UOAA Discussion Board

I have had an end colostomy almost 8 months. Today I felt an urge to defecate and experienced an unexpected bowel movement. It was fairly substantial, well-formed pieces, and not mucus-y. Since the rectal stump is closed, I can't understand where solids would come from. The stool is yellowish-brown and doesn't seem to have a strong odor.
I'll contact my CR surgeon on Monday but wondered if this is something that others have experienced.

If you'll do a search of discussion topics, you'll find multiple threads with more information about this situation. Basically what is going on, from my understanding, not my experience as my original plumbing was removed due to cancer, is that the rectal stump, while cut off from the remainder of your colon, still produces mucous to aid with defecation. But, since it doesn't get used for that anymore, it collects in the rectum until if forms, as you described, until it is large enough to be "removed". Again, my advice here is limited as I haven't had this experience. But if you'll browse the other threads, you'll get a lot of good information about how to deal with it in the future. No need to worry, I'm pretty sure this will be part of your new normal and isn't any kind of emergency.
Hope that helps some.

David

Almost sounds like phantom limb feelings. Every now and then I still get the feeling but, then realize it has a ways to go back up to the stoma.

I have an ileo also.
And get phantom urges.
Occasionally.
It's weird.
R.