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I'd be careful with regular use of cornstarch in areas that remain damp. From the NIH:
quote:
Cornstarch can help prevent itching of dry skin [...] but should not be used where skin is moist. When cornstarch becomes moist, fungus may grow. Avoid using it on areas close to mucous membranes, such as the vagina or rectum, in skin folds, and on areas that have hair or sweat glands.
Even though your post was back in May, I would be glad to pass along some information my husband learned. First of all, he had his colonectomy and J-pouch in June 2009 and the take down in Dec 2009. He too had constant diarhea. He tried many types of anti-diarhea prescription meds. Finally, when none of them worked his Dr. prescribed Tincture of Opium. It worked. He takes 1/4 teaspoon 3-4 times a day as needed. His main problem now is the painful gas with most of what he eats, when he eats. He has found eating cream of wheat soothes his system. Also, about the burning, throbbing skin. He was amazed how well using a spray bottle with toilet tissue to wash the skin prevented the burn. Since the waste is coming directly from the small intestines it is still very acidy. Washing it off eliminates the burning. Ihope this is helpful. Smiler
Hi Rendi,

I was discharged from the rehab today but before that i asked my doctor in the morning to give me a prescription of that opium tincture. She would not give me . She said it is a narcotic and i do not need it! Thay are giving me narcotic for pain, i do not know why she disagree with me.
Thank you. I am going to a dollar stor to get a spray bottle now.
God bless you.
She said that it is habit forming . Also, she said it is for jpouch patients , I was laughing I said I am. She said that I am not a good candidate for that! She was my attending physician at the Rehab Center where I am at.I guess that she forgot my records... Thank you Rendi.
The other day I had only 3-4 bowel movements. I realized that If I eat less less bathroom trips and no pain. The Canasa helps me a lot although when my surgeon look inside yesterday she said that it is a little bit inflamed and she told me to stop the Canasa after I finished what I have. Aquaphor helps me too and dabs of hot water on the rectal area after everything else is done , really soothes the pain.
Pain is always there but it is lesser now.
Besides I have to eat! I can not give up food just to save trips to the bathroom. I need nutrition after all those surgeries....
Today I had cereals frosted cereals with milk of 2% fat I was surprised I did not have diarrhea. Usually( after my surgery) milk gives me watery stools.
I am trying to experiment holding, it so my body will get used to using the bathroom at least once or twice a day.That would be awesome!!!

Thank you Rendi and everyone else for all your advises it really helps me getting adjusted through this new jpouch I have.
May God bless you all.
I bought my bidet from home depot and installed it the same day. Should have done it first day after take down. I am five months after takedown and still use A&D ointment after each movement. If I get but burn, it's sitz baths, and nupercainal. If I get really sore, I use Neosporin cream with pain relief. I put that on,let it dry a minute and then go over it with the A&D. I am a red head with super sensitive skin, and have many allergies. I need to use wipes when I am at work or away from home and even the cottonell sensitive irritate my skin after a few days use. Believe it or not, the equate flushable wipes from Walmart are the only ones that don't irritate my skin.
Maria,
Sounds like you've made some progress and I do think eating the right foods will help you have less acidy output. My nurse prescribes Colestipol to help with acid but I know bland foods really help. When I want to use bathroom less, I eat cereals, grits, cream of wheat, bananas, applesauce, eggs, toast and peanut butter. It also helps to not have huge gaps between eating. Also, I must remember all my meds and Metamucil! I never expect to get down to 2 BMs a day- would be happy to have 10-15 even, if #1 -I could reduce the high number I have from 10 PM til 6 AM, #2 as long as I can always control output without leakage, #3 if can keep acidity of output under control and #4 my daytime BMs can be controlled/spaced apart to allow me to work, travel, shop, etc.
Anyway- I know many of us here are still working to get to that quality of life but I am optimistic that we will! I also accept that I will have setbacks, often as result of what I eat or don't eat. Thanks to all experienced pouchers for sharing!!
Hi Maria:
The probiotics help to maintain the balance of good and bad bacteria in your digestive system. Some foods are good sources of probiotics but I find that many of them are foods that increase my frequency, etc.
The Digestive Enzymes help to break down food substances for easier digestion. They can both be purchased at your local pharmacy counter without prescription.

