Strategygirl:
If you have a permanent end colostomy, your colonoscopy will be similar to a regular colonoscopy. Instead of the scope entering the anus to look at the length of large intestine, the scope will enter and be advanced through your stoma through the length of remaining large intestine.
You will be prescribed a colon cleanse, likely the same as you had with your prior colonoscopy studies pre-stoma. Yes, as MikeNH mentioned, the cleanse will empty your remaining colon and the fecal cleansing will empty into what ever ostomy pouch you use.
For consideration:
A. Purchase through your ostomy supplier (Byram, EdgePark, whom ever you use as your medical supply provider) high volume capacity drainable ileostomy pouches to use during your prep. Make sure that the high capacity pouches fit the wafer that you are using if you are currently using a two-piece system.
B. Purchase through your ostomy supplier what are called “irrigation bags.” Many individuals with a colostomy practice a daily irrigation/enema through their stoma to clear the lower digestive tract of fecal matter. This enables people with a colostomy to go without wearing an ostomy pouch for 24 hours. Irrigation bags collect the fecal matter vis-a-vis colostomy irrigation, which is then emptied into the toilet. Irrigation bags are essentially high capacity/high volume ostomy pouches. They are handy during the prep for a colonoscopy with a colostomy.
Be sure to take 1-2 new wafers and pouches with you to your colonoscopy procedure. You will need to place a new wafer/pouch on after the procedure.
Remember: The colonoscopy through the stoma will be a scope and viewing of the active and on-line large intestine proximal and connected to the stoma.
The segment of large intestine distal/away from the stoma (residual colon or rectal stump that is off-line) is not studied by the colonoscopy that enters through the stoma. To visual the resting residual colon/rectal stump, the GI physician will use a protocscope (anal scope) or flexible sigmoidoscopy scope as a seperate procedure if this is indicated for you. Your GI physician should discuss with you whether a back-end/rectal stump scope will also be performed. If this information is not shared with you upfront, ask for clarification. It is your body. You deserve to understand what areas of intestine will be scoped/visualized.
Feel free to hop on over to the UOAA (Ostomy Association) forum and talk to fellow colostomates who have had a colonoscopy through a stoma. Including managing prep with a stoma and using high capacity drainable bags.
http://www.uoaa.orgBest wishes,
Karen
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.