thanks to all for responding, I have a great deal of pure liquid movements that feel like im passing battery acid. and Im still having over 12 movements a day. its been 2 1/2 months I really hope I begin to slow down. any hints on what to eat to prevent all the liquid movements?
and should I consule my dr. before i try metamucil?

I had the same problem with the burning. I would use a sprayer instead of toilet paper because it was more soothing. My butt burned so bad I would sit in a couple of inches of ice cold water in the tub. It feels like heaven when you have butt burn.

VSL #3 helped a lot. It tastes nasty, but I mix it with yogurt. It takes away the stool's acidity. Health insurance pays for it most of the time if you have it because it is expensive. Also, certain foods can cause the burning. Spicy foods should be avoided. One time I had spicy guacamole that gave me severe butt burn for 4 days. Not recommended. I found out that in time the burn went away too. A combination of these three things for me helped get rid of the burn. I think the VSL#3 helped the most though. It will make you go the bathroom a lot the first week until you adjust to it, but then will get better.

I would just go ahead and start with the metamucil. You do not need a doctor to tell you. it should help with thickening the stool and hopefully the urgency will get better.

You might also want to abide by the diet this website advises on. Certain foods make you go more like caffeine and leafy foods. Although I think it can be different with everyone. I stick to carbs and that helps my stool not remain pure liquid all of the time.

Hope this helps. I would go and get some VSL#3 and metamucil. Also try some diet adjustments by what this site says. I like Calmoseptine for the butt burn and cold baths.

Thanks again. gonna try metamucil tommorow.
I gave up my 15 year addiction to dunkin donuts coffee and have been a faithfull vsl user.
gonna try a carb regiment for the next few days

To help relieve your butt burn, I recommend using Critic-Aid Skin Paste (from Sween) available from most Ostomy Supply Companies. Also, Desitin Creamy (Ultra Smooth Formula) - the same used for Diaper Rash - available from your local Drug Store, Wal-Mart, etc. Also, I found that wiping with Witch Hazel after each movement helped. Try Major Medi-Pads (Hemorrhoidal Pads with Witch Hazel) or Tucks. The Witch Hazel is cooling and soothing.

Eating Bananas, Peanut Butter, and Marshmallows helps to thicken your stool and AVOID any gasous food, as much as possible. Taking Imodium A-D will help, as well. Talk to your doctor about his recommendation for diet and meds also any ET Nurse would be of considerable help. Check with your local Hospitals about finding an ET Nurse. I believe that you should be able to apply the same eating suggestions as for Illeostomates, so you might want to check the Web for UOAA.org Chapters and check with your Local Chapter. Also, try www.ostomy.evansville.net and search their Website for articles on this problem and diet.

Hope this helps. Take care and I wish you fast improvement. Norm S.

I found that including cooked rice with well cooked soft carrots do wonders to thickening my output. I always have a bowl before bedtime now.

Hi, I totally sympathize. For the first 5 years after my surgery, this was a constant issue for me. I found my handheld shower massage to be my lifesaver, literally. I would be shaking from the pain, jump in the shower, aim with a cold stream of water and after 3-4 seconds of even worse pain--relief. Also, I am still using puffs plus tucked right up there to catch drainage. Vitamin A&D ointment is the most soothing, I have found. Also, when it's really horrible, a cold washcloth or even an ice cube held for a few seconds you know where. I've actually slept with a cold washcloth you know where. Try to increase your bread, but not too much. Rice also works. Also, applesauce. You want to be able to go, but keep the liquid down. It should decrease over time. Mine, after 20 years, is much better. Of course...I still use the Puffs and I actually sleep with padded undies...to many accidents where I don't wake up in the night. Still...no pain and no running and no ulcerative colitis. So much better than my previous life! Hang in there and try some of my tips. I still cannot live without my shower massage. Some days, it's just such a comfort. It also helps ease constipation when that happens.

Also, too much activity exacerbates the problem. It may be awhile before you can take long walks, do aerobics, etc. I'm just to the point...actually, it took about 15 years, but I was in very bad shape when I had my surgery and my great surgeon just barely pulled it off...15 years before I could take long walks without worrying. You are going to have to find what works for you. When you are having problems, don't move around much until it eases up. I believe that the loss of the colon has caused a lack of something that neutralizes acid in the digestive tract, or someone told me that once. So that, coupled with the pouch, cause this horrible acid. It really is bad. Can make you scream out loud. Keep A&D around, also some nice aloe wet ones...And get that shower massage. I'm telling you, I can't live without it.

Just don't include anything spicy in your diet. It should lessen the burning effect. Have you tried ILEX with vaseline (petroleum jelly) over it? It protects the perianal area. Calmoseptine is also good but its not a good enough barrier.

Oatmeal is also a great food to eat to help absorb all the battery acid, and tastes a LOT better than any of the fibers!

Also, I'd recommend picking up one of those hand-held bidets- very inexpensive, and easy to install.

Calmoseptine is also an absolute must if/when you're having a rough day- begin to use it BEFORE it gets real sore, and you'll be fine!

I'd pick up the rubber gloves in bulk at Costco for the application!

//Todd