Is Discharge from a Rectal Stump Normal

Some people may have their rectum and large intestine removed in the event of IBD. That means, they’re getting everything removed and the output goes through the stool rather than the rectum. 

Occasionally though, there is discharge from where your bottom is, even though have a stoma.  You may wonder if there is a concern for this, but here, we’ll discuss what a rectum output and leak is and whether to treat this or not. 

Why it Might discharge 

The rectum is tissue that’s living and will create mucus even when it’s not hooked up, and stool isn’t passing through this. Mucus is part of stool normally, but not usually present enough for it to be visible in some cases.

 

Without stool, you may see mucus in the rectum, and it becomes apparent. Usually, this is a watery consistency, and you may wonder if you should worry. Gauze or a napkin usually helps with this, and you can even just sit on the toilet to push the mucus out of there. Usually though, it isn’t very common. 

When Should I be Worried 

Usually, you shouldn’t be too worried. For most people, after they get the ostomy surgery, they just see an output from the stoma itself, and that needs to be changed so that it doesn’t fill up too much. 

But in some cases, the mucus may be too much, and it might be bothersome, or has a bad odor. In some cases, it also may be a green or a yellowish color, which in that case, it may be another problem, and it may also lead to infection in the area. If that’s the case, you will want to make sure that you talk to your doctor, to ensure that if you have any symptoms or pain along with this, they are treated. 

If there is blood, that’s when you definitely should talk to them.  It may not be serious, but in other cases, it might be a serious problem for many people. If that’s the case, you should talk to your doctor or healthcare provider if you need someone to make sure that it’s nothing to be worried about. Sometimes, this discharge also make you feel like you have to sit on your toilet, even with a stoma. This can be a very confusing thing but remember that it isn’t just stool that comes out of there, but also mucus too, and that’s actually quite normal. 

The tissues within your rectum do still make substances and bacteria, since it is still a living area. Normally, these leave in the form of your stool, but since you have the ostomy that diverts it, they just leave the body on their own. The one downside to this is that it’s hard for these fluids to be contained since they are not mixed within the stool. 

Having leaks also doesn’t mean that the ostomy is reversed either.  In some cases, there may be some excess stool and mucus and fluids may still be in there, even after surgery. 

The only time you might want to talk to your doctor about this, is fi it starts to be a foul smell, causes pain, or if it’s a strange color. If you notice blood in there too, you also might want to talk to your health care provider as that could be a sign of a serious concern, and it’s something that a lot of people do struggle with as well when they are trying to cope with life after an ostomy surgery, and the problems with it. 

Having a morning brew and a stoma change

The warm smell of coffee is literally what keeps me going.  I somehow wonder what I would do if the world went to H. E. double hockey sticks and I was left with no coffee.  That would be a tragedy but this morning was just like any other morning. Well except that I am forced to be trapped at home due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  So it is a little different, but I was thinking about coffee as I drink my morning cup of coffee.  It is part of my routine.  I wake up, let the dogs out, hit the bathroom, and turn on the coffee machine.  I am a little vague on what machine because sometimes it's a pot or sometimes it's a K-cup machine or now it really is mostly Cold-Brew.. To be honest, I am not that picky when it comes to coffee as long as I have some.  Drinking coffee started at a young age but I really didn’t drink much until I turned mid 30’s and needed to be awake in the morning and fast.  

I began as any basic b. would, and I started by drinking it with sugar and creamer.  But as the years have gone on and my health has gotten worse I have started to simply drink it black.  Thank goodness I have evolved as a man and a coffee drinker.  Now having an ostomy causes a few questions that always crack me up.  Does coffee still do the same thing in the morning with one as it would without?  Well if you don’t get my meaning the average person who drinks coffee generally finds themselves on the toilet pretty quick after their first cup of coffee in the morning.  The proverbial mud butt.  Well, that is indeed why I use a good brand from a major manufacturer for all of my gear.  But in all seriousness yes, it is the same! It happens fast and in a rush.  

So it may just be my body, but I want a good seal on all my gear.  I tried a bunch of stuff starting out and there are lots of good companies and people willing to help. I ended up mostly using a few of the big brand names for my gear because they let me try it all first.  They also spent time with me to understand my needs and wants.  I may be a picky coffee drinker, but I am way worse when it comes to gear.  If I am planning a trip I want to make sure I am safe and don't even have to think about my stoma when hiking or skiing.  

But my coffee in the morning is still the same and the effects are still the same, and I don’t worry about it.  Having the right equipment keeps me safe and from any intense leaks!  Nothing could be worse than a shart times 10 if you know what I mean.  And if you are offended, by me writing this, lighten up.  Try to have some humor in life because that is the best way to make it through difficult situations.  Be wise and don't be a jerk when something goes wrong and life will be cool. So be kind, and enjoy a nice morning cup of coffee.

Are you using the right gear for your stoma?

When is enough actually enough?  This is something my wife tells me all the time and that is because I am a huge gear junky.  It probably happened because of how I was raised, but I always like to have the right tool for the right job and it really doesn't matter what area it falls into.  If it comes to working in the garage, hunting, or the car I simply like to have the best gear and I like to make sure that it is going to work for me and make me happy.  If I am like this in other areas, then why wouldn't I think the same way for my stoma?  When it comes to ostomy gear I think we all should be on the search and hunt to find the best gear that allows us the most comfort and happiness in life.  Some people simply find something that does the job and they settle.  There may actually be something that can make their lives legitimately better and they don't even go out and ever find it.  Well, I don't want that to be you.  I want you to live the best life you can and when it comes to getting the right gear for your stoma I want to take you through my routine of finding that gear. 

 

Everyone researches differently.  I have a degree that is based on research and how to find all kinds of information and disseminate and rule on it.  But that doesn't change the fact that I like to search for ostomy gear just like the next regular guy or gal.  So why would anyone not start by searching the internet?  They most definitely should and that is where I start all of my searches and work on the things I want to accomplish.  What this means is that if I am going to head out on a vacation in a new area then I want to make sure my ostomy gear is going to perform in that area. So I want to start with when I wanted to go hiking in the mountains in the Grand Tetons. 

 

At this point, many people will say that those with a stoma shouldn't go hiking or do anything crazy.  To them, I say B.S., and I mean it.  Go live and be free.  There are people who have done Iron Man Competitions with a stoma and that is so much more intense than simply hiking.  But I digress a little.  The first thing I did was to search for hiking and high elevation with a stoma.   I found a lot of good information and then I took that information and called up the few major manufacturers who produce the products suggested.

 

I wanted to know about high elevation and things I should think about when hiking in the mountains and their products that were made for it.  I found some good help and ended up talking with a few engineers on it. I highly suggest doing this on your own because not all gear works for everyone.  It is important to also talk it over with your healthcare provider to make sure this is something that will work for you as well. But go out have fun and get the best gear.