Sounds very normal to me! My surgeon still asks how many bm's I have every day. I haven't counted for years. It varies for me. Things will change for you and I think it is a good idea to not take immodium right away. Try to eat the kinds of foods which help to thicken your effluent and make it easier on your butt. Stay hydrated. Introduce the foods you like systematically and slowly. Best wishes!

Thank you CeeeeCeeee I really appreciate your input. My surgeon recommended I take imodium to help slow things down for now. I need some healing time. The itch is really getting bad though. Its worse than the pain. Any recommendations?

Sounds like you are doing great being only 3 weeks out. Calmoseptine works great on the itch and burn. I can't live without it.

Very normal for this stage of recovery. I know you're probably getting impatient, but improvement is gradual, and you're looking ahead more to 3 months, 6 months, and the 1 year mark. In fact, I'm over 4 years out and still noticing a few changes.

For the itch, definitely the creams already recommended will be helpful. However, it could be yeast and in that case you may need a topical antifungal cream. One thing you could try; the nurse recommended cleaning with witch hazel after each BM. This helped a great deal, and I still use it whenever I have burning. I would caution you, however, that some drug store brands of witch hazel have a high alcohol content, and the higher the content, the more likely you are to have stinging when you use it. Your best bet is to pick it up at a health store, or failing that, use a brand with the lowest content you can find.

Good luck!

Spooky Do you know a good anti fungal cream for the itch. I will try anything at this point. I have been using the calomsopine but it seems to make it worse. Not sure if the stool is sticking to it. I also use Prep H and sitz bath once a day.

Your best bet for an antifungal is to buy one of the over-the-counter topical yeast infection creams, such as Canesten or Monistat. They are usually sold with the feminine or family planning products. If you are uncomfortable buying it yourself, maybe a female relative or friend can pick it up for you?

The good thing is that they are relatively inexpensive, about $6-$10 per tube. You can also get an antifungal powder, nystatin, by prescription, though I much prefer the cream.

Hi A cream my Dr. gave me a presc. for in Canada at least is called Viaderm KC drug company is Taro I found it excellent it is a combo of corticosteriod,anti-inflammatory,antibacterial as well antifungal. Because it has a steriod I would use it as needed not on a forever after every BM. I found it cooled things down very quickly.

I just contacted my surgeon and he recommended Balneol and over the counter cleansing cream for both men and women. It does have an anti fungal incredient.

I used Balneol when I was in the throes of UC. It was a very gentle, cooling cleanser and easy to use since it didn't stick as much as the Calmoseptine type ointment. Best wishes on getting a hand on the butt situation!