I had my ileostomy 33 years ago and my rectum was left intact, I now am having major problems with mucus leaking from the stump, this has been happening for the past year and is really troublesome. My doctor said that you can not stop mucus forming and there is nothing that can be done.
Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution short of having the rectum sewn up which I gather is not a nice alternative.
Hi Paul. I'm very surprised you didn't get a bunch of replies. What you describe seems to be "normal" for those of us who still have rectums without internal plumbing connected. I don't know why you didn't have a mucus situation for 32 years, but now you do, and you need to deal with it in the simplest way possible. Some folks use zinc oxide cream or ointment on the anus and a cotton ball or 2" by 2" cotton pad. I guess there are lots of questions like how much, how often, what color, is there odor, etc. Maybe if you add more details to your post, you'll get help.
Waiting for more info,
Mike
MeetAnOstoMate is a remarkable community of 41,458 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.”
Well, I hit the two year mark. I went back and read my posts from when I first found this site. I was very fortunate in that I stumbled upon it only 4 weeks post op. I have said many times that this community really saved me. The first 2 weeks after my surgery I shut down completely. It wasn't until about the 3rd week that my son came in to my room, flicked on the light and told me I was going to have to get back to living because I was scaring him. I had fallen into such a depression. He ticked me off, but it also made me stop and think- what was I going to do? Feel sorry for myself and sulk, or be grateful I was alive.
I've re-read my journals from that time and it was after my son kicked my butt, so to speak, I took an honest inventory and had to dig deeper than I've ever had to. I mean, I had survived a pretty nasty divorce, after a pretty crappy marriage and that was tough. But this was different. I felt like I was now a handicapped person who would be limited in their life and be looked at as a freak. My mental state was precarious, at best.
But then I found this site. I just lurked a bit before posting. I read so many of the other stories and I started to see just how full my life can be, I was not handicapped, and certainly not a freak! The stories of survival, the sense of humor, the support and compassion was inspiring. It was then I made myself get out of the dark, and get my sh*t together.
Not all rainbows and sunshine at first, hardly! But with grace from myself - to myself, and the kindness and willingness of the folks here to be supportive, non judgemental and openly share intimate details about their life circumstances, l not only survived but thrived.
I think of all the years I had suffered with such extreme pain, barely functioning, and the many hospital stays and how that is all behind me now. (All fingers, toes, and legs crossed that I never have to go near a hospital for myself ever again. I think I'd rather have a fork stuck in my eye. I loathe every about them.)
So, to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me, to say thank you is not enough. I'm forever grateful to know you all. My Angels, each one of you.
And as the Grateful Dead famously said,
"what a long strange trip it's been!"
Im so happy I'm tripping with you all.
Hi Paul. I have had these mucus discharges ever since my ileostomy 5 years ago. The bowel wall secretes mucus which, after surgery, no longer serves any useful purpose. For me, the real problem I had with the leakage was that it showed on the back seat of my pants. Mike's suggestions are great. I take a tissue, roll it up tightly into the shape of a cigarette, fold it in half and then insert it gracefully where the sun doesn't shine. A dab of vasoline helps immensely. The leakage is controlled but I won't leave this "plug" in for more than 4 or 5 hours without changing. Here's a useful brochure on the problem:
http://www.stoma.fr/2530_Rectal_Discharge.pdf
The last thing you want to do is have your rectum sewn up. My GI told me that this operation was complicated and not without nasty side effects. On another note, I wonder why you escaped this problem for 33 years and what you might have done recently to bring it about. Perhaps a change in diet? Anyway, good luck!
PB
