Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. How often should I irrigate?
Most people irrigate their colostomy every day or every other day. This will be influenced somewhat on your past bowel habits.
Q2. What time of day should I irrigate?
It is best to irrigate about the same time every day. You can choose the time of day that works best with your schedule.
Q3. Can I use tap water to do my irrigation?
Most tap water is fine to use. If the water is safe to drink, it is generally safe for your colostomy irrigation.
Q4. How fast should the water flow into my stoma?
That will depend upon how much water you use. If you use 1000 cc (one quart) of water, it will take approximately ten minutes. If the water stops flowing you may need to reposition the cone.
Q5. What does it mean when I experience cramps during my irrigation?
It could be because the water is going into your bowel too quickly. You can use the clamp to stop the flow of water. Leave the cone in your stoma and see if the cramps resolve. Water that is too cold may also cause cramping. Removing the stoma cone and allowing the bowel to empty should relieve cramps completely. If severe cramping persists, contact your healthcare professional.
Q6. Do I need to lubricate the cone before I insert it into my stoma?
Some people find that their bowel has enough natural mucus to lubricate the cone during insertion. If you find that the cone does not slip in easily, some water-soluble lubricant on the cone tip makes this easier.
Q7. Do I need to insert the whole cone into my stoma?
No. How far the cone is inserted varies from person to person. The cone should be snug enough to prevent water from coming out of your stoma when you begin the irrigation. If you have questions, contact your healthcare professional.