Hi everyone, this question is mainly for those who have been diagnosed with UC, now have an ileostomy, and still have their rectal stumps. My surgery was in 2012. After that, I had some drainage from my short rectal stump, which apparently is normal as the body adjusts. Eventually, it has become next to nothing for a very long time. Suddenly, in the last week, I am having quite a bit of that kind of slightly pale pinkish drainage various times a day. No pain. I have been under a lot of stress, preparing for a move. Have any of you experienced this return of rectal stump drainage? Thanks.
bilingualadr
Nov 18, 2022 10:26 pm
Mark1070
Nov 18, 2022 11:33 pm
It's a good question. I've also had the same happen. Not sure exactly what it means, but my GI once told me mucous discharge is normal as the body seeks nutrients.
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,416 members.
“Every morning with my coffee, I read here and feel wrapped in warmth - I hardly post, but it still feels like family.”
“Our oncologist literally wrote down the link; they said more patients need this website.”
“This place pulled me out of the dark. I went from lurking to living again.”
“At 3am, someone’s awake somewhere in the world. I’m never alone here.”
Justbreathe
MeetAnOstoMate website turned out to be a lifesaver for me. I say this because, for me, this ostomy journey was a devastating event both physically and mentally.
Here, I found folks who understood my feelings even better than my family or friends could. Only a fellow ostomate can understand how you really feel.
Information sharing is key, as well as support and understanding, to ultimately bring more harmony into our ostomy life journey. I found here, virtually no ostomy questions that are not touched upon. Questions which some might feel, may be too trivial to contact a doctor about or even too shy or embarrassed to ask their own doctor about. They are all addressed here.
For me, anonymity was very helpful in seeking answers to each phase of this life changing medical and mental event. Sharing initial trauma feelings, ongoing support and finally acceptance was what I found with my membership here. I am not sure what my mental and physical attitude would be today without having found this site.
Additional benefits included: finding products and ideas to help with daily maintenance, innovative ideas and as a bonus - some great humor.
After all “laughter IS the best medicine”.
I have been a member for 3 years, an ostomate for 4 years - yes, I certainly wish I would have found it immediately after surgery but so very thankful I finally found it when I did as I truly believe it turned my troubled depression and situation into a more positive attitude and acceptance.
Sincerely,
An Ileostomate nicknamed Justbreathe 🫶🏼
Past Member
Nov 19, 2022 12:06 am
The “normal” pale pink isn't usually a cause for concern, even in an increased amount. It could be that with preparing to move, the extra straining or any related stress is responsible for the increase in volume. If you have other changes though, more bloody or just blood, foul odor, other color changes (green for example), or increased pain, you would want to check in with your doctor. If it continues to be bothersome or if you start to have leakage, it would be worth the peace of mind to ask the doctor.
Advertisement
Hollister
Skin barrier extenders are ostomy accessories that can help your skin barrier fit better and last longer.
Learn all about skin barrier extenders.
Learn all about skin barrier extenders.
NJ Bain
Nov 19, 2022 12:32 am
Bilingualadr,
I recently had a sigmoidoscopy because of the same issue. Normally, I would have clear, slightly yellowish drainage. In the past year, it would feel like I had to have a movement and when I sat down, it was bloody discharge with no pain. The sigmoidoscopy results revealed inflammation from a type of colitis that forms in the rectal stump because there is no longer waste going through there. The doctor explained to me that normally, the waste does have some nutrient that prevents the inflammation.
To supplement that, she prescribed a Mesalamine rectal suspension enema. Now, I'm not a fan of enemas, but there may be a suppository form that I have yet to ask about. But it isn't life-threatening. You still may want to get a sigmoidoscopy under anesthesia just to make sure there is nothing else going on down there.
Bain