A bit graphic but need some advice

JanJan63
JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Okay, so I've had the ostomy for over 4 years. So nothing comes out rectally except some mucous which is normal. I'm having a problem that I've had before and I still don't know what to do. The mucous has bult up in my rectum for the entire 7 plus weeks since the surgery. I had it when I went in but I assume they cleaned it out. So it's been bulding up again. I have a very tight rectum. All the years of diarrhea from IBS is why. I have almost no muscles down there and it just sits there. Eventually it'll start slowly coming out but in the meantime I feel like I'm horribly constipated and it even hurst to sit down. I've spent a lot of time sitting on the toilet or on heating pads or whatever to get some relief but it's not happening.

I've searched for answers but can't find one that fits my situation. It always says to use a laxative. But nothing I take is actually going to get in there and I think that's how those products work. Or he said to get an enema kit but I'm terrified of that. When my doctor went to do just a digital check in the hospital I was screaming, that's how much it hurts. I stopped going to him for check ups because he moved and no longer had a pedo one which I can barely tolerate but is better. 

I'm scared of the pain but I'm also scared of how miserable I'll feel if I do an enema and it still doesn't come out but now has fluid in there as well. Or if it works but takes a couple of days it would be bad because I see my onc on Thursday and it's a long drive and then a long wait.

I don't know what to do and it's starting to make me feel sick. I'm getting nauseus from it. Any suggestions? Or do you think a laxative would work?

I hope someone has a suggestion, I'm just miserable.

Jan

Comments

  • plsletitrain
    plsletitrain Member Posts: 252 Member
    #2
    This might not be the answer you're looking for...

    ...but whenever I'm stuck on the toilet seat because I feel constipated, I try to walk and thankfully the mucus (or whatever its supposed to come out) gets lost.  I've had a few times when I'd sit for hours, hated that I felt that urge yet nothing comes out  and then when I've had enough, I told myself "screw you, come out whenever you want" and then I walk and try to forget it and for some reason, it disappears.

    Sorry it was not valuable but I just wish you'd find something that works for you.  My stoma is 1 1/2 years old.

  • Peter_S
    Peter_S Member Posts: 109
    #3
    Hi Jan This is going to be ok....

    When we get frustrated our already elevated anxiety level starts to sky rocket so I would first suggest that you do whatever you can for as long as you can to try and relax. I know this is easier said than done - but maybe it's as simple as some music you love, a cup of your favorite tea or coffee a bath, anything. 

    If the muscles around the rectum are very tight try using a finger to gently massage around the area without giving yourself undue pressure to accomplish anything - other than to relax a little, remember to breath deep and slowly, close your eyes, lay on your side and say "tushy..it's about time you and I got along better" bad joke I know. But I believe if you can take the fear and anxiety out of this equation you would be bound to have better results.

     

    Maybe you might want to take steps to ensure your privacy, hug your favorite teddy bear whatever it is that makes you feel safe and secure just do it. When you're ready see if you can poke the tip of a finger in, just a tiny bit if you have a favorite lube or oil that's safe make sure you have plenty of and that you use plenty of it - have tissues around for easy clean up. I think the goal here is to try and retrain these muscles because the sphincter can clamp shut like a bank vault and ain't no one no how gettin' in. This is one muscle you're going to need to baby.

     

    Try and find those child enemas again, check amazon if you're not a prime member or even if you are pay the extra for next day shipping if it's offered.

     

    Fleet makes glycerin suppositories which you take (insert in the rectum) at night, they melt quickly and may offer you the relief you need by morning.

     

    Above all, and most importantly visit a Dr or at least call and speak to one, or a nurse so you have a professionals input. I was told recently to take a cap full of MiraLax in a cup of hot coffee and it did work for a while - it's back to the drawing board for me but for a while there things got moving along so to speak. Remember too, that you need to drink lot's and lots of water.

     

    You'll get through this Jan, you've been through much worse and fought greater battles I hope you feel better soon and have some much needed relief.

