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A bit graphic but need some advice
 |
Oct 23, 2018 - 11:19 pm
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 |
Joined: Jul 2017
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.
Joined: Oct 2018
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.
Joined: Nov 2001
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.
Joined: Mar 2010
Would a suppository laxative help?
Smaller, gentler, might give the "oomph" you need.
Alice
Joined: Sep 2014
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
Joined: Feb 2009
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
Joined: Sep 2014
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
Joined: Mar 2010
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
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