Managing Mucus Discharge After Ileostomy Surgery

Hi everyone,



I had my ileostomy about 10-11 weeks ago now. This surgery was required following an acute case of severe ulcerative colitis.



Generally speaking, things are going well (touch wood!) but one thing that has brought both concern and bewilderment is the whole business of mucus being discharged from the anus/rectum.



I understand it is normal for the rectum to produce a certain amount of mucus, but how much is normal? At the moment, I seem to be going once in the morning and once at night, discharging a pale brown substance. Is that normal? Does it settle down in time?





Further complicating factor - not every time, but my discharges are sometimes reddish in color. I have mentioned this to my stoma nurse, and she thinks I still have some colitis left over in the rectum. She mentioned that this could be treated with suppositories and the like.



I'm seeing a specialist next week who will hopefully give me some solid answers, but in the meantime, have others had experience with this?



If so:



1) Does the frequency of "sit down" toilet visits become more than twice a day?



2) Is this just an inconvenience, or is this a health risk? If left untreated, what can happen? Having not long got out of the hospital and also having freed myself of steroids for a few weeks now, I don't want to undergo any treatment (with accompanying side effects) that is not necessary, but at the same time, I want to keep my rectum as healthy as possible to keep open the option of having a reversal at a future date.



3) Speaking of a future reversal, that brings about another question in itself - wouldn't the colitis have to be eliminated from the rectum before a reversal could be completed? If not, wouldn't the bacteria just spread to the small bowel after the reversal is carried out?





Sorry, I appreciate these are questions that only the specialist can answer with any degree of authority or accountability, but at the same time, I'd like to go into the meeting knowing as much as possible, and at the moment, I feel I know very little.



Can anyone share their experiences?

Those are great questions, but unfortunately I can't really help you in that area. I know there are a few people on this website who have had issues with rectal stump colitis, so maybe if you looked around our forums you might find out more?



Keep us posted!

hello scott tiggy's right we all have a little bit different chemistry when it comes to our stoma"sI had a clear discharge the first 2 months I had my ileo,everyother day.Then for a month it was red and maybe a spoonful.Now after a year I get a little clear when I strain or lift over a 100 lbs.Thats my normal but maybe not yours.Keep up with the doc on this one.

bikerboy greg

I just typed you a long message and I have lost it!   I think your questions will best be addressed to your dr.  I hope you   can find a good ostomy/wound care nurse.  Your ins. co should pay for one to come to your house for a few visits if you need it.  You can also go to an office.  They have been really helpful to me.

I will write again later.  I had an ileoostomy last sept. and have doing fine.  Good luck to you....

I had surgery also for UC...it will be two years this October and what you are experiencing is normal....I have questioned it several times...as it bother me also. I find once a day sometimes twice as you stated.....it is a way of life with me. I make sure I empty out before I go out then I don't have to worry about it....as sometimes the urge is there as before surgery and I don't have control. When having my surgery I was hemroghing so they had to close me up quickly and I still have a tiny piece of colon left for which I had a colonoscopy a few months back...and to my surprise....it is still irritated with colitis...couldn't believe it. anyhow...just wanted you to know....what you are experiencing is very normal.

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

HI.... I had my large bowl removed for the same reasons as yourself last July 09 and for the first few months had the exact same discharge and frequency as yourself,  then in september it got so bad that I would make a point of having a sit to discharge at 8:00 am , noon and around 5 o 6:00 Pm... this lasted for about 6 weeks. I spoke to the Dr's and was told not to worry all was noirmal ( normal in this business is a moving target  and varies from person to person)... but given a sepositiry perscription, ... this helped and over several weeks it calmed down to occuring only once per week ( the discharge being the same makeup, colour etc as your own ) Now after after nealy a year I have times I go without elimination for 7 - 10 days,  currenly more like 4 to 6... as you know with this disease there are ' unexplanables ' ie. cause and effect issues.... I don,t drink orange juice, carbonated drinks or jams as  it seems when I comsume these items it increases the frequency of discharge...especially the orange juice.... there just seems to be a connection and it must have to think that  the acid levels in these items has an effect on this issue... I can,t explain it in anyother way... my advise is take the meds.... be patient, as there is still some residual disease and it will take time to adjust to a new normal... cheers Scotiaman1

Hii Lincoln .... just a followup point to my post this AM.... you had a question about the 'bacteria moving to the small intestine' I'm no expert but  I began to have UC 35 years ago... I did not have  continious UC issues but over the years had 5 attacks of 3-5 months in duration and then a 10 year period with NO bowel issues at all... then last June 09 it came back wth a vengence...and by the end  of July I had on illiostomy ....  over the years I have never heard tell of a reference to UC being rooted in a bacteria culture... it is an autoimmue disorder, with few real explantions of how or why it occurs, accept that it is generally hereditary ( there is a connection in my family ) and may be related to stress, liefstyle, diet etc.... I have never had a DR. yet admit that they know the actual cause... one last point on diet.... You may find beer and other alchole beverages an irritant.... experiement to see what works and what doesn,t.... Cheers Scotiaman1

I have had a colostomy since 2004 and have about 2 inches of colon left at the rectal end and unfortunatly the mucous discharge has not settled down. Mine is like a  slow dripping tap,the Dr. has me on medication which helps but does not get rid of it completely I also have spasms which doesn't help.Believe it or not I use a folded up paper towel for a pad, I can put it  where I need it most and it is very absorbent. It is annoying but I live with it, sorry for the bad news, I hope yours goes away but don't count on it.

