Rectal Stump Mucus causes extreme pressure and discomfort (no pain)
(Loop Colostomy, Dec 2023) Every day, often a few times a day, I feel much pressure and discomfort in my rectal stump because of rectal mucus. No pain. But the effect is horrendous, like sitting on a golf ball or marble, and has sent me to Valium or alcohol on more than one occasion. (Not good solutions, I know.) I use a water enema to flush out the mucus which can be tiny solid bits, or thready pieces which look like egg white. And yes I've tried glycerine suppositories, and also zinc ointment. My surgeon did a Flex Sig (Flexible Sigmoidoscope) in hospital in late January and two weeks later a brief sigmoidoscope in his office and still found nothing. He scripted me Proctodan-HC (Pramoxine Hydrochloride, Hydrocortisone Acetate & Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate) suppositories. No help really. He's sending me for a second opinion to another doctor. He does not want to do a stump removal...they can end up being worse than the problem. I've read all I can find so far on the subject, talked to ostomy nurses and others. No one has any additional advice.
Any one else have this problem? Any solutions out there? Please.
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I’ve had my colostomy since the end of October. I have read a lot about mucus discharges. Fortunately for me, I haven’t had to deal too much with it. I’ve had some discharge but not enough to have any pain or discomfort. I had enough of that before my treatment shrunk the cancer. Everyone is different.
Hi @piki, I'm tagging fellow member @mahmudhasan @kenc @patriotspride @marco789 @rioa21 @katey122 and others to join this discussion. You may also appreciate this related discussion:
- Colostomy problem: Rectal discharge 18 months out
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/colostomy-problem/
It is tough when solutions are not easy to find. I hope you get answers at your second opinion. What do you do to get relief in the meantime?