Colostomy problem: Rectal discharge 18 months out

That's interesting and implies that the rectal wall is trying to correct a rare situation by just producing excess mucus. That's new information for me as all I've been told is that the cells are only doing what's natural. But 250ml a day would not be 'natural' for a rectum with digested food passing through it.

I don't like to grumble as it doesn't hurt and a pad more or less sorts out the problem. But it could take a pretty big pad to deal with my 'peak flow'.

That happened to me also, about four years after my colostomy I started having a discharge, it took me for ever to find out why it is happening. When we had the surgery that left a stump of a colon a few inches. We have mucus membranes in our colon to keep it moist and help the bowel movement pass easily. After the surgery we no long have anything passing, but the mucus membranes are still there and they become active because they have nothing to pass they pass the mucus discharge. I have never found anything to stop it.
One person a year or so ago told me that it is because we have no more short chain fatty acids going through or colon stump. He had actually tried fecal transplant to solve his problems. I actually tried that for a month or so and my doctor told me it was not a good thing to do so I stooped. My doctor says to just use an enema every morning to clean it out. It wont stop it but it keeps it clean. Good luck. I hate mine because it is having drainage all the time. I have found no solution.

I have frequent 'rattlers' from my stoma. I just brazen it out and apologise for my little friend's behaviour. At least the filter on my bag works well and noise is the lesser of two evils. Can't beat a good 'lol'.

If you have ended up with a colostomy I hope you have come to terms with it. My experience has been pretty uneventful. I'd say it was normalised for me after a year had passed. I had chemo, post op and I have some effects due to RT many years ago. At least you and I can say we expected to wake up after our surgery with a stoma. Waking up and finding it all a surprise would be much worse. It happened to a friend of mine and he was pretty shattered by his shock ileostomy after emergency surgery for something totally different.

Initially, life revolves about driving the little chap properly and being prepared for its surprises. My stoma nurses were very supportive but I realise that there are so many variations in the way stomas work for different people that it's basically a self drive exercise.

I have a similar problem to @bcstew. I had a colostomy op nearly two years ago to remove a tumor in the rectum;, along with some lymph nodes; about a third of the colon was removed, leaving a short rectal stump of about 4cm.

I can't complain because my stoma behaves itself pretty well, apart from a bit of irritation. It's the rectal stump that is so annoying. It produces vast quantities of mostly clear mucus. Whenever I pass water, my anus joins in and produces anything from 10ml to 40ml every time. I have to wear a pad all the time but I usually avoid the problem because I just don't stand to pee any more or the pad just overflows. I have to sit down. I measure the quantity of mucus fairly regularly and it varies from 10ml to 40ml every time. I estimate 250ml per day (That's about half a pint!!!) The colo-rectal department just say it's normal but what explains the huge quantity?

There is an added complication. I had a radical prostatectomy about ten years ago, followed by radiotherapy. The RT has left me with a bladder which (particularly since the colon surgery) has been irritated and with a low level infection. The bladder and the rectum seem to be talking to each other and cystitis and mucus levels seem to be related.

My question is basically is the production of half a pint of mucus, daily, a normal event? That sort of quantity never seems to be mentioned in discussions about rectal mucus; it's always nasty looking lumps that won't come out. Mine's clear and very liquid. Also, with such a small stump volume, I have to conclude that it's largely produced at the time of passing water.

I have this happen and my surgeon said its normal. I have even passed gas rectally one time. LOL

My appointment went very well. The surgeon has much experience in the APR surgery. He patiently answered all my questions and took time to share his thoughts on my condition. I’m waiting to get in for a MRI. The next available appointment isn’t until October. So I’m on a wait list. I have been experiencing stomach pains and will call the doctor’s office on Monday. I hope I can a MRI very soon and then schedule the surgery.

@rioa21, how did your appointment go?

The stoma is fine. The pain and pressure feeling emanates from the area up inside where the annus use to be before the surgery. Also had several abscesses right after the colon was removed. Those eventually cleared up, after the rectum was removed, but left a large scar on my abdomen from the drainage tubes. Just like most medical procedures we, along with the doctor, need to evaluate the benefit and risk factors. Hope your surgery is very successful with no after effects. Many are.

I will be seeing a colorectal surgeon tomorrow at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I have a list of questions for him. He is the second surgeon that I’ve seen. The first was at MUSC. I’m disturbed to hear about your pain. Is it from the stoma? The incisions? Please explain more. I want to be as prepared as possible. Thanks