larger/longer bags available for colonoscopy prep?

Hi All,

Apologize for posting so often. Stuff just keeps happening. I am going to have an endoscopy and colonoscopy in the near future, and am concerned about the prep.

I had a colostomy in January of this year and my output is almost always completely watery. If I do the prep (not sure how it differs now that I'm missing 1/2 of my colon) but I worry already about the bag filling up super fast and ending up having a massive leak/blowout. I have heard they make longer or larger bags for things like when people get sick and have diarrhea, but not sure where to get something like that. Ideas? I suppose ask my ostomy nurse (duh!).

Anyone know if the prep is any different? And what do you feel like after the test? Same as before? Just want to know what to expect…I know that will calm my anxiety. Docs are doing endo and colonoscopy to look for possible bleeding as I am losing blood somewhere.

Thanks for listening and for your help!!


Sunny

Hi Sunny! It's good to see a post from you, I just hate that you are still having such problems :( As far as the larger bag, what brand and style wafer/bag combo do you typically use? My brand is Convatec, and I actually wear a larger bag every night because I have gas and output while sleeping. Couple that with my amazing shrinking stoma, and it has caused me some problems with leaks at night. While I do still have leaks from time to time, the bigger bag has lessened the chances a good bit...and the filter on them works better too...bonus! I get my big bags from Edgepark with the rest of my supplies. How soon do you need them?

I would love to hear from you anytime you have a minute to write....novel or a short hello!

What Convatec Convex wafer do you use? I use convex inserts because the wafer I use doesn't come in a convex option. Just one more thing to put together on bag change day!

Anywho....here is the link to the extra large bags that I use at night.

/www.edgepark.com/ostomy/pouching-systems/pouches/two-piece-drainable/convatec-sur-fit-natura-two-piece-high-output-drainable-pouch-2-1-4andquot%3b-flange-replaceable-filter-opaque/p/51401558

That is the bag that fits my flange size, which is 2 1/4....sometimes I use a smaller flange, and the same bag is available in different sizes, depending on what you need. You can either search for the right size online, or call and tell them you need that bag in whatever size. I'm sure they can get it to you pretty quickly.

Good luck, talk to you soon!

Since i have a COLOstomy, I still have about 1/2 of my colon, hence the need for a colonoscopy. Guess i have to call the stupid GI diagnostics lab to see what they want from me.

GSC: why do you say there is "nothing passing out"?? Where is your digestive waste going? I certainly have output and although it's usually pretty much water, there is sometimes food particles in there, etc. I'm confused.

My Ferratin level is low so they believe i am losing blood from somewhere and due to recent surgery and complications and further not-typical symptoms, they think there's a good chance it's in the GI tract. Also having an endoscopy. What fun!!

The day before, I am scheduled for the autonomic function testing, to help figure out why i am nauseous so much of the time. More fun.

Wrote my ostomy nurse and she is sending me samples of the larger bags and some other stuff.

I'm VERY frustrated at the moment. Was told there's an ostomy support group at the hospital i had surgery at, but they almost never meet anymore. Haven't met in months. And the people who said they would meet w/ me in person (one even bringing others w/ ostomies) have gone nowhere. My emails are never answered when I got to the point of wanting to meet. Don't get me wrong, I do get a lot out of this forum, but meeting a person in real life would be nice.

I feel so alone. More than I ever have in my life; which makes it harder to reach out to the people that are there for me, which in turn pushes them further away. Feeling like I may not make it thru all this. It's just one big mess!!

Thanks GSC--- No worries. We are all different and sometimes I know I am not very clear when I post. I have an idea in my head and think that everyone else knows what I'm thinking!! By the way, nice to meet you. You will find lots and lots of wonderful people on here, with tons of helpful advice, suggestions, people who can relate, who have been there/done that, as well as offer comfort and compassion. You are in a good place. I'm very sorry if my post offended you in any way…I really was in a very bad place mentally and there's no excuse for "acting" the way I did. Don't worry, I'm not usually like that and neither is anyone else!!