UOAA Discussion Board

I've had my colostomy for 10 years. For the past 2 weeks I've had water in my pouch. The water is brown and definitely comes from my intestine, a little bit at a time throughout the day and night. I usually have one large movement each day, in the afternoon or evening, so there is no blockage. I'm concerned because the main function of the large intestine is to absorb water from the feces. Does anyone know what might be causing this?

More info - with a clean pouch, the water in the pouch was a very pale yellow instead of brown. So I think the brown color that I had been seeing was from the residue in the pouch. I think the water is abdominal fluid leaking into the colon, but my surgeon says it's nothing to worry about. It still makes me nervous.

I'm also dealing with a possible leak that is mystifying doctors. I never heard of this. I did have blood in my pouch and my surgeons said it was from the stoma when it was NOT. A CT-scan proved that and I needed surgery. I hope you don't need that but keep pushing or switch doctors. Ask for for CT-scan or MRI. Hope you have the insurance to cover it.

Good luck!