Hi guys,
Just a question for you. Is it common to have rectal pain after an ileostomy. I have noticed lately that I have pain, especially when passing muscus from my rectum and sometimes it is tinged with blood. I am concerned that I still have Colitis sitting in that area. Will this go away with time? I am almost 2 months healed and find it quite uncomfortable. If it is still sitting there (i have a doctor's appointment soon so I should be able to find out) do you think it will hurt my chances of having a reversal down the road? Or can they just remove the affected part and still put me back together? Is this pain common or does it just go along with the string of complications I have already had to endure?
Earthgirl 
Yes, it is normal to pass blood and mucous from your j-pouch after surgery (remember, you no longer have a rectum). This is a good sign, you have healthy tissue that continues to shed cells!! Be honest with your surgeon about your pain. This should all pass.
Sue
dx proctitis in 1987
dx UC in 1991, was stable until 1998
1998 started prednisone, asacol, pentasa, nortriptylene, ativan, 6MP, rowasa enemas and suppositories, hydrocortisone enemas, tried the SCD diet, being a vegetarian, omega 3s, flax, pranic healing, yoga, acupuncture, probiotics
2000 lost all my B-12 stores and became anemic
2001 opted for j-pouch surgery- now living life med-free
If it feels like it did in the old days when you were still bowel intact and needed to go to the loo, then yes, this is completely normal. It's known as phantom rectal syndrome. Just like someone who has lost a limb can still 'feel' it there when it itches, so our bodies have to get used to the fact that we can no longer go to the loo in the 'normal' way anymore.
The bad news is that, in most cases, it seems to take a few years to disappear completely. Chances are you will have the rest of your j pouch surgery before it even begins to settle down for you.
I have had an ileostomy for 30 years now due to UC.
The bad news is that, in most cases, it seems to take a few years to disappear completely. Chances are you will have the rest of your j pouch surgery before it even begins to settle down for you.
I have had an ileostomy for 30 years now due to UC.
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I'm not a complete idiot - some parts of me are missing!