Blood Clots in Ostomy Bag - Need Advice!

Hi friends :)

I have a concern and a worry that brings on this question! I had emergency surgery 5 years ago and that's how I ended up with a colostomy. This past June I had another emergency surgery due to a blockage caused by my small intestine slipping into a muscle and some hernia repairs. So now I have mesh in a lot of my stomach. I healed up very well but then I had a seroma (pocket of fluid) between the mesh and my skin. So I had a drain in for over a month. They took the tube out a week and a half ago and said it would take my body time to reabsorb the liquid. Since then I have had two very large clots and blood in my bag on two occasions. The first one was as large as my hand and the second one was larger. I was scared out of my wits and will be calling the doctor in the morning. We don't have any ostomy specialist anywhere near where I live. Has anyone else had large clots like that in their bag? There is no pain with them at all. Could this be the reabsorption of that fluid?

Any help would be great!

Thank you and big hugs!!

J.J

Hi J.J.  So sorry for your present situation and I can't even imagine the large clots.  I'm guessing stool covered with some blood could look like a clot but what do I know.  I just want you to get better by getting the help you need as soon as you can.  Would your medical people be willing to refer you to someone who specializes?  Could your family get you there?  Maybe some folks near you know of someone who deals with ostomies regularly.  I can't even figure how the surgeries you experienced could be responsible for clotting inside your colon.  Again, I just don't know and the more I write the more stupid I feel.  Please get help and keep us posted.

Respectfully,

Mike

JJ - You need to check the color of the clots. If they are black, that is blood and you should call your doctor ASAP. That is a sign of internal bleeding. Check the color when you empty the bag. You may also see some bright red blood along with the clot. Same cause. Good luck and get better.

J.J.,

What's going on... did you call your doctor? How are you today? Let us know, we're thinking of you .

Hi all! I had surgery Wednesday ... Well, 8 days ago in fact! I am home with a wound vac and feeling much better :) Thank you to everyone for the well wishes and input and advice. I had an infection from a seroma which stemmed from surgery for a blockage and hernia repair/mesh placement in June! Fresh!! I am over all of this already lol!! I am being scheduled to see a G.I. Doctor after I am all healed up!!

Thanks again and hugs!!

J.J.

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Hi J.J. Glad you are feeling much better and your surgery went well. Take care and wishing you a quick recovery. LH

Hi JJ,

Eight days and you're up and about already, that is fantastic! Soon it will be a distant memory and I hope you don't have to have another op for a very long time!