I hoping that somone out there has/had a similar problem. I'm at a point of not knowing what to do next.

I'm one year post j-pouch surgery (10/19/2006) and still dealing with occasional, small amounts of leakage. I've also had an originally large skin tag, now 2/3 smaller, that has effected my leakage since the beginning. If I don't take care of the leakage quickly, within minutes. The "butt burn" is quickly off the charts and I can't do much because of the level of burning. Nothing, short of pain medication stops the pain.

At the Dr.'s appointment today, I raised the issues of removing the sking tag to hopefully further eliminate the leakage. My Doctor stated that the removal of the tag is too much of a risk (not to heal) and would not perform the procedure and sent me to another Boston hospital and G.I. surgeon to get a second opinion about removal of the skin tag.

Does anyone have any experience with skin tags and how you have you dealt with it?

I'm extremely undecided! My G.I. Doctor that I very much trust, is against the procedure. Obviuosly, he thinks the risks outweight the potential reward?

Please Help!

Thanks, Tony

DX: 8/6/2006
Step1: 10/19/2006
Step2: 1/19/2007

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tony DeLorenzo,

Hi Tony,

I wish I didn't understand you, but I DO. I am 3 weeks post j-pouch and it is my skin tags from UC days that are really making the process difficult of adjusting.

I asked my surgeon about removal, and like your doctors, he DID NOT think it was a good idea to remove them. He said that they cause more problems than it will cure. Since like you I respect my surgeon I went along with his advice to not have the tags removed. The only problem is that they are often unbearable.

The best relief I have found right now after trying many creams, etc...is to clean with Tucks pads, and use Tucks Cream. That seems to be the only option working for me now. I don't have the leakage like you do, so I can't even imagine how awful that must be.

I guess I don't have any advice, other than I received the same doctor advice as you did.

Mark

I, too, have a rather large anal skin tag. It doesn't bring about any leakage and I just make sure the area is thoroughly clean. It doesn't bother me.

I have a similar skin tag issue and have been repeatedly told that it isn't worth taking off. It causes lots of irritation and itching. The leakage issue is interesting though. I have that problem, no i'm wondering if they are related.
I use warm water to clean everything. helps with the itching.

All Dr's are different.
My surgeon took my skin tags off right in the office during my annual sigmoidoscopy, no big deal, a bit uncomfortable, no sedation and he and his wife took me toi dinner that night!I drive to Atlanta to see him!It's 10 hrs but worth the wear and tear, i visit a friend and stay with her and we shop.
There is hope and good days to come for you newbies, trust me, after 20 years i know what i am saying.
Good days and bad, but mostly good if i watch what i eat.

I also had a large skin tag. At first after take down, it didn't bother me much. Then it enlarged, became very painful and I started developing fissures, 4 in all. I don't know if the fissures were related to the skin tag, but my doc removed it. Things are beginning to improve!
I don't know if this helps or not?!
Cheryl

Hello Mark & Megan,

First, Thanks for the reply. However, I do have a couple of questions. I understand that you have skin tags and you said that often they are unbearable. I don't understand that.

I know that my skin tag burns because of the leakage and is probably causing the leakage. If your not having leakage, what is casuing the pain with your skin tags?

Also, I can't use Tucks or any other wipes, thay all burn like hell. The only cream that I use is Calmoseptine. I buy three tubes at a time.

Thanks again!

Tony

Hi,

I am not sure exactly what the pain is, but it feels like that tissue is swelling now that I am using that area again. And that swelling feels like the area is being constricted, so for me it is this feeling of tightness, and I think the inflammation pads and creams help relax that.

I am hoping once I am longer out from the takedown that my body will settle down and this will relax some.

Mark

I have a small tag that doens't bother me unless I wipe too much. Have you tried any topical anaesthetics? Xylocaine or lidocaine? When I had a fissure, they were the only things that took away the pain.

Hello Cher,

Thanks for the reply. I have some follow up questions, if you don't mind. Were you having leakage when your skin tag was removed? My Dr. is affraid that the incision won't heal with the rectal leakage that I'm experiencing. He wants to continue to treat it with creams that should further reduce the size of the skin tag and further reduce the leakage and the associated burning. He says that in the past year the skin tag is less than half the initial size. But, I'm affraid that that it will take another year to reduce it by half again, and it will never go away on it's own.

I'm a year post takedown and haven't had any fissures, Thank God!

Thanks!

Tony

Hello M&S,

Yes, I've tried at least five different topical anaesthetics. It helps a little. The skin on the tag is so raw that the topical anaesthetics have little effect. The only thing that stops the burning is pain medication, and I can't keep taking pain meds forever.

Thanks,

Tony

Hi Tony,
I wasn't having any leakage of any sort before all this fun started. After the botox, however, I have experienced a few episodes of leakage. I think mine had to come off because they were making it hard for the fissures to heal properly. How long have you had this skin tag problem?? Seems like a long time. Hope this helps! I'll check back later though if you have any other questions.
Cheryl

I am fighting with fissures, which my surgeon explained are in a vicious causation-cycle with stricture at the anastomosis and spasm of the inner sphincter. I have just ordered personal dilators to try to avoid the Botox treatment, because I can not imagine 2-4 months of leakage/incontinence, which is one of the possible "rewards."

I use topical (not covered by insurance) painkillers . . . but for the most part find some relief with keeping the area dry and using an anti-fungal powder.

I am also on maintenance Cipro for a vaginal fistula from 17 months ago.

My life is now down to less than 25% good days. . . .