Hi, I have had the reversal, last July, been a challenge to say the least, 

am now using an iry irrigation system, it’s changed my life, use in the morning and have no thoughts of the bathroom all day and night, it’s made by Braun, none invasive, I feel like my old self before all this cancer started 18 months ago, .

Hi, I have had the reversal, last July, been a challenge to say the least, 

am now using an iry irrigation system, it’s changed my life, use in the morning and have no thoughts of the bathroom all day and night, it’s made by Braun, none invasive, I feel like my old self before all this cancer started 18 months ago, .

Hello Turner, Thanks for the response to post. Good you resolved the Ileostomy reversal problem. Almost at my wits end now with problems after reversal and wish I had never had the operation in the first place at times. Although being informed I would not see next Christmas last year, makes you focus. I do not want to appear ungrateful for what has been achieved and I`m sure many that are suffering wish they had had the chance of stopping the Cancer or the opportunity. I am living on Loperamide and taking anything up to 15 or 18 a day some days. Having to dah to the loo 20 or 30 times in a day. Also confined to the house, for several days at a time. Then have the reverse situation when I am in severe pain, due to constipation and unable to get the balance the right.

Having had severe Diarrhoea, for almost 4 months now. This in turn has caused incontinence at times and requiring disposable underwear, particularly at nights. As well as hemorrhoids and extremely painful also.

I have seen my consultant and was informed this may last for some time, sadly but unavoidable.

Maybe will enquire about the irrigation idea.

Once again, thank you for your response

Regards Virgil

Hi Tumer 

Hope you are well  . 18 months ago  I was diagnosed it's been so tough . I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy  and then the  stoma bag  and  on 29th of  November 2018 my stoma bag  had been reversed. With little information  to me only  it's likes being in the  middle  of  sea  swimming  back against the tide.  Since reversal  I am going through hell I can't put on weight and one minute diarrhoea the  next  constipation.  How is your  irrigation  system working and how long after reversal can one use this system any advice I would be  very grateful.  Regards Cormac 

Hi,  you can use irrigion once your surgeon has checked you are healed, 

the iry system is quick and simple good to use, if you look on the internet it will show you photos,  

it is run on battery so no pumping by hand,  only inside bu about 3/4 of an inch if that, just a little ky jelly on the cone and I find a tiny bit on the anus, it slips in easily, support it by hand turn on pump the dial gives 1 to 6 I prefer about 4, use as much water as comfy to you, I use just under a litre, sit on loo about 10 mins to allow evacuation,  and you are good to go for 24 hours!  

I sympathise with you totally,, my reversal was last July, the results were so much worse than the stoma,

hours of misery in and out of the loo, scared to leave the house,  all dignity and pride out of the window! 

Of course better than dying of cancer! Try the iry when you can,it’s changed my life, I have it back! Good luck Xx

I had all the same problems, it was miserable, one day I started running to the loo at 3 pm. Until 2 am, 

have worn padded pants since the reversal,  I did at one time wish I’d kept the stoma, it was so much simpler,

however since using the Braun iry,  I honestly feel normal, like my old self, I use in the morning, and forget it till next day,  I cannot believe the difference it’s made ,

i hope you find things get easier, good luck. 

Hi Turner 

Thanks for  the  reply  . I'm having  not good up most of  the  night and all I went through  has effected my kidneys  . I also picked up  infections  along the  way and ended back in hospital  . They have suguested returning to  the  stoma but I have  come this far I would like  to  try everything before this would happen . Have you ever done pelvic floor exercises  .. I really appreciate all your adviced . 

Regards Cormac 

Hi cormac,,  so sorry your having such a hard time,  

i too had kidney problems was very bad at one point ,  I see specialist every few months now, it’s up to 40% and stable. For now,  looking back I realise how ill I felt up to th e stone reversal, I assumed it was normal,! 

The things that have changed my situation are the iry irrigation system from Braun, I get it on the nhs, 

fibregel every day, ( makes huge difference to the diarrhoea, ) and of course Imodium, 

im sure you know most of this, my reversal was last July, I haveonly  just felt normal, when I look back I realise that it was improving over the months,  but for sure the irrigation has made the biggest difference, 

i was also advised by docs to take multi minerals and vitamins, which helped a lot, 

hope you find this encouraging,, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Best regards.

Hi Turner 

Thanks  and for positive advice .. I picked up CDIF 

I was isolated  in hospital  for a month  bleeding  a lot .

I'm home now and  have  problems with  constatpation 

And hard stools make me bleed . It one way or the other  other . The have  mentioned  returning the  stoma bag  but at present  I'm not strong for another operation  as  what I eat sceem  to run out of me ..

I'm trying  to  staying positive  but it's not easy I miss getting  out my energy  levels  take a knocking on toilet  travels .

Regards Cormac 

I know it’s miserable,  I used to get icy cold after the loo , 

do try fibregel and irrigation, ask your specialist nurse that’s how I got mine, 

i do wish you well.

Hello Turner. I had my reversal in March, so very recent. I seemed to be doing well at first although slightly constipated and found I could quickly get back to walking with only one accident until I started taking Fybogel., I find it results in accidents now that I didn’t have before. You say that you still take Fybogel even with the irrigation system. Were you taking it prior to having the Braun and if so what was your experience? It says on the packet to take morning and evening with food. I have tried that and less and stopping after a few days, but nothing seems to make any difference. I am also wondering why you need to keep taking it and Loperimide with the irrigation system.

Hi,,  it's sometime since I wrote that message,  I don't take fibregel anymore, 

It's  3 years since my operation,  I still use the Braun iry and take 2  Imodium most days,  this is what was advised by my surgeon,  I try managing without both but I do get uncomfortable , and then it takes a few days to get back in my routine, .

the iry has been a blessing to me, gives me comfort and peace of mind, it's not uncomfortable to do at all, 15 minutes in the morning and I am free to go and enjoy my day without any worry.

hope you find this helpful,  good luckc