Bathroom smell after cecostomy routine

[Carolyn]

I had a cecostomy nearly two years ago. One of the things that is humiliating to me is the lingering bad smell in the bathroom afterwards that seems impossible to get rid of. Any tips?

[baldfatdad]

try soaking a bit of cloth in Pine Sol and put it behind the toilet. we do that in the out houses in the nat forest camp grounds.

[Carolyn]

Thank you for that idea! I'll try it.

[SCI-Nurse]

Powerful exhaust fan, opened window, a more powerful smell. CWO

[Carolyn]

Have tried all of those things already...have not tried the Pine Sol soaked rag mentioned earlier though...

[SCI-Nurse]

I love the plug in Airfresheners. They are continuous. Also there is a battery operated larger can that has 4 settings. And have you tried the concentrated spray Rx: Bath & Body works. One squirt is very strong. I think that is best. CWO

[slynch]

If you don’t mind me asking, how do you like the cecostomy? Other than the smell that lingers behind. Do you have a spinal cord injury?
My Dr recommended I try one but I couldn't find anyone that had one well especially someone with a spinal injury. I'm currently on a waitlist for a colostomy.
I don't really have anything suggestions for masking the smell… I've developed sensitivities too many scented products. Maybe an essential oil diffuser?

[Carolyn]

I don't know much about a colostomy, but I opted for the cecostomy because it is reversible. I know of someone who benefited from the cecostomy for 10 years then had it reversed. I don't know how common that is, but if I were faced with a choice of cecostomy or colostomy, I believe I would most definitely choose cecostomy. The tube does need to be changed every 6-12 months, but only the original surgery is under anesthesia. Tube replacement is uncomfortable, but only takes a couple of minutes. Any questions you have, feel free to ask!

[slynch]

I’m a c4/c5 quadriplegic and dependant on others for everything. I’ve also had a miserable bowel routine for the past 32 years so decided I didn’t want any more bowel care routine and opted to get a colostomy.

[Carolyn]

I have Spina Bifida. The cecostomy routine takes approximately an hour. The frequency varies on the need. I typically do it every other day, some do it daily or only once or twice a week. In my opinion, there's no perfect solution. Colostomy and cecostomy both have their drawbacks. I don't know what it takes for upkeep with a colostomy, but for cecostomy, other than the routine supplies, it's a once or twice a year trip to get the tube exchanged and an approximately $150 copay. That of course depends on your insurance. Something that surprised me is how little most medical professionals know about cecostomies. An interventional radiologist is who I talk to when I have problems. My physical medicine doctor, I think would be another person I could talk to if I had unknown issues. A gastroenterologist would likely know about cecostomies also seems like. I wish I would've talked to one before the surgery just for a second opinion to be more inforrmed, not just the interventional radiologist who did the procedure. One thing I would be curious about is if it would ever be possible to have a cecostomy first and if that wasn't satisfactory, than go with a colostomy. The reason behind that thought is cecostomy is reversible, colostomy is not, if I understand colostomy correctly. I would have responded private message but couldn't figure out how to reply to yours. There's more details I'd share either publicly or privately, if you want.

[slynch]

Thanks for the information. I'm OK with it publicly if you are. My rehab Dr suggested the Cecostomy over the colostomy because it's much less invasive and reversible easily. But the surgeon she referred me too didn't know much about them and had never done one before. All the information online tends to be around children that need them. Hard to find any info for adults. A colostomy can be reversible especially if you get the loop colostomy. You can also get cecostomy first and then switch to colostomy after if it's not working satisfactorily, from everything I've been told. There’s a fair bit of maintenance and cost with colostomy if you don’t have coverage from what I’m told. But someone who has one would know n better

[SCI-Nurse]

Many colostomies are reversible. As I understand it, your cecostomy is more like a Malone procedure than a colostomy, since it appears you irrigate it and don't wear an appliance. Cecostomies have been used primarily for those with bowel cancer and for children with spina bifida. A colorectal surgeon is the best person to do either procedure.

(KLD)

[SCI-Nurse]

You can also use an old remedy for stool smell in the bathroom. Light a couple matches. We used to keep match books on the top of the toilet tank for all to use.

(KLD)