The Psyllium Husks is a source of soluble fibre. It is the natural form of the ingredient that is found in Metamucil but without all the sugar and other additives. I get mine in the health food section of my local supermarket. It is much healthier and cheaper than Metamucil. It helps to reduce liquid stools by thickening and bulking the output. Caution: Like Metamucil, Psyllium is also used as a laxative so be careful when taking it. It looks [and tastes] like sawdust. It is not very water soluble so doesn't dissolve in water or juice very well. I mix a teaspoon with applesauce, liquid honey or jam and take shortly after my means. You could also mix it with yogurt. Don't drink a lot of fluid for about an hour after taking it because it could have the opposite effect. The Psyllium was recommended to me by an emergency room physician when I was being treated for the 3rd time for dehydration and Magnesium depletion following my J-pouch surgery. My then temporary ileostomy had very high output and the Psyllium helped to keep it under better control.

These things are working very well for me but I also have to watch my diet carefully. I have started to add things back into my diet and am finding things that I have to continue to avoid. Leafy greens (raw) are still an issue although I am ok with cooked ones. Brown bread made with molasses - which I love - is a major source of gas for me.

Overall, my anal irritation is under control as long as I stick to the regime. A few weeks ago, I stopped taking my Imodium and Psyllium because I didn't pass any stool for over 36 hours and I was afraid of a backup. Big mistake and I paid the price with the dreaded BB for 3 days which felt more like 3 months.

I also purchase a $15 portable bidet that I carry in my purse and it was the best $15 I ever spent.

Hope all this helps. Good luck.
Surprisingly, no it doesn't. I use about 2 cups of Epsom Salts in 2" of water in tub. I buy the salts at my local garden center in 20 pound bags. They don't call it Epsom Salts but it is the same thing and a lot less expensive.

For your bidet, use a 1 tsp. salt per 1 cup water (as warm as you can stand it). It will not give you instant relief but it will promote faster healing.

Are you taking anything to reduce the frequency and thicken things up?
HI,
First of all you guys helped me a lot and I guess that I got more tips of getting better than my other doctor LOl.
Recently, I am confused with eating. If I had a little banana , my bowel movement changes. I have to sit in the bathroom for at least 20-25 minutes or more, because the gap of it coming out is longer. It seems like I am constipated though am not, it is hard stool.My legs and thighs gets num and painful for sitting so long there!
To get a relief, I tried sipping apple juice or milk even lactaid, it makes it watery and it seems better but the same thing I have to sit there for a while , it's like it does not want to stop coming out! I have brought lots of reading materials in my bathroom to keep me busy and take away my mind out of this numbness and painful feelings.
It started yesterday, I had anal irritation and I do not know what causes it .If anyone can tell me the cause you would be it will be such a relief. I tried applying cream for fungus and apply aquaphor after, it works a little bit.
Anotherb problem is that since my rectum or is sore I have a hard time to position myself when I sit, it hurts!!! Even going in and out of the car it is hard to get a good positioning..
I go to church every morning before my surgery , I tried to do it again, I do not eat before I go to avoid using the bathroom in the middle of the service.It works although I have spasms at times.I am not working yet with this condition I am trying to find a job that will fit this new lifestyle. My job before is close contacts with my clients and I am on my feet the whole day...
Another problem of sitting in the bathroom for long is that my legs and thighs were feeling numb and sometimes I have pain on my thighs that I just have to get out though I am not yet done moving my bowel. It is so hard to balance everything and I am hoping that you could give me an answers to my issues.
I am on my 2nd month of my reversal on the 24th of this month. I had improved a lot better from day one.I still take Lomotil 2x a day and slowly I am trying to lessen it to once a day. Right now, I can only have asparagus tips,carrots and green beans as my vegetables and a pinch of bananas once in awhile. I eat crackers more cause I feel safer with that. I eat meat ,fish,scrambled eggs,tofu, chicken as my protein. I tried to eat cantaloupe it made me run to the bathroom a lot! I miss my salad and other vegetables.I eat more vegetables that meat but recently, I can't do that! Do you eat your vegetables now? Can you give me tips of which vegetables works for you?
What about apple sauce do you get loose bowel with it?
Do you go to work on a regular basis now after your surgeries?
Please help me, I need help!
Thank you.
Kathy, I am currently flagyl will be finished with it on Sunday. I have about 6-10 BM's a day. I was taking immodium 2 tablets 3x a day but stopped because I felt constipated with the flagyl. I am getting a scope on thursday to see what is going on. I do eat foods to help thicken but I still get BB and irritation. It is so miserable I can't sleep, and it difficult when I sit or stand. Seems nothing is bringing me relief and I'm scared about the scope because I have to do an enema before hand and I'm soooo sore in the rectal area. UGHH!
Oh my dear. I (as well as just about everyone else here) know exactly what you are experiencing. I wish I had the magic answer for you. I experience the dreaded BB on a [pretty much] daily basis. I do very well during the day with limited, infrequent BM's but then starting around 6 pm, I start with frequent, burning soft BM'S that results in BB for most of the night. I don't usually get to sleep until around 3 am and then awake again at 7 am when everything is fine again. I am still having 10-15 BM's/day.

