My husband went in to have a gastrogriffin test with an ileostomy reversal scheduled a few days later. It was a total surprise to find the rectum was totally closed. Next week he is going to have a flexible sigmoidoscopy to try to see what the cause is. Has anyone had this happen, and what was the cause and treatment?
Very worried.
I have Crohn's disease and had colostomy surgery done on May 15th of this year because I have a stricture in my rectum that caused it to become almost completely closed.
Bugs.
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,440 members.
“I mostly read and still feel like I belong.”
“Doctors took notes; they want others to find this website.”
“From midnight blowouts to big wins, there’s always a hand to hold.”
Hubz had a regular checkup with the oncologist on Friday (his numbers are improving), and as they were asking how he's feeling since surgery, they became curious about how he's doing so well with his ostomy, both physically and mentally. He credited doing research online, trying different things, and especially the support from this group. They were asking because they see so many patients struggling to adjust.
We described this group as folks with every kind of ostomy, some for days while others for decades, but all willing to share what's worked for them with the caveat that every individual is different.
We described the most valuable element as feeling like you're not alone in this. That really piqued their interest, and they wrote down the link. It seems they had a few people in mind that might benefit from the community and thanked us for telling them about it.
You know, we can't remember exactly who we learned about this group from, but we're grateful for it every day! Thank you all! 🌻
Good point as strictures are common with CD.
Not knowing how long the op has had an ileo, or the reason why, could also mean a collapsed rectum.
That's gonna hurt trying to get inside a closed area like that; quite dangerous, I suspect.
Aren't scans a bit safer? Cat scan or MRI?
Think of it as pushing a golf ball through a garden hose. Yikes!
Just an honest suggestion:
SAFER BET, STAY WITH ILEO, FORGET REVERSAL... Get a ken butt.
Hello, about 15 years ago, I had an ileostomy due to UC. The colon was removed, but the rectum remained. About five years ago, it was removed due to pain.
Examination revealed that the rectum was largely closed and that there was also inflammation inside. It's important to explain that in the Netherlands, the surgery only removes the rectum. So, I don't have a "Barbie butt," as they say.
I had an MRI with contrast dye before surgery.
I've had the opposite problem with staples coming undone in my rectal stump. My surgeon told me, "Believe it or not, it can stay that way."
You don't say why he had the ileostomy. If it was cancer, I would be terrified of a recurrence. I live with that fear myself, and there's little anyone can say to help. If it wasn't cancer, then a new cancer would be very unlikely to appear so quickly. It could be inflammation, scar tissue, or probably a dozen other things. They won't know until the flex sig.
I don't believe this is inherently dangerous. I think the worst case (aside from a tumor recurrence) is that they cannot reverse the ileostomy. If he has substantial colon left, they may recommend going to a colostomy. But he may end up with a permanent ileostomy.
Hello cjgershman.
I am replying to this post partly to be sure I get notifications of any and all replies.
My anus completely closed as result of a botched operation on piles and severe scarring.
What they(different surgeons) did was to reoperate and open the hole. I had to wear a glass dilator for weeks after to keep the hole open. Subsequently, I was left incontinent, which had it’s own problems.
It is so much easier to manage output from a hole on the front of my abdomen (stoma) than it was through my anus. So, at the time, I opted for that solution and have had a stoma ever since.
I still have anal problems, and at the end of next month, I am going in to have it all looked at to see what is wrong and what possibly might be done about it.
If anything useful emerges, I will undoubtedly post on here.
Best wishes
Bill
Good topic! Just six months out from having my entire colon removed with a permanent ileostomy placed. On the subject of rectums, do others get feelings like they need to bear down and push? What about a leaking rectum? TIA!
A closed rectum, surgically closed such as a Ken or Barbie butt, should never leak. That's bad news. Stitches popped, and it won't heal. It happened to me. Twice. First, it became infected. Second, it popped. This occurred over 4 weeks' time. That quickly.
Hi Heidi, if the surgery went like mine, then the entire colon was removed, but the rectum is still there. Even though no food is passing through there anymore, it's still functioning. That explains the urge to go and the loss of fluid and mucus. If the surgery went like Warrior's, you should contact the hospital.
Like Yrsae67 says... if you still have a rectal stump and an anus, these urges are normal. The rectal stump will continue to produce mucus, which will need to pass.
If the rectal stump and anus were removed a la Barbie butt... then contact your doctor immediately.
That sounds dreadful! I have an appointment with my surgeon coming up. Thanks!