You folks with a K-pouch or BCIR...when your output is thick..do you strain to get it out or do you irrigate?

Thanks, John

I have always strained using my stomach muscles for thick output, to help get all I can out and to move pockets of gas. I never irrigate unless it just isn't going to move no matter how much I strain. My stoma gets sore when I have to irrigate too much.

Straining is really just lightly pushing your stomach muscles once the cath is inserted. It allows the pouch to be squeezed a bit - and doesn't hurt the valve. I do this automatically and have for years with no problem.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JaniceM,

I definitely clench my abdominals to help output move along. I think the key is not to bear down too much. I try to think about as no more strain than you would use when doing a crunch (not a sit up). I do crunches so I figure the same amount of pressure when I am emptying can't hurt.

I usually start out with prune juice every morning to keep things going but when I get too thick I try pushing first but if I am either too tired or in a hurry I irrigate like crazy...as much as possible until I run clear.
I don't have a huge capacity right now so a little too full is a little too much for me...irrigating with warm water works better too...I use a push/pull motion with the syringe to mix things up in there too...
Hope this helps you..
Sharon

I've always irrigated.
Seems a whole lot better than straining and possibly causing damage somewhere else.

interesting, i've just been mulling this over today.
today is a thick day for me (so the massive breakfast of bacon-pancakes may not have helped the situation..ah well)
but i've been pushing every time i have emptied today (really bearing down). i don't necessarily like to do that, but moreso b/c i have a weak lower back, and if i really bear down, than later on, my back will be achy. i didn't really figure on perhaps straining the valve. i guess i follow others line of thinking that since the cath is already all the way in, its not really harming the valve, but this thread has brought that possibility to my attention.
in general, i detest irrigating wiht water. it just isn't a comfortable process for me. i dont know when it became so, considering i did it religiously at EACH intubation for at least a few months out from surgery. but somehow or another, i got lazy, and just never really went back.
last good irrigation i did was before my last scope in july...mainly out of courtesy for my surgeon.
i find irrigating to be awkward and cumbersome. ah well.