begining my pouchitis treatment...

JMarie-

You mentioned you "thought it was yeast." Did whomever prescribed Diflucan to you scrape the area and confirm it was yeast before giving you the Diflucan? Because frankly there is no reason to guess and be shooting from the hip with different meds when the scrape test confirms/denies the existence of a yeast or fungal infection in 30 seconds. Also, if it is a yeast infection it takes a few weeks to go away after Diflucan is taken although you should see and feel improvement within a week of the 1st dose.

I was not put on Diflucan until my dermatologist confirmed through a scrape test that I had a fungal infection. He also was able to determine the type of fungus if I recall correctly.

I have in the past had problems with butt burn from the stool within 1 year post-takedown. You make no mention in your post of how long past takedown you are. The stool is actually alkaline or has high alkalinity until your body adjusts although in some cases this does not happen.

Have you tried sitz baths? I guess they are the same as epsom salt baths but not 100% sure.

Yes, I agree that you should confirm yeast or no yeast. If it is yeast, you are probably aggrevating the problem by applying all of those barriers that are trapping in the yeast and moisture. If it is yeast, you need to keep it clean and dry and use only an antifungal.

quote:

If it is yeast, you are probably aggrevating the problem by applying all of those barriers that are trapping in the yeast and moisture.

100% correct, Desitin will grow a yeast infection and I unfortunately found this out the hard way.

Try getting a prescription *topical* yeast/anti fungal cream. That, mixed with lanolin, cured my daughter of a yeasty bottom, and worked with me when my fistula's drainage caused me a topical yeast infection.

The problem with antifungal creams is that they have water in them, and water feeds the fungi. I did not make any progress until I took the anti-fungal pills. Oxistat, according to my ace dermatologist, is the best anti-fungal cream in the world.

http://www.oxistat.com/oxistat/pdoxi_web_default.html

But it too has H2O as an ingredient, and I basically treaded water using it. Diflucan is what knocked that yeast infection out, and it was the mother of all yeast infections, if I may be so bold as to quote Saddam Hussein.

A better preventative option is antifungal powder, Zeaborb AF, there are numerous varities of it now:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UT...f=pd_sl_66jge9t7hw_e

I apply it in the legpit areas where I have been prone to yeast infections in the past. It will also clear up a small patch of yeast infection if you see one appear. For a heavy duty yeast infection, Diflucan is the best bet.

When I was initially in the hospital for 5 weeks, I was prescribed calmoseptine ointment because they thought I was developing a bedsore.

I still have the ointment and used it once for "butt burn" and it worked great.

It is a heavy thick cream/paste that is similar to desitin, but thicker.

The back label describes its uses as "A moisture barrier that prevents and helps heal skin irritations from: urine, diarrhea, perspiration, fistula drainage, feeding tube site leakage, wound drainage, etc..."

Installing a bidet was the best thing I ever did to help calm butt-burn. Now I use it for everyday use - helps to reduce the irritation associated with frequent trips to the loo.

I agree with TinCan. My bidet is a life saver. I have a Toto and it was well worth the expense. Toto also makes a hand held portable one which I use when traveling or at work. Good luck to you. Hope you are feeling a bit better.

Thank you everyone for sharing your first hand knowledge. I was treated with the Diflucan, there was a test and it was yeast. It helped with the main issue. I just finished a 3 week course of 500 mg of Cipro twice daily and am feeling pretty good. I'm still using the protective ointment to protect my skin as I have a small patch of skin that seems to get irritated very easily.

I like the bidet idea and was just commenting to my husband that we need to move to Europe so I can have convenient access to them I never thought of getting one at my house or that there would even be a hand held option. I'm excited about this news and am going to look into it after typing this.

On another note. I tried Align for 3 months per instruction from my GI Dr. and it didn't work. I"m thinking of trying VSL#3 and am wondering if it has worked or if there are any tips.

Now that my pouch flare seems to be minimal, of course like everyone else, I want to do everything I can to keep it happy. I often feel like I have a lion in there and I would do anything to keep it calm. Kind of a strange thought maybe but I just watched the Life of Pi and could really relate on that level.

Anyway, thanks again. This forum is a great stress reliever and support.

2004 Total Colectomy
1 month later reversal
1 yr. w/ ileostomy
takedown, 2006
Bilateral knees and left hip Avascular necrosis secondary to steroid tx (core decompressions and bone grafts)
Pouchitis 2008
childbirth??

I credit VSL #3 for keeping me off of antibiotics for a year. At this point I'm chronically on Cipro, but I consider that even more of a reason to stay on VSL...

I am on diflucan a lot with pouchitis. For butt burn I take a very hot bath,sitz,often with epsom salts, I used a bidet and use calmoseptine. I have tried everything and feel it works much better than any other cream.
Hope you feel better soon!