     

    Peter
  • ron50
    ron50 Member Posts: 1,723 Member
    edited October 2018 #4
    Hi Jan

      Sorry you are having problems again. I don't see a laxative being much use I tend to think that anything it moved would finish up in the ostomy bag, I think that the only option you have is a mini enema to clear out the last of the remaining colon. I suffer from droids big time so any time I have to use an enema I do a fair bit of ground work with some proctocedyl . It is basically a lidnocain cream and will remove a lot of the pain of inserting even someting a s small as a miralax micro enema. . I think it will relax the muscles and give you some relief. Good luck Ron.

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #5
    Would a suppository laxative help?

    Smaller, gentler, might give the "oomph" you need.

    Alice

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #6
    Thanks for the suggestions

    Thanks for the suggestions everyone. It's finally starting to come out slowly as of last night. Enough that it doesn't hurt so much, anyway. Hopefully over the next couple of days it will empty out completely. Or at least enough to make me comfortable again.

    It just seems like every time I start feeling better from something, a new thing pops up and I feel like crap again. 

    Jan

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #7
    I'm so sorry

    That just sounds awful.  I'm not sure what other suggestion I'd be able to make besides the suppositories.  I'm glad that it is coming out somewhat and you feel a little better.  Wish that you can find a doctor that can address this issue and come up with a better solution than you just "waiting" for that to come out.  Also, you never need to feel bad about addressing anything "graphic" on this board.  With this disease it can take your humility and throw it right out the window.  Hope all goes well with your doctors appointment on Thursday.  Maybe you could discuss the situation with them and see if they can suggest another doctor to help with this issue.

    Kim

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #8
    Annabelle41415 said:

    I'm so sorry

    That just sounds awful.  I'm not sure what other suggestion I'd be able to make besides the suppositories.  I'm glad that it is coming out somewhat and you feel a little better.  Wish that you can find a doctor that can address this issue and come up with a better solution than you just "waiting" for that to come out.  Also, you never need to feel bad about addressing anything "graphic" on this board.  With this disease it can take your humility and throw it right out the window.  Hope all goes well with your doctors appointment on Thursday.  Maybe you could discuss the situation with them and see if they can suggest another doctor to help with this issue.

    Kim

    Thanks Kim! It's not entirely

    Thanks Kim! It's not entirely possible to talk about colon cancer without talking about parts that we'd rather not discuss, is it? And, you're right, any dignity I had has been tossed out long ago.

    When I had my daughter I had an epesiotomy (sp?) and it seemd like everyone in the hospital wanted to have a look at it. I remember one guy coming in my room and asking if he could have a look. I said 'are you the only person in the hopsital that hasn't seen it?' ha ha. Later I realized he hadn't been dressed as a doctor and I start wondering who I'd let look! There's also a funny gas story about that time but I'll save it for later. The point is the loss of dignity.

     

    Jan

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #9
    JanJan63 said:

    Thanks Kim! It's not entirely

    Thanks Kim! It's not entirely possible to talk about colon cancer without talking about parts that we'd rather not discuss, is it? And, you're right, any dignity I had has been tossed out long ago.

    When I had my daughter I had an epesiotomy (sp?) and it seemd like everyone in the hospital wanted to have a look at it. I remember one guy coming in my room and asking if he could have a look. I said 'are you the only person in the hopsital that hasn't seen it?' ha ha. Later I realized he hadn't been dressed as a doctor and I start wondering who I'd let look! There's also a funny gas story about that time but I'll save it for later. The point is the loss of dignity.

     

    Jan

    Agree on the episiotomy story, Jan

    It reached the point where I flashed anyone coming into the room, because I was sure that's what they'd be asking to see...  Even the guy with the broom  Wink

    And I, too, have learned that once you've been in the hospital ALL modesty goes out the window.  Especially on some of these boards, where we must discuss so-called "forbidden topics" nothing is off limits.  (I had my big series of questions 2 years ago when I learned I would be losing part of my vagina to this disease.  Oh, the things we share!)

    Sending love,

    Alice

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