Once in a while I get some really bad BB that troubles me for 1-3 days. I can't seem to relate my changes to food but I am still avoiding all the foods that can cause anal irritation. I am just shy of 3 months post take down and I am still hopeful for some major improvement over the next 3 months.

Meanwhile, I take a sitz bath with Epsom Salts at least daily at bedtime (more often for BB that last more than 1 day); I use my portable bidet every time I use the bathroom even if I am just urinating; I gently pat dry and apply liberal amounts of plain vaseline. I use the vaseline because it is safe to put inside the muscle as well as the outside. I wear a Poise pad because the vaseline will stain your undies. I take 4 Imodium 30-60 minutes before meals and I take 1 tbsp of Psyllium Husks or Metamucil with (or following) meals. Other than that, I pray.

All I can say is good luck and if I ever find the magic formula you can be sure it will get posted here and everywhere. Good luck with your scan. Hopefully they can tell you something.

Some say that our bodies will adapt to the higher acid content in the stool. I don't know if that is true but we can hope.
Kathy- thank you for your encouraging insight. Without this sight I don't know what I would do. I do not know (personally) anyone who has a pouch so I often feel alone on this journey. My family listens, offers encouragment, comfort, kindness and love BUT they JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PAIN AND ISSUES we J-poouchers deal with on a daily basis. So thank you everyone for always providing first hand account/knowledge and understanding.
Seems like lots of us in the 3-8 month post take down period still struggling. I will say that I am still having lots(10-18) a day but acid is mostly gone as is butt burn, unless I eat tomatoes , but then it's just for that night. I am on Flagyl, middle of 2 week dose, awaiting insurance approval for pouchoscopy to determine why I'm still having such frequent BMs. In case any of you missed my previous posts I take Colestipol with each meal and at bedtime for acid reduction, not sure if you have anything for that. It helps and I've also been taking Beano with food 2-3, and am thinking it helps too. It's so nice to not have BB, that I don't mind frequency. With Flagyl I've cut nighttime BMs down to 2- set my alarm for every 3.5 hours. Best sleep for me since January! I'm 5 months post take-down. I still use lots Vaseline- no bidet or sitz bath. Hang in there! Wish you all better days- or nights! So glad found this site for pre and post op support! Try to eat really bland diet to reduce acid and not too long between meals. Maybe crackers and metamucil before bed. I swear by peanut butter on good white bread, cream of wheat, grits, pretzels. Goog luck! Laurie
This is a great site. Always someone to offer support and encouragement. being able to talk to someone who understands is always very comforting even though it doesn't help much at 2 am when you can't sleep because of itch and BB. With the number of members having the same issues and the various time zones, there is someone on-line 24-7.

Good luck to all of us.
Thanks Kathy . Yes I can not sleep. It's 1:37 am and I just came out of the bathroom. I had this BB. My rectum is do sire and I am having a hard time using the bathroom. I have to stand up though I sm not done because it was painful and it's bleeding. I was thinking too much sitting there causes me to push and it might be one of the cause of this bleeding and because I am pushing it irritated the tissues. The b problem of leaving the seat if i am not done is that have tty o double the trips but St least it lessen the stress in my butt. Am I right? Please tell me. I do not know what I had eaten all I know is that I skipped the lomotil this last night . The irritation all i am doing is pat the area with tissue soak with hot water hot as much as you can handle it and it really helps a lot to me.
Thank you all and let's just pray to God that He give as wisdom to know the solution to all our issues.
I am in Kansas right n I w and trying to find a support group . I talked to someone before but it seems like I am the only one who has a J pouch !!!
D ones anyone knows any group here?
Hi Maria
Everyone in the group has a J-pouch and we all experience the same problems and issues. I was also up all night last night with a sore bottom and still dealing with it this morning. It will pass eventually - until the next time. We just have to bide out time until our bodies adapt.

