Rectal Stump Issue: Mild proctitis and hard to heal, any tips?

Posted by hotrodder @hotrodder, Aug 4 6:00am

I had permanent ileostomy in March, developed Ileus, back in hospital for another 2 wks. Doing fine now with ileostomy pouch. I have about 2” of a rectum stump. My colon is completely gone. I get mucus and some light blood discharge and pressure from time to time, seems any lifting and or bending flares this, back to the bathroom and staying home…. VERY frustrating! Anyone else deal with this healing process of the rectal stump? How long does this rectal stump take to heal? P.S. Dr’s are tapering Prednisone and starting Clytezo to help RA inflammation

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@hotrodder it probably depends on why you had the ileostomy. If you have inflammatory bowel disease, like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease it might be because there is disease in the rectal stump.

If the bleeding and pressure is enough to keep you home, it's certainly something to talk to your medical team about.

Have you talked to your doctor about this?

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Yes, doesn't want to do anymore surgery until about year, (was hospitalized twice total of 5 wks past year) waiting to see of it'll heal on its own. Have had years of UC recurring frequently. Even had severe flare while on Rinvoq for 10 months. My colon was pretty much a mess and started at lower and spread throughout, couldn't take waiting for next flare and being a prisoner to it. That’s why decided to have colon removed. Praying the Clytezo and getting off the Prednisone helps! I’ve heard bad stories of having a Barbie-Butt. don't want anymore issues. Can’t find much info on researching the rectal stump issues and how to resolve. Any suggesting where to look?

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Profile picture for hotrodder @hotrodder

Yes, doesn't want to do anymore surgery until about year, (was hospitalized twice total of 5 wks past year) waiting to see of it'll heal on its own. Have had years of UC recurring frequently. Even had severe flare while on Rinvoq for 10 months. My colon was pretty much a mess and started at lower and spread throughout, couldn't take waiting for next flare and being a prisoner to it. That’s why decided to have colon removed. Praying the Clytezo and getting off the Prednisone helps! I’ve heard bad stories of having a Barbie-Butt. don't want anymore issues. Can’t find much info on researching the rectal stump issues and how to resolve. Any suggesting where to look?

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@hotrodder I'm sorry to hear you are having issues with the rectal stump after your colectomy for UC.

I'm curious as to what stories you've heard about having Barbie Butt? Is it the surgical recovery, or complications afterwards?

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Recovery kinda rough sitting, riding in car but issues of pain & extreme pressure because no opening to relieve any mucus that builds up.
Do they or can the UC be TOTALY be removed from the stump then sewn to barbie-butt?
Don't understand procedure I guess, trying to do research

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Profile picture for hotrodder @hotrodder

Recovery kinda rough sitting, riding in car but issues of pain & extreme pressure because no opening to relieve any mucus that builds up.
Do they or can the UC be TOTALY be removed from the stump then sewn to barbie-butt?
Don't understand procedure I guess, trying to do research

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@hotrodder Rectal stump removal (or proctectomy), removes the rectum, so there isn't anything left to create mucous. I'm not sure if they would do it otherwise, because you are right, where would the mucous go?

I had my j-pouch excised back in 2002 and part of that was removing the rectal muscles and closing the anus. As far as I can tell, I still have anal sphincter muscles, because I can clench them. The surgeon wanted to do the rectal removal as a separate surgery, but I didn't want to have ongoing issues with the remnant because that's where all the disease was (anal abscesses, fissure and fistula).

Recovery was uncomfortable for me. It took about 8 weeks before I returned to work, because I had a desk job and had to be able to sit all day. But long term, I haven't had any problem sitting in a car/plane for long periods of time.

There seems to be some variations on rectal stump removal. Sometimes the anal sphincter is removed, sometimes not. It appears that they preserve it if they can, but since this is often done for rectal cancer and anal cancer, they can't always do that.

I think it's a good conversation to have with your surgeon, especially about any of the complications post surgery.

Have you talked with a surgeon yet?

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Profile picture for Susan F, Volunteer Mentor @susanf8

@hotrodder Rectal stump removal (or proctectomy), removes the rectum, so there isn't anything left to create mucous. I'm not sure if they would do it otherwise, because you are right, where would the mucous go?

I had my j-pouch excised back in 2002 and part of that was removing the rectal muscles and closing the anus. As far as I can tell, I still have anal sphincter muscles, because I can clench them. The surgeon wanted to do the rectal removal as a separate surgery, but I didn't want to have ongoing issues with the remnant because that's where all the disease was (anal abscesses, fissure and fistula).

Recovery was uncomfortable for me. It took about 8 weeks before I returned to work, because I had a desk job and had to be able to sit all day. But long term, I haven't had any problem sitting in a car/plane for long periods of time.

There seems to be some variations on rectal stump removal. Sometimes the anal sphincter is removed, sometimes not. It appears that they preserve it if they can, but since this is often done for rectal cancer and anal cancer, they can't always do that.

I think it's a good conversation to have with your surgeon, especially about any of the complications post surgery.

Have you talked with a surgeon yet?

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@susanf8
We have an appointment in 3 wks.
Thank you for info, much appreciated
Will keep you updated and or if I have anymore question's

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I had a permanent ileostomy in March which is doing fine but, My rectal stump (10cm) has been hard to heal, had scope this week and results mild Proctitis. Tried mesasalimine didn't help, now going to start Hydrocortisone enema. Anyone have this issue and if so, your results

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Profile picture for hotrodder @hotrodder

I had a permanent ileostomy in March which is doing fine but, My rectal stump (10cm) has been hard to heal, had scope this week and results mild Proctitis. Tried mesasalimine didn't help, now going to start Hydrocortisone enema. Anyone have this issue and if so, your results

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My Daughter had a complete colectomy at one month and the biggest problem was the rectal stump not healing. She had years of complete healing and then it would come back. Toward her later teenage years, the stump became infected again and the infection started tunneling into organs in the abdomen. Long story short, it was lack of blood flow to the area that made it difficult to heal. A surgeon had to move some muscle tissue into the abdominal area to heal the infections and she had a Kock pouch put in to replace her ileostomy. Today she has a very happy and has kind of glamorous life as a photographer in Hollywood. She loves her doctors in California and plans to never move.

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Profile picture for hotrodder @hotrodder

I had a permanent ileostomy in March which is doing fine but, My rectal stump (10cm) has been hard to heal, had scope this week and results mild Proctitis. Tried mesasalimine didn't help, now going to start Hydrocortisone enema. Anyone have this issue and if so, your results

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Oh WOW, So glad she’s doing well now, I don’t have infection just mild proctitis so far. Trying Hydrocortisone enema to try and calm it down and Clytezo for my RA inflammation. Just been journey as everyone on this sight knows. Thank you for your feedback
God Bless

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Profile picture for hotrodder @hotrodder

I had a permanent ileostomy in March which is doing fine but, My rectal stump (10cm) has been hard to heal, had scope this week and results mild Proctitis. Tried mesasalimine didn't help, now going to start Hydrocortisone enema. Anyone have this issue and if so, your results

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Anybody else have trouble with tgeir rectal stump healing

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