This topic is about using glycerine suppositories to help clear out retained rectal mucus for people with an ostomy. The discussion revolves around how effective these suppositories are and what side effects they might have. Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

- It's quite common for people with an ostomy to discuss this issue, so there's no need to feel embarrassed about it.

- A surgeon and a stoma nurse have recommended glycerine suppositories, and this advice is also supported by the UK NHS website. The person asking the question has had 90% of their large bowel removed and was prescribed pediatric-size suppositories.

- One person mentioned that glycerine suppositories can be quite harsh on the body. It's important to confirm with a healthcare professional, like a surgeon or ostomy nurse, that they are suitable for you, which the person asking has already done.

- Some side effects reported by someone who used glycerine suppositories before having an ostomy include experiencing a strong bowel movement within an hour, rectal pain, and significant irritation around the anal area.

- Another person shared their experience with alternative treatments while their rectum was still in place. They found that mesalamine (5-ASA) suppositories worked best for drainage related to ulcerative colitis. They also used cortisone (steroid) suppositories. For drainage due to disuse proctitis, short-chain fatty acid enemas were recommended.

- Glycerine suppositories work as a hyperosmotic laxative. They irritate the rectal mucosa and draw water into the bowel, usually leading to evacuation within 15 to 60 minutes.