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Colostomy problem: Rectal discharge 18 months out
Ostomy & J-Pouch | Last Active: Jul 1 7:12pm | Replies (61)Comment receiving replies
I had my surgery about 18 weeks ago for a ruptured bowel and I am 80 years old and do not know if I can go through with another surgery, so I am thinking about not having it reversed. I have had slight discharges all along after about a month and my doctor told me it was not uncommon for that to happen at a small rate as long as you are not bleeding. My rectum isn't even hooked up to my bowl, so I have no idea where it comes from. I have been wearing a pad since my surgery for my urine control after they put a catheter in me prior to other issues. If you feel like there is to much fluid coming out I would check with my doctor and let them know. Kas
Replies to "I had my surgery about 18 weeks ago for a ruptured bowel and I am 80..."
I too am eighty years old. Have had an ostomy for many years now. It is normal to have a random mucus discharge from your rectum. It is the natural bowl lubricant.
Without this discharge, the mucus could build up into a grey "ghost turd". That's what they called it!
I am doing fine as is and have no intentions of ever doing a reversal. Give yourself time to adjust.
I am 78 and decided when I got my colostomy that I was not ready for another surgery and decided to wait until I had to have it. If I had a problem that made it mandatory for surgery, It has not happen yet and I fear another surgery. With each one it just becomes closer to a problem happening. So I am not having a reversal. My colostomy surgery was 4/18/2017, and so far no problems. I have had so many surgeries that I fear another one if it is not needed.
I change my bag once a week maybe even 9 days. I always clean my skin well with washing it and them I use an alcohol wipe or two to sterilize the skin around my stoma so I am not putting the flange/faceplate over bacteria that may be left behind from washing. I have never had a skin break out and I really believe it is because I use the alcohol wipes first so no bacteria can grow under the flange.
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I got a diversion colitis in my rectum about 2 months after my colostomy. I had a reversal and that was supposed to take care of it but I ended up needing a hemmorhoidectomy. I would have spontaneous mucous discharges and a stabbing pain every couple days plus blood but I did have hemorrhoids too. I found out after the fact that there are foams and meds that can be used to help that especially if you have a permanent colostomy.