Hi everyone,
I had my j-pouch surgery and takedown done in one step, about two weeks ago. I am going through terrible butt burn!! Last night I had to have a bath because I was in so much pain. I have been using barrier creams however I find they don't really help, like they don't last long enough (relief that is). I have been eating foods that I would have had with my ileostomy, could that be a factor in my butt burn??
Also, could anyone offer some suggestions regarding nighttime routines? Like I find that I go to the bathroom more in the evening/night than during the day, which leads to great discomfort!
Thanks for any advice or suggestions!!

Hi Beanie,

I have found dairy products (e.g. milk), nuts (especially peanuts), and spicy/ fried foods to aggravate butt burn for me.

I also tend to go more during the evening because I don't drink a lot of fluids the day, but more in the evening.

When I had serious but burn, I got a prescription for Nefedepine cream, although I don't know if your doc will give it to you. This cream is supposed to reduce spasms of the sphincter. In my case, it helped tremendously. I am also told sitz baths help (although I never tried it)

Also, remember you just has the surgery, so it might take a short while for your body to adjust.

Good luck and let me know how things turn out.

Cheers,

Solomin

Beanie, I am just two months out and desitin and butt paste seemed to just aggrivate it. My dr gave me a perscription for anusol hc 2.5%. It cleared it up in a few days but you shouldn't use it for an extended period of time due to the fact it thins the skin. I also started taking lomotil two before each meal it has worked wonders. The thing I noticed that gave me the worst butt burn is coffee. I still can't give up my one cup a day so i just suffer. Hope all goes well!!

Thanks for the words of advice Solomin and staycee!

Stick to a low residue diet for right now; don't try experimenting with foods until you've done that for a couple of weeks (yes, boring, I know!) and the BB has cleared up. In addition to the barrier creams, try using a squirt bottle and/or wet, flushable (non-scented!) wipes to clean with after using the toilet. Don't wipe; gently dab. Sitz baths are great; add some baking soda to the bathwater if you can. You might need to do this several times a day at first. Once the BB clears up, use a "softer" barrier cream or something like Bag Balm (not Vaseline) to keep anything from sticking there.

Get better,
Gin

its deff your diet..black pepper is in so many foods,.and some will trick you with white pepper(subways tuna sandwhiches)
Here is a list of foods that I cannot have(this does not mean it would bother you or anyone else)
Black pepper or paprika (all hot spices)
Lactose (milk and icecream ,chocholate)
carbination
mushrooms
nuts
skins
party dips
fried foods
shakes
wheat cereals
oatmeal
fruits and veggies not steemed
brown rice
steak
pork
mustard
nutra sweet
spegetti (noodles)
cheese
cookies
and a ton more

Hi Beanie! Glad to hear that your surgery is behind you now...I have to agree that you should be on a low residue diet. I am about 4 1/2 weeks post reversal and I am just now adding foods one day at a time that I am experimenting with. I am happy to say that I had shredded lettuce on my turkey sandwich and it was great!!! I would also suggest eating dinner earlier so that you don't wake up as much in the night. I try to eat my last meal by 7pm and that helps me sleep more at night. I was also experiencing awful butt burn and took 4-5 showers a day for the warm water to hit my bottom. I finally decided to invest in a toto washlet. It's a bidet seat that shoots up warm water to cleanse you. It is the most wonderful thing! I went all out on mine because it was very important for me but there are several different brands/prices. Good luck!!

Hi everyone, I just joined this sight. I had my reversal done on Feb 25th and I have terrible butt burn. Thanks so much for your ideas. I have been lying around the last couple of days in pain. I hope this doesn't last for 4 weeks, I can't imagine going through this for that long. Stacee,is lomotil two a prescription drug for diahrea??? Stew

Stew,Stacee meant she takes TWO Lomotil tabs before meals. Yes they are prescription,but as they are quite cheap and widely used/considered safe you shouldn't have too much trouble getting your doctor to prescribe them. I only just started to take one at night.
I also take Loperamide (immodium) which you can buy over the counter. I only take 1 before each meal,about 30 mins to an hour before eating usually.

This is my standard list that I give to all folks going thru takedown. This is all the things that you would want at 2am...Many new pouchers have been saved by this list......
OK, my brain is completely emptied now. I'm going to put this whole thing into word so that next time I have dug around in my head and tried to remember all the things I wish I had, or did have, close by after the surgery and being home.
FIRST AND FOREMOST!
Butt burn remedies!
1) Ilex, Ilex, Ilex!
2) Nupercainal, Nupercainal, Nupercainal Nupercainal!
Ok...That's out of the way(I will briefly tell you about this stuff listed after I write them all down...
3)Fiber Choice or some other type fiber product
4) Neutrogena Bath oil
5) Imodium
6) Prescription or actual drug on hand> Lomotil
7) Crib pad protector
8) One or two old towels
9) Squirt bottle
10)prescription or actual medication of>Nystatin cream<
11)Charmin toilet paper> NO rough stuff!<
12) Probiotics!
13) Maalox(I'm serious!)
These are the explanations of the list of stuff above...
1) Ilex is a great barrier cream to ward off butt burn. Some people don't like it because it's a little bit sticky and it can paste your cheeks together
Using the Nupercainal at the same time keeps that from happening(or any oil/ petroleum based cream will)You can order this stuff thru your pharmacy, it costs about 10$.
2) Nupercainal is best numbing and soothing cream I have ever used. Other folks on the site also swears by it.
3) Fiber Choice. I like this brand simply because all you have to do is eat it. The flavor (orange) is really good, even my eight year old likes them. Of course you can use anything you want, what ever works for you.
4)Nuetrogena bath oil, I like this brand because it doesn't leave you slicker than snail slime. It's great to use while soaking during butt burn nights and days. As you know actual water dries the skin out and the bath oil helps sooth the butt as well (sorry so graphic).
5) Imodium helps cut back on the # of stools and thickness as well.
6) If the Imodium doesn't work then try the Lomotil. They both act differently in the digestive system. But, who really cares when it's two in the morning and you have taken a 1/2 dozen sitz baths
Julie

Hi Stew,
My suggestion for butt burn is a otc product called Calmoseptine Ointment (sold in a tube or a jar). It is very soothing..has menthol which really eases the butt burn. Also I use balmex daily to prevent red & burning butt occurences. Hope this helps. Good luck!!
Arlene

Great suggestions already offered here. My only addition is to make sure you are completely dry down there after you bathe. Using a hair dryer and following up with a good barrier cream can help.

Each person is different, so I encourage you to learn about your diet, timing, meds, etc. through trial-and-error and journaling.

Best wishes!

Have you tried Ilex (aka butt cement)? It always tames the beast for me. Calmoseptine feels better out of the gate, but it's not long lasting or as good a healer.

Julie, thanks so much for your list. Today is a little bit better but I have a horrible amount of gas that is really irritating making me sit on the toilet more often, and you know what that means more burn. I'm using Butt Paste but need something else stronger. I will check out Nupercainal and see if my doctor will prescribe limotal. How long have you had the pouch? Stew

Gas is a truly irratating thing!! In so many different ways!
Get the Nupercainal and ask the pharmacy to order the Ilex for you. The combination of the two has been my butt saver.
I have had my pouch for 8 yrs now(annv date was Jan 23rd) and I still use this list when needed.
Julie