On average how many times do you empty your bag in a day and are you waiting till its half filled, full, 3/4...and is it a loop or an end.
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I would say about 5 times but it depends. For example if the bag has some stool and I am leaving the house I may empty it even if it isn’t needed. On the other hand if it is not convenient I may empty less. The process takes me less than a minute.
I also usually empty once in the night, maybe 80% of time. This is usually caused by gas. It is probably my biggest complaint, the filters on the bags don’t work well and so my bag often, not always balloons. I sometimes burp the bag in bed but usually get up. There are some add on manual vents but I havent tried them. This ballooning is almost only at night for me, it must have something to do with the laying down.
They say to empty at 1/3 full and this is a pretty good rule of thumb but of course there are times when this isn’t possible and it isn’t a problem for me to let it fill more.
I also usually empty once in the night, maybe 80% of time. This is usually caused by gas. It is probably my biggest complaint, the filters on the bags don’t work well and so my bag often, not always balloons. I sometimes burp the bag in bed but usually get up. There are some add on manual vents but I havent tried them. This ballooning is almost only at night for me, it must have something to do with the laying down.
They say to empty at 1/3 full and this is a pretty good rule of thumb but of course there are times when this isn’t possible and it isn’t a problem for me to let it fill more.
and are you loop or end?
I have an end ileo. I had a loop for about 7 months as part of 2 part J pouch surgery. The end ileo is definitely easier to deal with but my loop wasnt too bad and I got along OK with it.
what about the end ileo is easier to deal with?
The biggest difference I think is that the texture of the stool is generally thicker. This leads to less empty times and better wear time with less skin issues (had some with the loop, none with the end). It is just easier to seal oatmeal as opposed to water(exaggeration to make a point) Additionally, I for sure have less hydration problems.
That said, when I had the loop I had concluded that I could live with it. That made the decision to go back to an ileo easier. That many people said an end ileo was so much better than a loop, did not really play a part in my decision because my loop was OK. The fact that my end ileo is easier to manage than my loop was the icing on the cake, so to speak.
That said, when I had the loop I had concluded that I could live with it. That made the decision to go back to an ileo easier. That many people said an end ileo was so much better than a loop, did not really play a part in my decision because my loop was OK. The fact that my end ileo is easier to manage than my loop was the icing on the cake, so to speak.
about 6-8. with perm. end ileo now and jpouch totally gone, And always one of those empties is in the night.
but with jpouch disconnected ( and still in situ) and loop ileo it was 20+ with all sorts of medical intervention also.
but with jpouch disconnected ( and still in situ) and loop ileo it was 20+ with all sorts of medical intervention also.
I had entire j-pouch removed and have a perm ileo. My output varies significantly based on what I eat. You will figure out over time what thickens your output and what doesn't and then you will able to plan accordingly. I'm probably about 6-8 per 24 hrs. My output is often very liquidy (I love fruit & veggies) so I use absorbent packets in my bag (I think they are called Ile-sorbs?). Imodium can also help if you can tolerate.
I recommend emptying before bag fills to point where your wafer starts. With an ileo especially, the stool has digestive enzymes and acidic stuff in it that can cause skin problems, so I don't like to give it possible opportunity to contribute to problems.
Good luck!
I recommend emptying before bag fills to point where your wafer starts. With an ileo especially, the stool has digestive enzymes and acidic stuff in it that can cause skin problems, so I don't like to give it possible opportunity to contribute to problems.
Good luck!
Based on the responses so far I wonder what my surgeon would thing about giving me the end over the loop...whether this is temporary depends in me and how I feel once I have it.