I know this topic has been covered numerous times but I think my case is a little different maybe. Well good news I'm home from the hospital with my leg bag and gravity drain. I had to take a flight from Cleveland which required me to wait in an airport pretty much most of the day, anyways for some reason my leg bag does not drain my pouch as well as my gravity drain. So when I finally got home I was changing my dressings and noticed a small bit of fecal matter on the dressing from my k-pouch. Is this going to mean my valve will is going to fail later. I hope since I have the cathetar in 24/7 this would be somewhat normal somtimes. Please someone put me at ease.

Hi Mark...yes normal! Because the cath stays in it moves around the valve alot resulting in some fecal matter pushing it's way out along with the mucous. You'll have a large amount of mucous output during the constant cath as well because the stoma is aggravated, all normal.

You may find this as well during irrigation as you are pushing water through while the cath is in and it may seep a little fecal matter.

You'll find the gravity drain does move the poo much better so good to stay with that when at home.

After the cath is removed and you empty normal you may see some fecal matter on your pad. Because, as you pull the cath out...whatever fecal matter is at the end of the cath will slide alongside and come out later in the mucous. This is all normal. I pat my stoma alot to move this leftover poo out before I put my pad on. But, I've had even pieces of food come out long after.

Keep asking questions!!! Glad you're home!

Perfect answer Janice...the wait in the airport meant that you were sitting uncomfortably for quite a long time, possibly kinking the tube at times which causes buildup in the pouch...which in turn can seep out around the tube..;I get 'blow back' when I am irrigating some days when my pouch is just too full and the added water is just too much..a sort of rushed overflow!
Fear not..;it is all normal for now...lay back..relax and enjoy the freedom from incontinence!
sharon