Concerns About Mucus Output and Evacuation Post-Ileostomy

I have an ileostomy (16 months) and I hardly get any mucus output. I get an urge in a sense, but nothing comes no matter how long I sit or push. I had a colonoscopy done recently, so they gave me a fleet (enema) and that was crazy! I know why no one likes them! But a lot of ‘stuff' came out! And it did for 40 minutes or so! So, I am hopefully getting a reversal in the fall and I'm concerned that there could be issues evacuating properly. Anyone have this? I know that there is diverticulosis due to lack of movement.

Hi there,

So the big question is what issues caused you to have an ileo.

We all have an ileo for different reasons and everybody's body is different. Me, for example, my large intestine wasn't working, so that was completely removed. And I have severe pelvic floor dysfunction, which meant I wasn't able to pass a bowel movement for weeks on end. After I got my ileo, I could never pass mucus either. So I had to have my rectum removed.

Did your doctor give you any insight as to what could be happening that is causing you not to be able to pass mucus?

Is the mucus coming out of your retained rectum? If so, that is common and sometimes it will have blood too. Usually, this is from disuse proctitis which is best treated with short-chain fatty acid enemas.

Are you a candidate for closure of your ileostomy?

I had colorectal cancer. I am a candidate for reversal. I also read in other posts that some don't get much mucus. Thank you.