I like others on this site have a problem with mucus from the rectum. I've had this problem since my ileostomy in August 2009. It goes from bad to worse - no pain but lots of mucus & blood mingled sometimes. When the bleeding gets bad they have me use suppositories but from what I understand since the parts don't do what they were originally placed there for it has a tendency to still be ulcerated and that's what causes the mucus and blood. I guess I'll learn to live with this - just like the ileostomy. I put several sheets of toilet paper between my "butt cheeks" and this seems to solve the problem of getting on my clothes.

Thanks to everyone who replied, in particular Scotiaman1.

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Hi Scott, I have the same problem as you with the rectal stump. I have a colostomy, have had ileostomy in the past, more than once and a reversal...........long story but now have colostomy. Had discharge from stump for years but never like the one most people describe, not like mucus, it's a brown discharge which varies from light brown to bloody and at times what I am sure is pure blood. I also get a lot of pressure and sometimes pain in the stump. My specialist knows all about this and thinks it is probably down to persistent infection at the scar sight. (I had surgery for rectal Cancer) but can't really explain why it isn't the 'norm'. The only comforting thing about it is it has been the same since I opted for a permanent colostomy in 2004 and I am still here so hopefully can't be anything serious. But 'a real pain in the butt' in more ways than one!! This probably won't help much but at least you know you are not the only one and now I know I am not the only one either.  Take care.

Jo

Hi again, just went back to the forum and read the other posts, didn't scroll down the page before, dope or what!! Obviously a more common problem than I thought.

Jo

I certainly suggest getting colitus around the rectum under control prior to surgery.   One of the reasons mine failed was because of this.  A Doctor in Augusta, GA - University Hospital can also insert a ring which allows you to empty through your anus without leakage.  I think the name of his practice is Colon and rectal Associates of Augusta but am not positive.  He was going to give me one until they found out I had Crohns.

Hi Scott ... yeah, Rectal Stump and I aren't talking to each other at the moment

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. What a pain in the butt he is.



Seriously, were you able to do a search and find my posts on Rectal UC and discharge and pain? There were a few where I said what I was going through and what the experts were saying.



If not, let me know and I'll write more again. It was so frustrating when I realized that it was going to be something I'd have to live with ... unless I want to have my rectum removed -- which is not a simple op.



Quick thoughts: For me, the heavier discharge is when I'm in a rectal UC flare. Yup, they take the whole darned colon, but the disease doesn't let go easily.



The discharge can be anywhere from fairly clear, to white cloudy, to greying, to any of the above with a bit of blood to green. It is usually quite odorless but sometimes has a strong odor (a sign of the UC). My ileo was Dec 09. The discharge was pretty consistent then and stayed that way for a few months. Naively, I thought it was something that I'd only have to put up with for a short time while I healed. Not.



The little creep has got himself regulated a bit now. I can usually feel fullness and then go to the bathroom, separate my cheeks, and let it drain. Sometimes, it's leaked into my underwear. So I wear a longer panty liner with wings. Or put a few sheets of TP between my butt cheeks. Did the TP sheets for many years with my UC - I hardly know it's there

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. The panty liners stick to the underwear. Once (and I think I remember reading this happened to someone else), the sticky portion had folded over, the end of my pouch was stuck to it. When I pulled down my pants ... yup, who flung poo?



Rectal discharge is a fairly typical thing. What you want to determine is whether the leakage/drainage is the 'normal' type ... or if there is something else going on.



I use Salofalk Suppositories and Cortifoam to keep the UC flares in submission - which helps keep the draining to a minimum. The meds are minimally effective, just as they were when I had my colon.



Not the biggest issue in life ... but a darned nuisance.

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All the best. Any more questions, just ask.

Hi Beatrice - the sanitary towel episode was me! Stood up and it had all drained down my trouser leg into my shoes and I didn't suspect a thing - beware the sticky towels! xxx

Jo,



Thanks for your reply.



I'm not sure if you noticed but we both appear to be from the same place (Lincoln, UK)?



I don't know anything more about you as you don't appear to have a profile filled out, but if we have enough in common are you interested in meeting up sometime?

Hi Scott, just read your message. I actually live in Northampton, when I replied to a posting by lottagelady from Marlborough my reply said I lived in Marlborough, boy I sure get around!!! I must complete a profile and hopefully any further postings will state right location. Im obviously female, getting on a bit now, coming up to 66 years old where does the time go. Take care. Jo

Yes Rach - now I remember! And I remember thinking when I read your post "hope that doesn't happen to me ..." LOL.



I was lucky it happened in my own bathroom. Now I am SO careful.

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