HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Permanent Ileostomy or J-pouch???

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 2
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/16/2014 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
     I just have a question here.  What exactly is a "rectal stump"?   Before my surgery I suffered with ulcerative proctitis.  My colon only had minor diverticulosis, but my rectum was a mess.  My surgeon told me they would not just remove the rectum, that the entire colon had to go with UP because the disease would only manifest itself further into my colon.  He removed my rectum and colon and I have a permanent ileo.  I still have my anus.  From time to time, I have a bit of mucus that comes out (I swear it comes out my vagina, but was told it probably comes out the anus...go figure rolleyes )  Otherwise, I feel great!!! yeah    My operation was on June 28, 2010.  I am now 67 yrs old and have no regrets....oh yes..I do...NOT HAVING THE OPERATION SOONER!!!
Posted 2/16/2014 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
The "rectal stump" is what is left over when you have step 1 of a 3 step jpouch- the colon is removed but the rectum is left there ckosed off from any fecal stream. I still have one, as I had step 1 of 3 because my UC was *slightly* indeterminate and also because I wasnt quite aure that I really wanted a jpouch; after my colon was removed and I got a end ileo, I have since decided that I definitely dont ever want a jpouch, and I much prefer the convenience of never having to worry about any urge to go, or risking pouchitis etc. i have had no pain or rectal issues at all other than a bit if mucus to squirt out every 3 days or so voluntarily. I dint olan ti get it removed unless I get issues one day and/or annual rectal scooe shows any reason for me to go see the butcher again.
Posted 2/16/2014 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
@ByeByeUC - oh cool! thats great news about yours and your sisters pouch. I really want to have a pouch but again I worry about complications or it not being as I'd hoped. With the bag its an adjustment but I live my life pretty normally and I'm still healing and figuring things out. I want to be able to lift weights and do tough mudders and stuff like that again so it's a matter of figuring out which would fit my lifestyle more. Again, I just worry that the pouch will not function as I'd hope.
Posted 2/17/2014 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
I also discharge blood and gunk out of my rectum on a daily basis.... approximataly 5 times a day. My consultant calls it diverse colitis. I still chose to agree to a J-pouch though as my consultant was happy to go ahead with it. I've been told by a few consultants that the diverse colitis is caused by your body having withdrawal symptoms from not using hte toilet the conventional way. I'm assured that this will clear once the J-pouch has been constructed and working.
Posted 2/20/2014 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
I had subtotal colectomy on Dec 22nd last year (2013)

I still have my rectum. I still get mucus and some blood but no urgency. I now ususally release it once every two days or so. its not a problem.

I am coping very well with the end ileostomy. I eat what I want and am doing a lot of high intensity sports now. football, boxing, running, gym etc.

I do need to empty my bag about 7-8 times a day and once at night. I think its because I have a big appetite and I eat a generous dinner and not too early, around 8pm on average, sometimes later.

I am pretty sure I will go for the J Pouch. I know there are risks involved, and I am coping fine with the ileostomy so I could live with it permanently.

but the way i see it, if my j pouch functions ok, it will be better than the ileostomy.

going to the toilet 7-8 times a day and once at night (which is common) is not such a big deal as I do that with the bag anyway. Fine I don't have urgency with the bag, but you shouldn't have urgency with the pouch either. If i let the bag get too full it will just burst so I don't see a big difference other than one involves sitting on the toilet and wiping after, and the other involves emptying the bag whilst on your knees by the toilet.

I also think that i will find sports a lot better with the pouch. I do have to take extra care with hernia and potential trauma with the stoma

also i find it annoying having the bag around tight clothes/jeans etc.

as i said, i could live with it and have been doing so fine, but if the pouch works then this is the better option for me

Post Edited (shainy) : 2/20/2014 4:55:36 AM (GMT-7)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12