Managing Mucus Output with an End Stoma

Good morning, ostomates. First off, I want to thank all who chimed in on my first post about the "smelly pouch." It turns out it is "all in my head." I made an appointment with my nurse and wore smelly clothes from the day before just to make sure she could smell it. All she could smell was the baby powder fragrance from my antiperspirant. Thanks all for your comments.

So my stoma journey started with dealing with rectal prolapse, likely as a result of childbirth. I was too embarrassed about the whole situation to be seen by anyone for about ten years. I finally had enough, swallowed my pride, and was sent for surgery. I found out at my 8-week follow-up that I had no internal sphincter. Surgeons attempted to build it up, so my condition now is actually worse than before the actual surgery.

At this point, I agreed to a stoma. A loop stoma was performed, as this hospital has a policy to do a loop on anyone who doesn't need an end stoma in case the patient decided they made the wrong decision. I told the surgeon right there, "Why would I want to go back?"

I am dealing with mucus output every day because I have no control. I was scheduled to have an end stoma with the removal of the bowel, but in the last few months, my surgeon and his colleagues have advised me that the risks of the surgery far outweigh the small chance I will get bowel cancer.

So my question is, is there anyone out there who has an end stoma, with the bowel still intact? Has the mucus output decreased immensely? I'm tired of having a wet butt. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful I have control of my poop now, but I don't want to have a fourth surgery down the road.

Hello pickleball.
Thanks for your post which seems to be a reflection of my own position sometime back.
I would not want to put a damper on your optimism, but my mucus is intermittently worse now than it was to start with.
Resigning myself to that fact, I now use incontinence pads to manage  the mucus output. However, these are not that great at absorbing it, so I fold up a piece of toilet tissue to lay in the crack and this helps with absorbing the mucus for long enough for the inco-pad to do its job.
My surgeon also advised against a barbie butt because (He said) it was a major operation with associated risks. 
Hence, I'm stuck with it, and mucus becomes a rich source of expressive rhyme every now and then. (It's how I cope!)
Best wishes
Bill

Well, interesting—I just read this after posting about Fartlettes etc. Many differences and explanations among our ostomates... and as always, knowledge is power, making this site one of the most valuable sources for fellow ostomates! Hugs, jb

I get mucus about once every few months. I remember when it first happened to me I panicked. I thought, "Oh my gosh, I'm pooping when I shouldn't be able to." But then I found out what it was and I realized that it wasn't as big a deal as I thought it was. Now I don't deal with it that often. It's a pain when it does come up because it's hard to feel clean. But then it goes away. I forget about it until it happens again.

I have an ileostomy with my bowel removed, but a rectal stump, which means I still produce mucus.  It's been nearly five years for me, and the amount of mucus has not really changed.  It's not really predictable, fluctuates a lot, but it's never bothered me at all, mainly because I can control it.  It usually comes out when I pee and clench those muscles you use to have a BM.  I've never had it come out by itself.  I can see that the lack of control would be a big issue.  A Barbie butt might be the only solution.

Terry

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Thanks, Bill, for your input… no worries about dampening my optimism… I appreciate your comments… I need to hear this and I need to hear your doctor's comments about this surgery… reading other ostomates' stories about what their recovery looked like and the length of time it took to recover… makes me rethink what I actually need to do as opposed to what I want to do…

Like you, I've also been using tissue… I was looking forward to not having to do this anymore… but I guess I should be grateful that I have at least half of the problem taken care of… I just had my fourth grandchild and would like to be around to watch this one grow along with her siblings and cousin…

I liked your choice of words that clearly define the issue of ‘mucus'… stuck!… I may have to borrow an expressive rhyme… so I can cope too…

Take good care, Bill

Thanks for the hugs... I had to go and read your post... worth the read, my friend... good choice of words to describe this daily occurrence... mucus is such a slimy word... may have to use one of yours or "ghost turd" suggested by Beachboy...

Take good care, jb...

Thanks so much for your comments. I am happy that you only have to deal with it once in a while and have a positive attitude about the whole situation. I wish you all the best in your stoma journey.

Take good care, my friend.

Hi Terry… thanks for your comments… hearing that you just have a stump and you're dealing with mucus… doesn't make me hopeful… your suggestion of a Barbie butt is probably my only hope… but with the associated risks, I just am not comfortable with that solution, unfortunately… reading lots of ostomates' recovery stories… kinda makes me think… be thankful you have the pooping and the smell under control… just deal with it… and be thankful it isn't something worse… I appreciate your input…

Take good care, my friend…