This topic is about the experience of feeling phantom stool sensations after having an ileostomy disconnection. This can be a bit unsettling, especially when you're out in public, as it feels like you might need to pass stool even though nothing actually happens. Here are some insights and advice from others who have been through similar experiences:

1. Many people with long-term ileostomies report having "phantom" urges, which are similar to the phantom-limb sensations some people feel after an amputation.

2. These sensations can last for many years. Some people have experienced them since as far back as 1986, while others have had them for about five years. The good news is that they usually become less frequent and intense over time.

3. If you still have a rectal stump, it might contribute to these sensations. However, because your intestinal tract is disconnected, it's unlikely that any stool will actually pass.

4. One person who switched to a Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir (BCIR) still experienced these feelings for a while. This suggests that while the sensations can be persistent, they are not harmful.