you can do that. I have an Ileostomy and empty it when it is about 1/2 full or a little less. Denny.
Response:
Unless the contents of your bag are going to remain liquid you may find using a closed pouch better than a drainable one, I found as a very busy person at home and work that a two piece appliance is also better as changing becomes simpler. Regards, Martin Hasker. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -LG1111 wrote in message <1998051207501901.DAA18…@ladder01.news.aol.com>… >I’ve had my colostomy for only 2 weeks, and I’ve only been away from the ostomy >nurse for 4-5 days. Now, I’m finding that I have so many practical questions >to ask. So far, this news group has been invaluable. >First, what it the best position to be in when I empty the bag? I’m finding >that if I kneel at the toilet bowl, then I can just empty it directly into the >bowl without creating big splashes, but it does seem weird. What do other >people do? To use a basin or anything else, would only seem to make things >smelly. >My other question concerns how often you empty the bag. While I’m home, >whenever I notice that there’s stool in the bag, I empty it. But I’ll be going >back to work in a few weeks, and I can’t imagine that it will be comfortable >letting the bag fill all day. So, when I go to work, do I take a full set of >supplies, like flush bottles, etc? >Really, any help is GREATLY appreciated >Lee