My son is a new j-poucher 4th March 2008, he has a very a painful peri-anal region. Seeking advise on the best protection/healing products available. Will he always suffer from what he calls a zinger ringer?

Calmoseptine works well for raw skin (an advert for it is on the top left). It has menthol which gives a nice cooling feeling as it heals.

You also might try an ant-acid to lower the acidity level in your son's stomach.

Anyway, don't worry. Butt burn usually gets better over time. Maybe it's because the skin gets tougher, or the stool thicker and less less bilious, or because you go less often--I don't know. But it gets better. I'm using half the ointment i needed a few weeks ago.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Paper Trained,

There are a lot of posts on this site on butt burn, but that might not come through even if you use the "find" feature. One great post is by julie1 in
http://j-pouch.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9151071921/m/7051068472/p/2

In addition to Calmoseptine, there's iLEX, ostomy paste, zinc oxide (Desitin, Balmex), Metamucil (to absorb enzymes), and more.

I doubt antacids would help, since stool is normally already alkaline (lye and enzymes burn, too).

Zinger ringer indeed! A much better description than butt burn.

I still have problems after 2 years, but I was radiated in that area and my skin is extremely fragile as a result. For most people, things get better after a few months, and then they only get butt burn if they eat something that affects them (commonly tomato-based sauces, very spicy foods, too much sugar, artificial sweeteners that are sugar alcohols, red wine).

If you look at the top of this page, 2nd line, there are dietary guidelines which are good to follow in the first few months. Over time your son's diet should not be so restrictive.

You may want to ask the surgeon if it's okay to start taking metamucil. We don't have the wafers in Australia, but the powder is okay. Better still, you can make the biscuits yourself. They're great as a snack. See this link for the recipe:

http://j-pouch.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9151071921/m/9811065572

Is your son taking probiotics? He could start with the powdered stuff (e.g. Inner Health Plus). Just try a bit at first, gradually increasing the dosage over the next few days.

By the way, you can get Calmoseptine for free from your ostomy association (if they still accept your order). Just explain to them that this is an emergency and you can't find it at the chemist.

Actually Bobolink antacids really do work. It may sound crazy but it does. You can even take a liquid antacid and put some on your behind and it will help the burn too. It doesn't last all night but if you are in a tight situation and need quick relief it can help...
I didn't believe it would work either until I tried it...
Julie

Thanks once again Nikki, i have been able to buy calmoseption easily, but having trouble with Ilex, but I shall contact RCH as you have previously advised.

With the probiotics Mitch has been taking inner health 1 capsule per day, should I increase this? He has been through so much in the last 6 months, he was only diagonsed with UC in July and was at end stage disease within 5 weeks. I would like to prevent pouchitis (if possible).

Juli

Julie1,

Which antacid worked for you? Maybe some of them can
neutralize either acids or bases. Thanks!

Some reading on antacids led me to this gem on baking soda:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate

From the info below, baking soda should be able to neutralize BOTH acids and bases
(including alkaline stool), it is used to relieve itching, AND it can put out
a fire! Sounds like a great remedy for butt burn!

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"Cooking
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# It can be used when preparing tomato sauce to neutralize the tomato's acidity.
# It is added to water used to soak beans; this is said to prevent flatulence.
# It is added to water and used to soak marrowfat peas to produce mushy peas.
# It is effective in extinguishing grease fires which may occur when deep frying.
# Soaking insects in baking soda for three to five hours (French style is to soak for eight to nine hours) prior to cooking produces a sweeter, more mushroom-like taste in the finished cuisine.
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For neutralization of acids and bases

Many laboratories keep a bottle of sodium bicarbonate powder within easy reach, because of sodium bicarbonate amphotericity: it reacts with acids and bases. For example, with sulfuric acid:

2 NaHCO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2 H2O + 2 CO2

With sodium hydroxide:

NaHCO3 + NaOH → Na2CO3 + H2O

Furthermore, as it is relatively innocuous in most situations there is no harm in using excess sodium bicarbonate. Lastly, sodium bicarbonate may be used to smother a small fire."
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Medical uses

* It is used as an antacid to treat acid indigestion and heartburn
* Mixed with water and drunk, it can relieve cystitis.
* Mixed with water in a 10% solution can soften earwax for removal.
* In paramedicine, sodium bicarbonate 7.9% is administered intravenously for cases of acidosis and overdoses of acidic toxic substances, such as tricyclic antidepressants and aspirin.
* Adverse reactions to emergency administration include congestive heart failure, with edema secondary to sodium overload, and the metabolic complication of hyperosmolarity, metabolic acidosis, and hypernatremia.
* Aids in itch relief from poison ivy rashes.
* To help relieve itching due to bacterial infections
* Added to a bath or made into a paste it can be used to relieve the itching caused by chicken pox or sun burns."

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bobolink713,

Juli, I take 1 capsule per day of Inner Health Plus (dairy free). I've never had pouchitis. Unless your son is taking the children's capsules, I don't think he needs to increase the dosage.

Bobolink, I'm a big fan of baking soda. It really helps.

Nikki,

Do you drink it, mix with water and rinse with it, take a bath in it, add to tomato sauce, or just soak your insects in it? Thanks!

"Soaking insects in baking soda for three to five hours (French style is to soak for eight to nine hours) prior to cooking produces a sweeter, more mushroom-like taste in the finished cuisine."

What insects does one cook that taste like mushrooms? Am I missing something? What is insect cuisine? Is one soaking live insects or dead? Where does one purchase insects? My mind is reeling.....

kathy

Here are some recipes:

http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/pdf/cicada%20recipes.PDF

We just had our 17-year cicadas last year, unfortunately.

While I love mushrooms I think I could very easily avoid mushroom flavored insects! ANd I really do like to try new foods but that one I can't get pass the mental aspects to it....

As far as antacids the ones that I have used both topside and bottomside is Maloxx. I have also used Gaviscon orally, it's the most vile tasting stuff but works really well. I haven't looked up the main acting ingredient but those stick out.

I beleive Nicky was having a hard time getting Ilex mailed down-under. I would suggest you talk to your pharmasist and ask him to order it for you. BTW all the things losted on my J-Pouch buttburn post is available over the counter except Lomotil.....
I have not tried oral tablet type antacids in a long time but my past experience with them is that they don't work well unless one has taken excessive amounts.

O ya, one more thing.....Tablet type antacids don't work! Especially if you are trying to cut the acidity at the buttburn site!!!

Good luck and write back!
Julie

Juli, there's an amazing lady here called Connie, whose teenage son has a j-pouch. She is extremely knowledgeable and can help you with issues that are specific to younger j-pouchers.

You may want to send her a personal message. Here is one of her recent posts:

http://j-pouch.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5951071921/m/5021...871072672#2871072672

Just click on her name, then press 'invite ...'

How are things going with the Calmoseptine? It's good to apply just before going to the loo - takes some of the pain away - and then re-apply afterwards. Also, although it is extremely hard to do this in the first few weeks (because of gas, urgency, inflammation etc.), your son should try holding on for as long as he can bear. This will reduce the bathroom trips (therefore giving the skin a chance to heal), and will help stretch the pouch so that it can eventually hold much more content.

Also, please make sure he's drinking plenty of water right now (and staying away from sugary drinks). The weather is way too hot for people without colons. And salty foods and bananas are good in this weather.

A big thank you to everyone for your advise espesially you Nikki2. Mitch says that he is using calmoseptine after he has been to the loo so i have told him to use it before hand as well. Although he is still walking around like a cowboy. lol. Thanks for the contact, i will certainly be in touch.

Juli