Red Mucus Discharge After Ileostomy: Is This Normal?

Hello, I just got an ileostomy in August of 2025 after a long battle with ulcerative colitis. I have been doing great with the life changes; however, now I am discharging an orange-red mucus, and it is scaring me, quite honestly. Is this normal? I have searched for possible reasons, and they all lead to horrible possibilities and more surgeries to correct it. If someone could please let me know if this happened to them and if it is urgent to go to the hospital, I would absolutely appreciate that. Thank you!

Where is the discharge coming out? Anus or stoma?

I just bought a brand new car! Wish me luck? Letterman #3.

It is coming from the anus.

It sounds like you probably still have a rectal stump? It doesn't sound normal, and I would definitely get it checked out.

Terry

My Ostomy Journey: Kimberly | Hollister

Ok... normal if you have a rectal stump. It's been three years since I got a colostomy. I poop out blood all the time with mucus. Sometimes quite a bit. Look up diversion proctitis.

These symptoms are normal if you still have a portion of your rectum. Because food is no longer passing through, this part of your intestine can no longer function properly. The result is an inflammatory reaction. You'll notice that this can vary from day to day or week to week. Your doctor can prescribe suppositories for this, sometimes with varying results.

Hey Jessie. Welcome. 👋

You asked if there were any of us with experience going through a bloody discharge. You're talking to your twin now. 😬

This is a broad open-end subject.

I will ask that you keep in mind some folks answering may not have IBD. You need to find these types of folks and get their thoughts. What might be normal for a member may not be normal for us with IBD.

Since you mentioned having UC and recent surgery for an ileo, I am getting flashbacks of my own journey as you are now experiencing. Thus, "twin" works well here.

🤔 Would you believe in 2016 I just had the large colon removed (totally inflamed beyond what meds could help) in hopes to later reconnect it to the stump they left? 🙈

Guess what? For seven years I still bled. Yep. And the docs said it was normal. Yep. So after 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years, they came to their senses. Had a scope. Crohn's developed into the stump. "Let's continue meds" was the plan.

Mind you, after the new meds began, there were hospital stays, 3, for "proctitis."

Call it whatever you want. It's still inflammation of the stump. I was treated for 3 more years. Biologicals. Upping prednisone. Everything from A to Z. Guess what? They finally arrived at the stump needing removal on my deathbed... 🤦.

You want to be a guinea pig like I was?

What you found out about needing more surgery is correct. Removal of everything with a sewn-up butt. 2023. It was done.

Several years documented. Meds. Biologicals?

"Normal?"... 🤦😞. I'll suggest you get a scope done through the butt. See what they find/advice. Call the doctor for the appointment.

You are at ground zero. We have people here with IBD. Understand who replies. Their stories are coming.

You can nip this in the bud, possibly be on meds and colitis, Crohn's free, by taking charge of your destiny.

How old are you? This can be an advantage in healing. I was back to work in 5 months, dude.

Let me know your thoughts. I'll be interested in helping you navigate this. As well as others here will be, too. Take notes. Write questions down. 🫵 You got this.

My colostomy was due to sigmoid colon puncture. Those with existing conditions like UC or Crohn's will have a different experience than me.

Yep. Mesalamine suppositories work well to suppress rectal stump inflammation. For how long??? For me: About 8 months. Then all hell broke loose in my rectal stump. I was pooping lots of blood 5 times a day. Had anus cramps (no fun). Had to borrow pads from my wife.

I did lots of online research. Read that Mesalamine can make symptoms worse once they stop being effective. So I stopped using them. Boom! Next day all symptoms disappeared. What a relief!!

2 weeks later I went in for a rectal exam with my gastroenterologist. He took a peek at Mr. Rectum with a scope. Said I still had inflammation, but not too bad.

It's been about 6 weeks now. I get a little bloody discharge a couple of times a day. But it's not bad. I can hold it. And the bonus: No cramps.

If I get another flare... back to the Mesalamine. If that doesn't work... warmed coconut oil enema.

The doctor prescribed beclamethasone suppositories for me. I only used them when absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to 5-ASA, including mesalazine. The symptoms resembled UC, but the doctor had a different name for it. My rectum was removed 12 years after the first major surgery. So, as you can see, everyone has their own story.

Indeed. Everyone has their own story, some being similar, while others differ.

Is it normal to have bloody discharge from the anus?

I'd have to stress who is answering that question and where they are coming from.

Just as a colostomy is different from an ileostomy, and the reasons for them vary, we must keep what matters in sight. The common denominator here is IBD. The root cause, some members must keep this in mind, stay focused.

Hi Warrior, you're stressed because you don't know where this answer came from. Just like the person asking the question, I had severe UC. I also have that listed in my profile. I had emergency surgery and experienced the same symptoms afterward.

If no one tells you this is normal, it's very frightening. Of course, you should report this to the doctor, and of course, it should be followed up with checkups. But they won't do that so soon after the surgery. The next steps depend on the doctor and the patient's wishes.

"This answer".. from you? No. Sorry. I read your profile before posting. It's not directed at you. Nor am I stressed about your reply. It's directed in general speaking..

I knew where you were coming from.

I read profiles all the time before replying. Most people don't. I like knowing who is who here. Profiles supply that knowledge. Otherwise, it's foot-in-mouth disease. Been there, done that and learned.

I'm sorry to say after 4 months, a bleeding issue still presents itself? Is that normal? With IBD?😳😳

Time will tell if the O.P. keeps us informed. Doctors told me it was normal too. For me, it wasn't.

Welp.... this sigmoid colostomy dude with a rectal stump just got off the toilet. Bright red bleeding.... Diversion Proctitis. This is expected for me. I was recently checked by my most excellent gastroenterologist with a butt scope. Verdict: Normal, expected inflammation. No easy way to fix it.

Everyone.... yep, everyone with a rectal stump will develop inflammation. 70% will exhibit no symptoms and be happy. 30%... unlucky me... will have occasional bleeding, anus cramps, and most likely wear a pad. I borrow my wife's. How's that for wedded bliss.