We also have to remember that we will never be back to normal as we knew it before we got sick. Things will be forever different. Our body will eventually develop a new normal and that may look very different from one person to the next. The ultimate goal is to have a new normal that gives us a better quality of life than the one living with the disease or with an ileostomy. The down side is that it can take 6-12 months to get to where we are going to be. It is hard to have the patience when it is 3 am and you are in pain. I take Tylenol with Codeine to help ease the pain. Not sure about USA but here in Canada I can buy it without prescription (just need to ask the pharmacist for it).

Beano is an enzyme supplement that is supposed to help break down the gas producing foods to help prevent gas. if you are not eating any of those foods to begin with, they won't do anything. I am not familiar with the Cole thing. Sorry.
Thank you Kathy you are very helpful.Sorry about my e mail my keyboard messes up sometimes that I misspelled some words esp. at night! I am happier at least I know that there is someone out there at in the early morning who sits in the bathroom with the same issues. God bless you.
Praying that someone in our group will be given a wisdom by God to find the best solutions to all our issues. I am sure there will be!
Doctors do it by book but they do not have the actual experience we are having, they are just hearing it from patients or from our community they does not have the jpouch on their own!!! LOl
Maria,
Tomatoes are just plain acidic. Without the skin or seeds they are more tolerated, less fiber, but still acidic, which contributes to burning on way out, and for awhile. Even red sauce is acidic but my nurse recommends bit of sugar to counteract that. I haven't tried that. I'm throwing tomatoes in my diet now since I am no longer having butt burn. If you are still struggling with BB, I would avoid tomatoes altogether, knowing that once BB is under control, then you can try them. I think even once we all get to our "happy place" we will on occasion eat foods we know may effect our system, but will be willing to pay the price shirt term. Again, if I were you, I would eat bland and get it totally under control and then add one veggie or fruit or sauce at once to see if you can tolerate it. You will get past BB, and it feels so good! I am about 5 1/2 months post take down- just FYI and currently on Flagyl due to frequency of movements, especially during nighttime. Waiting for insurance approval for pouchoscopy to see what's going on. My nighttime movements hugely improved-only getting up 2 times! Best sleep I've had since January! Good luck! I know you'll get there- it worth the bland diet!
Maria,
Colestipol is a prescription drug that reduces acid in pouch, and ultimately in your output. Did not help me immediately but since I am no longer having burning, I think it is working. Ask you Dr. about it- I've seen other drugs mentioned that may do same thing.
Beano or GasX reduce gas-and though you're not eating typical gas producing foods like beans, brocolli, and such many grains/ pasta also are gas producing so Beano and GasX will help with that. Need to take 2 with each meal so is pricey, even at Costco. Do ask about Colestipol- maybe that will be your miracle drug. I can't take any codeine or benedryl cause too deep sleep relaxes my bowels- not a good thing!
Maria, thank you for the tip about the Colestipol. That drug is normally used to help reduce Cholesterol levels by helping the body to rid of excess bile, etc.through the stool. The logical part of my brain says that would increase the amount of acid in the stool but it must break it down in some manner. I am definitely going to ask about it the next time I see my specialist - which is not until January.

Yesterday I had my best day yet. I only had 9 BM's altogether with only 2 during the night. All stools were soft formed so therefore did not cause any increased irritation but the best part is that I actually got a total of 7 hours sleep for the first time since my j-pouch surgery in February. Is this the start of my improvement phase? I can only hope. My bottom is still a little sore from the previous day but not nearly as uncomfortable.

All I can say is that I am singing hallelujah this morning.
Check out eBay for Loperamide (Imodium) and Beano. Canadians can get them online for a fraction of the price charged by local pharmacies and department stores - even Cosco. I don't know how the price compares for US residents.

