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Hi guys,

I'm starting to feel so guilty for asking a million questions, sorry, but you're my only trustworthy source of accurate information and I really value your input. It's been six months now, but I'm still learning I guess, I just have yet another quick question. I've noticed I've had a really high volume of mucus recently, mixed with blood and sometimes a bit of stool (caused, I think, by my wacky valve). It's just weird, some days I have almost no output from my stoma (not talking about pouch output, just stoma). I always keep my stoma safely covered in gauze and wide tape to avoid things leaking through to my clothes, but would you say it's normal to have bleeding and high mucus output at least a few days each week? At this point I'm not sure what is considered normal, and what things I should really worry about.

The mornings, as I've said before, are usually the worst for leakage, and intubating. Seems when I have a hard time getting the catheter in, naturally, I will bleed quite a bit, at times, I'll have 6 inches of my catheter filled with almost pure blood before the stool flows, and more blood when I remove the catheter. Some days, the bleeding will continue all day, others, not at all, but as of late, it's been more then less. Do you experience this much bleeding and mucus output? I'm not really panicking about it just yet, but it is definitely concerning. Aside from the leaky valve, this is just one more issue. I have been keeping the catheter in all day, but just for cleanliness and comfort sake, I remove it to clean and irrigate once a day (actually, I irrigate several times a day).....any thoughts?

You know, despite all these issues, I'll never regret getting my k pouch. I was sitting on the loo today, just remembering how much pain I was in with my old J pouch rectal bleeding and horrible pouchitis. Sure, leakage and stomal bleeding is a major concern, BUT, it doesn't really hurt, nothing like before. I remember times when my butt was burning so bad I literally had tears in my eyes and it hurt to sit, so I thank the GI gods for eliminating that at least! Every once in a while I have to remind myself it could be worse, and I got the K pouch for a reason. I only pray Dr Cohen can repair my valve without having to touch my stoma, he did such an amazing job of it. Thanks, as always, for listening, you truly are my inspiration, and my strength, happy New Year!!

Eric Roll Eyes
You should leave the catheter in, and not take it out unless the holes get plugged and you can't unplug the catheter with irrigating. You shouldn't take it out to clean it, just leave it in at all times. The irrigating is the only cleaning it needs for now while you wear it constantly for at least 21 days straight.

As far as the mucous, that can depend on what you eat and intubating irritation...some foods cause more mucous or you may have a food sensitivity. Milk causes more mucous for me with my stoma. Some blood can be normal, but it shouldn't keep bleeding. Make sure you don't have any rough edges or rips at the holes of the catheter. Do you use a bullet end catheter...a Marlin 30 Fr., I believe or Mentor 30 Fr.. I have never left in a Medena catheter as it is too stiff and would irritate too much...I use a softer one to leave in like the Marlin or Mentor. (Can't remember the name at the moment...sorry) The mucous lining of the small intestine does bleed easily and be careful so you don't go through the pouch with the catheter. Be gentle inserting and turning the catheter around so you don't cut the valve with one of the holes in the catheter, if it feels stuck, gently move it...or even wait for it to let go in case you are having a spasm in the valve. This may not be what's happening but I thought I would mention it anyway. Sometimes I have a spasm and have to wait for my valve to loosen on it's own to move my catheter. Having the catheter in all the time will cause more mucous on it's own too. More than without the catheter in all the time.

I hope this helps, always feel free to ask questions. That is what we are here for! Hugs Sweetie! Big Grin
J

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