OK, I shouldn't be embarrassed about any of this anymore since So many people have seen my pieces-parts over the last few years!! However, here is one for you all...
Since my take-down in November I not only have terrible BB, but also have a very raw, sensitive, and inflamed vaginal area. This happened to me last year after my first take-down surgery also. I saw my gynecologist at Mayo last year during this time and he said my "flora" was messed up, probably from the surgeries. Has anyone else experienced this? I have tried numerous cremes and wipes and nothing seems to alleviate the itching and swelling. There is no discharge so I know it is not a yeast infection and have had that checked several times as well. I am going tomorrow to buy a yogurt machine and am going to start eating yogurt daily, even though I am already taking acidopholis pills....
HHMMMMMM.....Any ideas for me? Thanks!

Even if you don't have any discharge it can still be a yeast infection and that can cause as much pain and irritation as any other type of infection. Have you tried Diflucan? It's in single pill form and works really well, though sometimes it will take more than just the one dose if the fungal infection is really bad.

Probiotics is a great idea but maybe you should look for a brand that has more than just Acidopholis in it. There are lots of inexpensive multi probiotics out there. I take a relatively cheap one and eat a lot of plain live yoghurt. I haven't had a yeast infection in years as long as I keep up with my probiotics.

Another thing you could try is the powdered anti-fungal that we ostomists use for yeast infections around the stoma. Keeping the area really dry and wearing loose fitting cotton panties might help as wearing tight synthetic clothes next to that delicate area can also contribute to the problem.

Hope you get some relief soon as I know how that particular "itch" can drive you to dementia!

Good luck and take care.

Shell

Hi There,

I am so sorry to hear that with everything else you've got the DISCOMFORT of irritated vaginal tissue. I am woman who since puberty has fought with an imbalance of Ph in the vagina and this often results in many years of yeasty situations and burning discomfort. Anywho, after years of doctors, over the counter and prescribed medicines and NO relief, I started trying natural remedies and I finally found one that work for me and helps me with maintenance, but the most important thing was the introduction of a new concept, ointment as a barrier.

Just like you use a barrier cream for your butt burn, you can use OINTMENT to create a barrier to protect the very tender external vaginal tissue. The idea here is that you use an OINTMENT, not cream, the ointment creates a vaseline like barrier that keeps any irritating fluids off that tender skin (and if your doctors are saying it isn't coming from yeast infection then it could be as simply as fluid from butt burn). My saving grace is Cortaid Ointment, it has some anti itch components but for me when I am irritated it is taking a bath/shower, then generously applying the ointment throughout the day/night when my fluids are off and irritating my skin. The goal is to keep whatever irritating fluid is burning you off the vaginal tissue at all times.

Of course, if your issue is yeast then you'll need to find a rememdy that works for you with that, but until you isolate the problem and find the cure of what is creating that external burning, try using this and see if gives you relief.

To figure out my vaginal ph problems, I turned to Dr. Tori Hudson who is my idol. If you haven't checked her out yet, please go to google and search for her. She offers lots of options for dealing with female health. It was from her I learned the ointment trick, thankfully! If you need any further info feel free to contact me.

Good luck,
Megan

I don't have any answers for you - just wanted to let you know that you are not alone with this problem.
I am wondering if it has anything to do with our messy BMs and it getting in there ??? I don't know - wish I did.

It is probably candida/yeast. I have tested negative before too... even though I was itching and could literally smell the yeast - gross but oh well.
I would actually cut back on the yogurt. For some odd reason, which I haven't been able to figure out yet, my mom was having horrible yeast infections. She kept wondering if it was because she was eating too much yogurt (or something else) so I told her to stop eating it and see what happened. She hasn't had one since.

The biggest problem with the yogurt is 99.9% of people who buy yogurt are buying sweetened yogurt (with HFCS) or yogurt that messes with your body's natural sugar levels (with artificial sweetener, which "tricks" the body into thinking it's had sugar and can cause a boomerang effect on the blood sugar). Eat plain yogurt or don't eat it at all is my motto.

Now I'm REALLY confused! I thought I was SUPPOSED to eat yogurt?!?!?!?!
I've been eating the good stuff...Stonyfield...does that have too much sugar?

I don't eat dairy with my j pouch. We are all different though.
I would take Shells advice.

Hey Seed...I'm going through the exact same thing right now. When my doc examined me she said, "yep...you have a yeast infection". Then the test came back negative! I'm on long term antibiotics, so I don't see an end in site. I'm having surgery Friday to remove a cyst near the Bartholin gland, (but it's not a Bartholin cyst...confusing I know.) That has been draining like crazy, so hopefully the itching and redness might get better after this procedure. Good luck..

Eating yoghurt will help from the inside but you can also use it as a douche. It's very soothing to the area but can be messy so best to insert it just before you go to bed and wear some old panties and a panty liner or pad.

Take care

Shell