Post-Surgery Bleeding Concerns After Large Intestine Removal

I had surgery on 1st May 2010 completely removing my large intestine due to ulcerative colitis.  Since surgery I have still had times when I've sat on the toilet and bits of muceus has come out (which i'm told us common) However every couple of days a bleed and its fresh light red blood.  Has anyone any ideas what this may be I cant get to the surgeon till August.  I have a feeling a have colitis in the rectum and the small end of colon that they left.

PLEASE REPLY, WOULD LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK X

Hi Claire

I think that if you have any doubts, get your GP to help or to refer you sooner - did you have a 6 week checkup post op?

Either that, or see if you can access your surgeon through your stoma nurse or his secretary ... I hope your GP should know if it is dodgy or not?

Take care

Rach xx

Hi Clair... just some thoughts on your condition....with your UC you most likely had bright red blood passsing with each trip to the bathroom, which is result of the mucus membrane breaking away from the intestinal lining.... you mentioned that you had your entire lower bowel removed BUT it is likely the surgeons left what is refered to as the rectal stump...and the annus... the rectal stump has mucus membranes the same as the lower bowel.... for many people UC starts in the rectum and can thus move up through the large bowel... I would expect you still have residual UC in your rectal stump and that is where the mucus and bleeding is coming from... I had a similiar issues last Sept and Oct. with all of my Lower bowel being removed July 30 th.... for about a 6 week period I was on  the flush 3 times a day... hard for some to understand considering all the bowel was removed ( or so I was told) , however they do leave the the parts as mentioned above so that you can in the future consider having a reversal... be partient ... your DR. likely has you on suppositoiries to assist in healing,,,if not ask him what he might recomment... Hope your feeling better soon
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Hi Claire, hope you're feeling better. I had ulcerative colitis and at first they took the large colon. They were hoping to do a reversal to my ileostomy, but in my case, I was allergic to the medicine they had me on. My rectum became too enflamed and they had to remove that as well. Now I have a permanent ileostomy. Hopefully you will respond to the medicine they put you on and then you'll be able to have the reversal operation. I wish you every success and shall keep you in my prayers. best wishes Sue

Hi claire,

All the posts  before mine are right on the money,  but what I will add is that Dr's  dont remove rectum and anus at the first operation because its a rather difficult procedure and believe that all patients will want a reversal in the future........(I believe Dr's think that the mucuous coming out your rectum is a minor incovenience but I on the other hand think its a real pain considering all the problems people like us have with our bottoms)

I will also add tha UC sufferers and crohns and chronic intestinal sufferers are better off without thier rectums and anus and also believe that to have a great bowel movement is never available to us because of our chronic conditions.....Keep in mind to have your rectum and anus would be great if the bowel movement s  were great ,  but to have the recutm and anus and mucuous discharges and possible accidents when reversals are done and constant fear of diarrhea and never a good bowel movement,  make getting a permanent Ileo in my case a godsend and  the anser to all my prayers and I wouldnt change a thing..

I hope I have helped in some small way......till next post.Michael

My Chronic illness HIstory is IBS in 1982,  IBD next,,  Colits and then Ulcerative colitis.....24 years of  misery.........Finally what I had thought would ruin my life  ,  A permanent Ostomy,  has not only saved my life , it has given me new and improved life...Yahoo
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Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

im not on any treatment at the moment, gonna ring the stoma nurse tomorrow to see if she can help xx

I totally agree with beyond par.  I had 7 operations a bunch more hospitilizations and two infections (one that almost sent me to my maker) .  I wish now I would have just had it all done the first operation or that I would have tried a more agressive treatment before surgery.  I ended up with Chrohns but they had treated me for UC for 28 years.  My colon was in bad shape and they could not rule out cancer so I had it done.   Hindsight, I would have been more agressively treated for Crohns and then had trouble spots biopsied, but hindsight is 20-20.   I like my Illy better than some of my friends like their reversal.  They still have bad days where they go 20 times a day after 10 years - these are few but happen.

I also suggest you check your hospital.  My gastroenterologist sent me to what he said was the best in the country.  I mistakedly excepted his word.  When I looked at rankings they made a 26 out of 100 and rated below a hospital 30 miles from my house and MUSC in Charleston, SC.   Next time I see him I am going to ask him why?   He will get mad but he wilol get over it.   Good luck in whatever you decide.   I suggest getting your rectum in good shape before final surgery.  Also a Doctor in Augusta, Ga. can insert a ring in your rectum that allows for better control.  I was going to have this until they found out I had Crohns not UC.

Hi Claire - I had rectal cancer back in 2002 and after many surgeries, chemo and radiation and  years of misery I opted for a permanent colostomy in 2009.  I have a small portion of the rectum left, and yes it bleeds periodically and passes mucus all the time!  I asked my surgeon about the bleeding, because sometimes it looks like a lot - he said not to worry, that it's normal. I notice mine worsens when I walk a lot or hike.  I agree with beyondpar - it's a real pain but has not caused any real problems.  I just have to wear a pad all the time.
Recently I had a hemmorhage from my stoma - now THAT was a lot of blood and put the bleeding from the rectum in perspective.  
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Amen on complete ileostomy as preferable to leaving a bit, just in case.  My gastroenterologist said the odds are I would end up with it in any parts left and that I would likely have urgency, overly liquid stoos and other problems if I just had the transvers colon,l the part with ulcerative colitis removed.  I think that was a wise choice for me and am doing just fine with my relocated "poop chute!"

Hi Claire,

You sound just like me!

Also had ileo (Dec 09) with 6" of rectal stump left. I also had UC ... and now still have it in the stump.

I use Salofalk suppositories (1000mg) at night (every other night or so) to try to keep the flares at bay. Also use Cortifoam Rectal Foam for flares. They work pretty well.

Do your research before you have another op to remove the stump. It's a very complicated procedure with potential downsides - especially for women.

Isn't it the pits that you get such a major procedure done ... you think, "ok, but at least I won't have the darned UC" ... only to find you've still got it.

All the best,
Beatrice
p.s. UC in stump was confirmed by rectal scope procedure (hosp procedure)

I know all too well that losing small amounts of fluids and mucous from the rectum is very normal following your kind of surgery. However, I'm not sure that actually experiencing blood loss from that area is considered a normal part of the healing process. It's very possible that you still have some UC in your rectal stump or even the last bit of colon that you mentioned you still have. This is treatable, but the only way to be sure is to see a doctor ASAP and get it assessed (no pun intended).
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Hang in there, girl! You've got a long road ahead of you and (I believe) the worst is over now.

Ah .. A fellow Manc.. Hi Claire!!! I'm interested in the answers, but also how it all went. I had an ileostomy just over a year ago, but I've still got all the same Ulcerative Colitis symptoms. So, after weighing up the options (J Pouch, etc.), I've decided to have everything removed, a "Barbie Butt," and I'll be left with the ileostomy. I'm a little worried; my last surgery at Stepping Hill was a horrible experience, but I guess anything is better than the current situation...xx