Bowel Movements with Ileostomy: Rectal Discharge Normal?

Is it normal to have a bowel movement out of your rectum? Has anyone experienced this with a ileostomy? My grandmother has had the ileostomy for at least 3 years.

It is normal to have some mucus discharge, could be clear to a tan/yellowish color if the rectal stump is intact. Typically, there shouldn't be much, but some people can have rounds of it multiple times per day. If there is a lot of discharge, discomfort, or blood, you should get her in to have it checked out.

Thank you. It looks like the stool in her bag. I took her to the ER, they said it's normal. I just don't understand how it got in there. Thank you again.

If it continues, I'd get in to talk to a specialist about it. If it's not hooked up anymore, there shouldn't be much happening with it.

Yes, that's what I thought. Thank you.

Hi! Yes! Please do not be concerned! I will never forget how scared I was when this happened to me!! I have had an ileostomy since January of 2018... I deal with the clear mucus from the rectum, but one day as I headed to the restroom thinking it was just the mucus, it was actually regular stool and my head was so crazy thinking something is not connected right, etc.... It only happened once, two months after my surgery, but I was told that it is possible that it can happen... I've never had it happen again, and I could never figure out how that could happen... But after researching it online, I found that I was not alone.... If it's just once or twice randomly, they say you don't have to be concerned

I also want to add that I have what is supposed to be a temporary loop ileostomy from botched surgery. I still have all of my colon and rectum, etc. I know that a lot of folks have cancer and some things removed, but I was told it can happen if I still have a colon, rectum, etc. I sure hope this helps ease your mind...I am sure your grandmother was just as scared as me when it happened!

Yes, I think I'm more worried than her. She's 90 and not totally understanding. She had the ileostomy for three years. This is the first time this has happened. It's been going on for three days now. I've been wrecking my brain every day trying to figure out why it's happening after all this time. The only thing they tell me is that it's normal, but how did it get in there in the first place.

Thank you.

I hope that it stops soon for her... It is so hard to figure out why that happens, but yep... The doctors say it is okay :-)

:-)

Yes, the colon makes mucus which is excreted in the normal way. But... if she has blood or diarrhea or more than occasional motions... seek medical advice...