I was rushed to hospital 2 years ago with severe abdominal pain.   I had to have a major operation for a twisted bowel and ended up with stoma bag.    I must admit I am coping quite well with the bag and after much discussion with my husband and surgeon have decided not to have the reversal done.   The thought of my bowel twisting again and experiencing the pain has put me off.    However, the social side of having a stoma bag was slightly off-putting.   Visiting friends houses for dinner and thinking my bag may start filling up use to make me uncomfortable.    After reading this site 6 months ago someone mentioned that they were irrigating their bowel and only changed their stoma bag every 24 hours.    I decided to have a go at this and have never looked back.    I contacted my Stoma nurse at the hospital who made an appointment for me to visit her to show me what to do.  

All you do is fill your bowel with warm, clear water from a pipe and your bowel empties down the loo via a long plastic bag.   The whole procedure takes between 45 mins and 90 mins and generally that it for 24 hours.    I don't wear the normal stoma bag any more just a small round one.    Honestly, if anyone is having problems with a stoma bag try irrigating.    I don't worry at all when I go out now.   I feel like I have a 'normal' life again.   

I was rushed to hospital 2 years ago with severe abdominal pain.   I had to have a major operation for a twisted bowel and ended up with stoma bag.    I must admit I am coping quite well with the bag and after much discussion with my husband and surgeon have decided not to have the reversal done.   The thought of my bowel twisting again and experiencing the pain has put me off.    However, the social side of having a stoma bag was slightly off-putting.   Visiting friends houses for dinner and thinking my bag may start filling up use to make me uncomfortable.    After reading this site 6 months ago someone mentioned that they were irrigating their bowel and only changed their stoma bag every 24 hours.    I decided to have a go at this and have never looked back.    I contacted my Stoma nurse at the hospital who made an appointment for me to visit her to show me what to do.  

All you do is fill your bowel with warm, clear water from a pipe and your bowel empties down the loo via a long plastic bag.   The whole procedure takes between 45 mins and 90 mins and generally that it for 24 hours.    I don't wear the normal stoma bag any more just a small round one.    Honestly, if anyone is having problems with a stoma bag try irrigating.    I don't worry at all when I go out now.   I feel like I have a 'normal' life again.