UOAA Discussion Board

Hello, both myself and my 93 year old Dad have colostomies. Recently, Dad has had some stools about the size of a grape from his rectum while still producing in the colostomy bag. I've not experienced this myself and can't seem to find anything online about this. Would appreciate any information from board members. He's had the colostomy for almost two years now and this has only started recently and only happened a few times.

Thanks in advance for any advice !

Sounds like you are describing a mucous plug. Essentially, the residual anatomy from the rectum continues to produce mucous because it thinks that it still has a job to do... but, in reality, there are just a bunch of unused mucous cells that eventually form a plug, or in this case, a grape like shape, and then need to find a way out. Nothing to worry about, it's completely normal for folks with intact residual anatomy. Some folks have a lot, some don't. If he feels like he needs to have a bowel movement the old fashioned way, then encourage him to do so. It's always a good idea to mention it to your doctors however as they will know your past medical history better than we do here.

Hope that helps.

David

Thank you. I know myself at times I feel the need for an old fashioned movement but normally just end up with a greyish smear on the toilet paper! His just surprised me. I appreciate the info. Will bring it up with his doctor the next time I take him.

Every few years I get a few days of that greyish looking clay output as well. The risks associated with removing the rest of my rectum aren't worth it right so, so I just deal with it when it happens.

Sometimes I use an enema bottle and put a tiny bit of water up there to rinse the mucous out if it starts to feel uncomfortable