I get 800 tabs of Imodium (generic form) for the same price as 60 tabs here in Canada - including and import taxes and shipping!
Kathy! So glad you're feeling better! A good nights sleep works miracles as does reducing movements. Perhaps you've hit the time your body has adjusted, but also note your intake to see if anything there helped, or at least didn't hinder. Also, if acid returns, perhaps you can contact your Dr.over phone.
Hope you continue to feel well! Good day!
Laurie (Ljz)
My GI had the pharmacy make me a concoction. I have other issues down there too. But having lidocaine in the concoction really helps me. I've tried everything over the counter. Barrier creams etc. The witch hazel wipes do help at times. But sometimes it just doesn't cut it. Thats just my personal experience. Good luck with your bum
Hi ,

I realized there are days that i am 100 % better. Like the other day I feel great as if I did not have any surgery or BB. It was awesome! I went to church early am. and everything was fine. That happened four times. And you were right I have to remember what I had eaten!
Usually,in the morning till 2-3 pm. I am fine but when night time comes I have more trips to the bathroom . Sometimes I have to get up at early like 12 midnight for BB and I can not go back to sleep anymore sits there for long... I already finished 2-4 different topics on the radio.... I bought Daily fiber with 100% physillium I am scarted to use it . Did you ever try it? I am now taking probiotics and multiple vitamins. I do not have hot sitz bath nut I use hot water after I clean the area, pat the swollen area with a tissue wet with hot water it feels good esp. if there is bleeding.
Thank you for your email, God bless you.
Hi Kathy,
I bought the CVS(pharmacy here in the US.) Not sure there is one in Canada,It is called Natural Daily Fiber ,it dissolves in water.I bought it cause you mentioned about Pysillium Husk and this has 100% pysillium husk . I did not use it yet I want to ask you first.
This is a fiber, we have diarrhea or lots of trips in the bathroom ( sometimes I have 4 times day or 8 times). Sometimes I have one trip in the bathroom in the morning and three at night those are my good days!
Do you think that this will increase my bathroom trips cause it is fiber. I need your idea cause I am scared to take it...
I am taking Beano now and it helps cause sometimes I accidentally eat something not thinking that it will give me gas.The other day I had some food that I had used fresh tomato on it I removed the seeds. I was not thinking right I was so excited cause I miss the taste of tomato. I had suffered a lot cause I 've seen that I ate the tomato skin and cabbage little bit ! Same as cereals , I had frosted flakes and I used soy milk it gave me the same problem.. Sometimes I do not want to eat anymore cause of staying in the bathroom for long. The gaps in between was my biggest concern right now. My legs are already numb from sitting there and bleeding occurs.
What about these gaps in between is there anything you can do for that?
I was crying with pain awhile and feel like I want to have the ileostomy back!!!
Please help me.....!
I will be In Toronto in three weeks, it is hard to sit properly when my butt is sore , any advise?
Thank you everyone! Let us pray unceasingly to our God that He will give as the wisdom to find a solution for our to problems regarding the management of our new pouch in our body and lead us on how to adapt this new lifestyle in our everyday life.

God bless you all.
I have had many ,20 plus, BM NOW ON TINCTURE OF MORPHINE I hope it will help. Max on other approaches. Fear addiction but will not give up. 4 months I realize still to soon had scope any many test so they have done everything. TAKE LOPERMIDE,METAMUCIAL,CHOLESTYRAMINE,PROBOTIC. For those who Cry in pain and want bag back I understand. I pray we all improve. Can someone explain what Flagyl is?
Flagyl is an antibiotic prescribed for bacteria infections. Is prescribed for c-diff as well as other conditions. For C diff I have taken stronger drug Vancomycin.
Flagyl common for pouchitis.

Regarding Metamucil vs psyllium husk, though I take a Walgreen's generic that does not have aspartame in it, many recommend the more purer psyllium husk because doesn't have additives. May be better- I've been meaning to get some though I think Metamucil is helping me. I take heaping spoonful mixed in 2 ounces orange juice at meal time and 1 -2 hours before bed. It seems to consolidate the output, reducing # times I go. Try not to drink too much water immediately after or you may have diarrhea. Hoping better days ahead for you.
You are right, the Psyllium husks is in a pure natural form without the additives that Metamucil has which makes it better, however the Metamucil is easier to take because it dissolves in water and has a nicer taste. Both will accomplish the same results.

Neither of these should increase your frequency (providing you do not drink too much liquid immediately following), they will just thicken things up. I find that the thicker stool doesn`t irritate the anus as much as the loose watery stuff. Imodium or Lomotil will slow the action of the bowel which should reduce the frequency.

Hope this helps.

I have been away for the past 5 days and just reading the most recent posts now. I have been in heaven for the past 5 days. My frequency has reduced to 6-7/ and no butt burn. I have not felt this normal since first diagnoses with UC. I hope it is a sign of things to come and not just a temporary tease.

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