Mucus

Hi Gunners63

I'm sorry to read about the problem that your husband is experiencing. I can't answer your question but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the page where it'll be more easily seen.

You might also like to post this in the bowel cancer group which is far more active than this one and I'm sure someone there will have had the same problem as your husband. If you'd like to do this clicking on my link will take you straight there.

While you're waiting for replies it would be great if you could pop something about your husband's diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

x

Hi Gunners63. I’ve just seen this post a bit further down and wondered if your hubby is on any antibiotics? 
https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ileostomy-and-colostomy-discussions-forum/f/ileostomy_and_colostomy_discussions-forum/221494/mucas-again

It may be that the excessive mucus is a side effect as suggested by JohnnyJ ? 

"suffer from mucus"    The inactive bowel will continue to make mucus but you won't necessarily suffer from it.

I passed mucus in the few weeks after the original operation too but it settled after a while.  It also seemed to build up when I was on chemotherapy(Capcitabine, in my case).

Over the years, I've had occasions when I've suffered a little discomfort but passing mucus and wind relieves this.

Mostly, it hasn't been a real issue. However, as I mentioned in a recent post, it was quite distressing and worrying in February when I was passing excess amounts. My bowel was also inflamed and it had developed proctitis. Luckily, I was due a colonoscopy and this confirmed that there wasn't anything too serious such as the return of the tumour.

Anyway, things have settled now and, as Karen says, I'm convinced that this was caused by antibiotics(I had three different courses for an ear infection).

As far as your husband is concerned, Gunners63, I wouldn't worry unduly just yet. Passing mucus after the operation is not unusual and things should hopefully settle down.  Under normal circumstances, it will build up from time to time but, mostly, shouldn't cause major problems unless something else is influencing the proceedings.

Hi Karen. Not on antibiotics now, but was a few months ago. I did know about the mucus side of it, he didn't as again burns his head in the sand. I just don't think he would suffer all through the day. Sometimes nothing comes out, but he still feels the need to go. Hope you are staying well. Xx

Thank you for your reply Johnnyj. 

He is not on antibiotics  and unfortunately he couldn't have chemo as he has heart failure. I say unfortunately as I would of felt happier if he could of had it, as myself I am worried it will come back, although they said they got it all, it is not 100% sure they have. I know about the mucus side of things  but he didn't because he burys his head in the sand, I just didn't think it would go on throughout the day.

Hi Gunners,

Hopefully that should pass after a while. It's still quite early days yet.   

You've probably also heard about the phenomenon called "The Phantom Rectom"  which is feeling the urge to go when nothing is coming out.  Sitting on the toilet for a few moments also helps in such a situation.

Usually, the bowel does start to produce less mucus over time although it always will. So symptons will subside.

However, as i mentioned in the other post, certain things may aggravate the situation. In my case, it was worse during my chemo treatment and, more recently, after I'd been on anti biotics. The surgeon who performed my colonoscopy wouldn't confirm they were the cause but stated that this was quite possible.

I hope all goes well for both of you in the future.

Chemotherapy isn't strictly necessary after this type of operation. It's really just a "belt and braces" thing and does improve the chances of preventing recurrence to an extent but it's a matter of percentages.

A lot will depend at what stage the cancer was and whether or not the nearby lymph nodes were affected. In my case, it was only one lymph node but that was enough for them to advise me to take the course. In the early days, they thought my liver might have been affected too. This wasn't the case but they didn't know that until I had another operation!

All the best for now.

Mucous is quite normal, your large intestine produces it to help the faeces to move down to the rectum. If it is painful producing mucous take pain killers.

If he is worried about not controlling it's release due to rectal surgery wear pant liners.

As a female having had children and periods the mucous was a very minor issue compared with the stoma, chemo and post op pain.

If and when his stoma is reversed he will need the mucous for normal bowel function and it shows his large intestine is working. Take care x

I have had a similar experience.  If your husband has/had a tumour, is it still in situ?  My stoma nurse told me that my tumour is producing the mucus.