Double Ostomy Experiences - Who Else Has Both?

How many people have both of these ostomies? I had my surgery 5 years ago. Anyone else got a double Ostomy?

Sam Jenkins

London, UK

How can you have both an ileostomy and a colostomy? Output only comes out one place or the other. Am I wrong?

Outstanding!

Time for stand-up, dude. You learned so much in so little time.

Comic genius. 👍

I had a dormant colostomy and a functioning ileostomy for about eight months.  It was because my surgeon didn't want to take down the colostomy site until he knew the ileostomy would work well.  It has since been removed, along with my colon, leaving just the ileo.  Is your situation considered permanent?  I'm wondering why both would be necessary?

Terry

I have a urostomy (urine) and a colostomy (poop). Urostomies are sometimes called ileal conduits leading to confusion with ileostomies.  In case that is what is happening here... doctors should really consider patients more when explaining things. 

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Are you saying you have both after 5 years? This is pretty rare. I assume most of the output would be via the ileostomy while mucus and some effluent would come out of the distal end of a functional colon. I'd be interested to know more about your case.

Yes, your assumption is correct. Nearly everything comes out through the ileostomy, and mostly just mucus from the colostomy. The surgeon did give an explanation to why it was done, but I was quite woozy at the time, and I cannot remember now. I know it was an emergency operation.

Hi Sam. Welcome.

You are the first person I have ever heard of saying they have both. You are the proud holder of that title. 😊

But to call that dormant intestine a colostomy? It confuses me.

You wear two bags? You have 2 stomas?

The ileo I understand. That's your main pooper shooter.

Why after 5 years do you still have that dormant thing there? "Dormant" is used loosely here because it is spewing mucus. I can't think of a better word. You evacuate from it on the loo, correct? You have periods of uncontrolled mucus wetting yourself?

Sorry for 20 questions. I'm just very curious, especially after 5 years dealing with 2 stomas. Wouldn't one suffice?

Dormant is definitely the wrong word, the colon is still functional and active. There are a number of reasons for a distal end colostomy:

1. Sometimes it is used for distal feeding to promote better nutrient absorption.
2. It can also be done to maintain the colon's absorption capacity and to stave off atrophy.
3. And one you are probably aware of is to prevent mucus buildup since the distal colon is still producing mucus. A mucus buildup could lead to infection if it isn't drained.

In the case of something like Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS), you need all the nutrient and fluid absorption you can get.

I have a Urostomy & considering a colostomy because I have a spinal cord injury & a colostomy would be easy for me to find people to help with that. I don’t know any that has both. 

There's a few of us with both a colostomy and a urostomy around. The others on this site don't talk much but I've spoken to several folks who had the same surgery as me in other places. That surgery typically results in 2 permanent stomas. 

I wouldn't recommend anyone give up a perfectly functional colon but if you have health problems and this would relieve some stress, then go for it. You have a urostomy so you already have a good idea of how it would be. 

Feel free to ask anything.