Tips for Managing Mucous

[lenacare]

Hello,
My 90-year old mother is two months into her recovery from ileostomy surgery. Her bowel had become increasingly inflamed over a two month period, after several hospitalizations and courses of antibiotic treatments for various infections. At the end of April, her bowel was completely removed in an emergency surgery due to an undiagnosed bowel blockage. A mucous fistulae was also created because the rectum was too sick to have its end safely closed. Given her advanced age, there are no plans for additional surgery as a way to manage the retained rectum. Mom has overcome many hurdles to get to where she is now, and is actually doing pretty well all things considered. What's primarily impacting return to her previous active and engaged quality of life is excessive rectum mucous. So far, the mucous is clear and without odor. But, while the stoma mucous discharge has decreased a great deal, the rectum mucous has continued to be an issue most days. Her greatest concern is that mucous will have pooled in her underwear when she gets up from her bed, or that pooled mucous will run down her leg after she has been sitting for some time or while she is out and about. Mom's WOC nurse told her that being active is likely to increase the mucous which has her thinking maybe it is better to not continue with her PT, OT and walking exercises. Also, the urge to have a bowel movement continues to interrupt her sleep several times a night. For example, she will get up to urinate and/or empty her bag and will make herself pass as much mucous from the rectum as she can. She usually feels a pressure and releasing mucous helps to relieve that pressure. She'll go back to bed, but then have an urge about 30 minutes later so she gets up again to use the bathroom. This can happen 2-3 times a night which of course is not a good thing because she needs her sleep. So far, we have not found any kind of incontinence underwear or pad that will absorb or contain the mucous to any degree. We would be most appreciative of product ideas or helpful tips to help manage this unanticipated and limiting side effect of her life-saving ostomy surgery. Thanks so much! Sharon

[Diane C]

Apologies, Sharon, I just saw your post but have no time now to reply in detail. At the top right of this discussion board, you can do a search and find many discussions about dealing with rectal mucous. Insert that term or diversion colitis or lavage or others to find previous comments and suggestions. Here is one: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26890&p=226433&hili ... us#p226433 I hope this will help for now and am sure someone will pipe up soon.

I relied on CVS disposable underwear with sanitary pads. It's not a total solution but did help me. I found that "Always" sanitary pads work the best for me.

Wishing you luck. It can be a difficult situation but there are various ways to manage it, especially by washing out the rectum and there are ways to do that. The most extreme solution is removing the rectum and anus which I did but I was having other major surgery at the time. That has solved my problem but it takes much deliberation and the surgery isn't the easiest. Definitely speak to the surgeon about all this.

[lenacare]

Diane,
Thank you for your response, and referral to previous posts you have made on the topic. I was able to get some ideas which I will discuss with my mother and her doctor at an appointment next month. Thank you for all the sharing of information you have done to this discussion board. I'm sure you have been a great help to many others. Best wishes, Sharon

[Diane C]

You are more than welcome, Sharon.

I hope the situation has improved. Let us know!