Any of you who deal with cuffitis on recurring basis have rules of thumb about when to call doc? when to start an antibiotic etc.?

I'm ~9 months post takedown and for past month I have been going back and forth dealing with something that I first thought might be pouchitis but now I'm feeling like if it is "something" it is more likely around the cuff area.....

when I called doc a few weeks ago the holiday shift on call doc sort of made me feel as though it would be better if I could figure out how to handle it on my own rather than to get diagnosed/treated early on with something that might become recurring/chronic etc...??...as I heard those words from on call doc I had doubts about how true that might be?? But I figured it wouldn't hurt to try for a couple/few weeks on my own?...

After now having added VSL#3 to daily routine and tightened up my diet for a few weeks I still haven't gotten back to the good place I was a couple months ago. I am better though. I think it's possible I can get back on my own? But it has been slow..??...

I'm about to call to speak to surgeon just can't quite get myself to make call....any thoughts anyone?

Hey Mike,
I'm not sure what your symptoms are. I have a few ideas but I'm not clear on what your pain issue is...tell us more!

Blessings,
Rich

MM, I had a ~5 week stretch where everything was pretty darned good. But seems I expanded diet a bit too much and got off track. Since then I am fragile. If I stray at all from my bland, safe diet it comes back hard on me. Puts me in the tub for the evening and on pain meds.

The biggest symptom from past few weeks has been stinging, burning at our rearmost opening. At times it is just the tip and at times it burns in a bigger area but all stemming back from southernmost shore. I haven't seen any bleeding though.

I ended up calling doc's office yesterday and "resident/fellow" returned call suggesting I either make appointment with stoma nurse or my primary doc (not surgeon). Stoma nurse for barrier, coping ideas I guess?? Primary doc to be examined for fungal issues. I'm intending to call my primary today to see if I can get a prescrip for some anti-fungal cream??

I am unsure about which OTC anti-fungals might be safe for us to use down there? Lots of OTC anti-fungals in the itching racks/ailes at walgreen's but not sure which would be safe??

I'm taking th4e VSL #3 probiotic now and that has definitely helped. I'm taking the capsules though (one in am and one at night). I have read some posts here though about "packets"... I wonder if I should take more VSL #3? or a higher potency (and more expensive(??))) version of the VSL #3?

Any of the topical antifungals are fine, but if you are worried, look for the ones claiming to treat "jock" itch or vaginal itch.

Jan