I have had an ileostomy for 7 weeks now. The other day I had a gastrografin enema to check my colon before reversal. The enema did not find anything. For about a week now, I have been leaking (assuming urine) and wearing pads. When I wipe after peeing, it's always discolored and smells bad. For a while, the smell was definitely a poop smell. There is still a smell, just not as strong. There is also discoloration in my pad. I told the surgeon, and she seems to think it's probably just a bad UTI. I am so scared and nervous all the time. I see the surgeon next week to talk about reversal.
Nervous
Jul 27, 2025 3:18 pm
AO166
Jul 27, 2025 3:28 pm
Do you have pain? Or did you have pain before this happened? I've had many fistulas; usually, I get pain, inflammation, and abscesses. Then the abscess opens, and the fistula starts leaking. It never just appears and starts leaking.
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CrappyColon
Jul 27, 2025 3:58 pm
If your doctor thought it was a bad UTI, did they prescribe an antibiotic?
SusanT
Jul 27, 2025 6:53 pm
It could be a fistula. But that isn't the only explanation. Actually, although I am not sure, I'd have thought they'd see some irregularities with your test if there was a fistula.
When you see the doctor, get treatment for the suspected UTI. I suspect this will resolve your issue.
Meanwhile, pay careful attention to where the liquid is coming from. A fistula goes both ways so you'd expect a fistula between the rectum and the bladder to cause urine to leak from the anus. In fact, when I had such a fistula, it started as urine in my stool and only later progressed to stool in my urine.
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