Prolapsed Stoma - Seeking Advice on Coping & Solutions for Intestinal Protrusion

Hello all, up until now I have been an observer on this site, not feeling quite ready to contribute, but grateful for the enlightenment, education, and entertainment it has provided me. I had a colostomy about eight months ago due to a ruptured bowel. Things have not gone well, and I have been hospitalized twice for large bowel obstructions and once for further surgery to remove more of my large bowel. Now I have developed a prolapse where the bowel actually comes out of the stoma. At first, it was very small, maybe an inch would come out, and it would always go back in on its own accord. A week ago, it came out to a horrifying degree, about seven inches of intestine was filling my pouch. I was terrified. At the hospital, the doctors had to put me under twice to get it back in. Since then, it has been completely normal, not even prolapsing a little like it did before, but I am living in fear that it will happen again. My surgeon has decided I will do better with an ileostomy, but my surgery won't be for at least a couple of months. I have never seen a 'prolapse' mentioned in any posts on this site and am wondering just how rare my situation is. I think (and my surgeon agrees) that the prolapse developed because I have to take large amounts of laxative to keep things moving, resulting in a lot of pressure building up behind the stoma. I have had chronic constipation all my adult life, which is probably why my bowel ruptured, and the colostomy has only made it worse. The theory is that once I have an ileostomy, constipation won't be an issue, and everything will function as it should. Just wondering if anyone out there has experienced anything similar to me and how you coped, what was done, etc.

So Delgrl, I first had a loop colostomy which prolapsed regularly to about 5 inches.  I think I used cool water to shrink it.  After a couple months it was replaced by an end colostomy.  It's been good for it's 8 years doing its job.  Zero prolapse.  How about a nutritionist to address blockages?  How about a second opinion?

Respectfully,

Mike

Hi Delgrl

I have an ileostomy and have had a prolapse which was "reviewed" as they call it here, which means detaching the stoma, drawing out the offending section (taking up the slack), and reattaching it in the same place. It's been okay so far.

Regarding the constipation, I have never had this problem, but I take a liquid magnesium throughout the day in my water just because I can. I notice that it loosens up the output considerably and enhances my sleep, among other things.

Maybe you could experiment yourself with magnesium. It won't do you any harm.

Axl

Thanks Mike for your input. I've had many opinions over the years and seen many specialists. I have a 'motility' problem which means the muscles in my intestines don't work properly to move the stool along. I've always done all the right things nutritionally, high fiber, lots of fruits and vegetables and lots of water, to no avail. At this point all my doctors agree (GP, Surgeon and Gastroenterologist) that trying a loop ileostomy is the way to go. It can always be reversed, but living the way I am now isn't great. I'm glad things worked out for you! I'm trying to be optimistic.

Hi Axl, thanks for your reply. How long has it been since they "reviewed" your stoma? I am surprised and a little alarmed to hear that your stoma prolapsed with an ileostomy. I thought that once they have removed the large bowel that they can't remove anymore. So they removed some of your small bowel? As far as the constipation goes, I have used everything over the years including magnesium, which is one of the tools in my tool chest. I don't use it regularly as its effect diminishes if I do.

Terry

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hi Terry.  I think you've done all the right things and have lots of reasons to be optimistic.  I'l be anxiously awaiting some good news from you.

Sincerely,

Mike

Prolapsed stoma with ileostomy is very common! For about a year, my stoma was about 5" in length! The surgeon told me that whenever I wanted, he would shorten it and make it a colostomy like the original surgeon should have done! He said the original surgeon should have made it a colostomy but it was cheaper for an ileostomy! It's all about money! Anyway, don't worry about a prolapsed stoma! I was dating (65) and no one ever noticed! Hope I helped!

It was about September last year when it was fixed. Prolapse is not uncommon at all and could very well happen again.

Axl

Thanks Mike, I will let you know. It's nice to have a support network out there of people who have gone through similar things. I don't feel so alone and like a freak, I know I'm not, but at the same time it's easy to get to that place. Staying positive!

Cheers,

Terry

I am having trouble understanding how a 5" prolapse would be something you could live with. I guess all prolapses are not created equal. Mine, which I did not measure but estimate, was 6-7" and filled my pouch. It was huge and thick, and my bowels stopped working completely until the emergency docs got it back in. It was not an easy process, and the first two doctors weren't even able to succeed with it and had to get the surgeon. They had to put me under anesthesia twice. I was in severe pain and passed out twice during the whole ordeal. The reason they think it won't happen to me with an ileostomy is because I won't have to take laxatives anymore, hence no pressure building up behind the stoma. I don't think money comes into it here in Canada, thankfully, as we have universal healthcare. Anyway, it sounds like things worked out well for you, so that is great. I am remaining optimistic!

Thanks,

Terry