Qufora irrigation help

[Love_vodka]

Hi

Have been trying the irrigation system for various bowel problems . Has anyone any experience with irrigation? I’ve used 4 times and it does nothing! Not sure where I’m going wrong?

Water pumps in and basically just comes out again. I had to take laxatives on day 5, which kinda defeats the object

[Beezwax]

Hi,

I have used the Qufora irrigation system ( the mini one, although I also have the full size one) for quite a few years now and I have to say I wouldn’t be able to cope without it. I have Intussusception and a rectocele. I use the irrigation system every morning about an hour after breakfast. Sometimes it works straight away but mostly what I find is it helps ‘move things down’ and I usually go to the toilet again successfully (1st time quite often the water just comes out, it depends) about 10/20 mins after using it. I have found it works best when used in the morning and I have to stick to a fairly strict routine and timing. My consultant also said routine and habit really help. I take lactulose or movicol as well but only when I need to, which isn’t very often - I am not allowed any other type of laxative eg fibre gel or senna, as I was told it would make the intersussepcion worse.

The colorectal nurse has also prescribed the peristeen irrigation system which I occasionally use but I find the Qufora one works the best for me. I have used it on a daily basis for so long now I can’t remember exactly how it was when I first started using it - although I don’t think I used it all the time at first and I think it took me a while to establish a routine.

Good luck and I hope you get it to work for you.

PS I find strong black coffee a real help and I usually have a cup just before or after using the irrigation system.

[Love_vodka in reply to Beezwax]

Thanks Beezwax. I have rectocele with intussusception, enterocele, hypertonic pelvic floor, slow transit and descended perenium 😭

I’ve used it on an evening as I don’t really have time before work, I’ve used 4 times and just water coming back out. Did it work for you straight away?

[Beezwax in reply to Love_vodka]

Hi again,

I have the same problem with no time before work, but the irrigation didn’t work for me in the evening so now I get up at 4.45am so I can have breakfast and use the irrigation and am ready to leave for work about 7.20am. It’s a real hassle but it’s the only thing that works for me.

I think it took time to get used to the irrigation system, but I really couldn’t be without it now.

[Love_vodka in reply to Beezwax]

Gosh! That’s an early start! It takes me about 5 minutes to pump the water in (around600mls) and it literally just pours out again as soon as I remove the cone. It didn’t make any difference and day 5 I had to take strong laxatives which sort of defeats the object! Do you think I’m using it right? I’m so disappointed! Was really hoping this would be the answer. I’ll preserve for next couple of weeks I guess.

I’m not really a morning person though and feel more stressed on a morning

[nomoreibsc in reply to Love_vodka]

Have you been referred to a colon rectal clinic? They can help you make sure you are using it effectively. I normally use it in the morning after consuming a few pints of water to help get a good BM...for me it works best when I hold the water in for a minute or so whilst massaging my stomach. Then I have BMs and not just water flow. Hope this helps.

[Love_vodka in reply to nomoreibsc]

Thanks, I’m under a team. I did have someone talk me through the system and how to use it. I’ll try and have a go this week on a morning ( so hard getting out of bed early when it’s so cold though!)

Do you hold the water in after you remove the cone? The water just seems to pour straight back out but will give it a go! Thanks for your help.

Btw how long does it take you from start to finish? Xx

[nomoreibsc in reply to Love_vodka]

Hi Love_vodka... Yes, after I remove the cone, I try to tighten my muscles whist on the loo and massage my belly at the same time. If I don't, I just release water or have to really strain to get a BM. To be honest, the system can take a while to get used to. Please keep trying. I recently switched from the mini to the larger system. I found the larger system hard to use but had to persevere. It's not the easiest of systems but the BMs I get are worth it.

[SlowT1 in reply to Love_vodka]

Following with interest as I had the same problem as you - water in and only water out. x

[nomoreibsc in reply to SlowT1]

Sorry to hear you are having dificulties too. With holding water in for a minute and massaging my belly, I also try taking Movical the night before irrigation. That helps me have a much better result. Sometimes when I am impacted nothing works until I have a few sachets of Movical first. Hope this helps.

[Neil119 in reply to Beezwax]

SOONS LIKE ME %YEARS ON - Life all day is still stomach pain - 5 years

[Neil119 in reply to Neil119]

You know like I do - no held just stay positive