Drainage from Rectum

Hi! I'm not new with having a colostomy but, after 24 + years, I still have questions. My reason for having a colostomy is due to cervical and bladder cancer. I developed a fistula due to radiation. Last year, they changed mine from a loop ostomy to an end ostomy. I've had leakage from my vagina since then. No fistula and the Doctor is scratching his head! He's gone in twice to clean it out, to no avail 😢
I also have some drainage from my rectum as well which I've been told is sloughing.
My question is, has anyone experienced this? And at what point does a Dr decide it's time to close off the rectum?

Thanks in advance
Bekah

Edited to add a Subject Line... Shaz

Post Edited By Moderator (Shaz032) : 7/5/2017 6:47:42 AM (GMT-6)

Bekah:
It sounds as though you have residual recrtum - a minimalist rectal cuff (usually 1 inch or less of distal rectal tissue) or a rectal stump (usually 1 - 4 inches of remaining rectum) with an intact anus and sphincter. That is, your lbackside" is not sutured or surgically closed.

It is perfectly normal to experience discharge of mucus and serous fluids from the residual rectum. Perfectly normal. The discharge is benign and is of no harm.

The residual rectal tissues are alive and have no idea that the rest of your rectum has been respected and is departed. From the limited perspective of your recral cuff, nothing has changed. The rectal cuff, as a living tissue, will continue to produce mucus, serous fluids, and long chain fatty acids. In an intact digestive tract, it is the production of these secretions that lubricates the lower digestive tract and enables fecal matter to move through the length of the digestive tract and exit the anus. Secretions, especially long-chain fatty acids, play a key role in nourishing the rectum and anus.

Lack of long-chain fatty acids in a detached and diverted rectum lends to heightened inflammation and pain, called proctitis. Disuse proctitis is the term used to describe a diverted rectum where lack of normal mucus and long-chain fatty acids leads to dry, parched residual rectal tissue. Proctitis can be mighty painful with accompanying low grade fever.

What your physician is describing as sloughing is normal cellular turnover. The rectal cuff is composed of epithelial cells that will normally be replaced as a part of the cellular lifespan.

"Mucus poop" is the casual term given to rectal discharge from a diverted rectum. Mucus poops can be grey to light tan to brown in color. They consist of mucus, serous fluids, and fatty acids produced by the epithelial cells of the remaining rectal cuff. In an intact digestive tract, these fluids help to moisten and lubricate the rectum so that feces is able to leave the body.

For most people, the remaining tissues of the rectal stump or rectal cuff will atrophy and shrink in the months after surgery to remove the colon. As the tissues atrophy and shrink, the frequency of passing mucus poops diminishes.

Normal passing of mucus poops is every few days of about 1 reasooon.

Mucus discharge is annoying at best and can be messy.

There are discrete personal hygiene pads designed specifically to control anal discharge. These pads fit between the cheeks of the buttocks, directly over the anus. The lads are called "Butterfly Pads" and are found on Amazon for about $12 for a package of 45 pads. I highly recommend "Butterdly Pads."

I have a small 1 inch rectal cuff that is overly zealous in producing mucus. I adapted with ease to my ileostomy but was struggling with the annoying mucus discharge. Finding the "Butterfly Pads" has been personally uplifting and of significant positive benefit. If you are becoming frayed by the anguish of mucus poops, know that "Butterfly Pads" are available to come to your rescue.
Karen

Likewise Seashell and I also thank you.
Michael A