home 2 days from takedown

For the reasons you mentioned, I kept my temporary ileostomy for a full year! Takedown made things very different but gradually became my new normal and I never think about how many times "I go" or the consistency of my effluent. Both vary considerably for me from day to day. At first I wondered why I gave up my wonderful ileostomy but it didn't take long before I realized the advantages of having a J-pouch certainly outnumbered my positive experiences with the ileostomy.

Ill try to be patient just worried I have no feeling of being able to hold it in and it seems like a lot - formed though.

I had my takedown back in Feb of this year. I kept a log for the first two weeks or so after takedown. I was going anywhere from 18 to 22 times a day the first week.

I was starting to think, "ohh no, should I have just kept my bag", which I had for 11 months and had a lot of success and freedom with it.

After the takedown It was like having my UC symptoms all over again. I had very little control and the burn got sooooo bad at times. I started having 1 less BM per day (on average) I went back to work 3 weeks after takedown and each day was easier. I'm an electrician so I was worried about a hernia with all the cuts and scars I have but I've had no issues with that and I couldn't be happier, now that is.

So here I am, 6 months after takedown and I have anywhere from 5 to 8 BM's a day. I don't take any prescription meds which was my goal. I do have a glass of medimucil every night, if I don't my stool is really loose and I'll have to go a few more times trough the next day. So I just made that part of my routine and things are good. And the best part is that I have CONTROL. I still have to go more than a "normal" person but this is our new normal..

So hang in there, it will be tough at times but I assure you it will be better.

Expect things to be very active the first couple of weeks. And try not to worry because it's totally normal. (I know...easier said than done). But your body need time to adjust to it's new plumbing. It gets better but depending on the person, improvement may come in weeks not days. Congrats on getting thru all the surgeries!

Thanks but all I can say us ouch! Day was better but the past six hours have been non stop and burning. Hanging in there though.

What are you using for the burn? Barrier creams can be very helpful, as can sitz baths. It is important to make very sure you are clean after each trip to the toilet, but don't rub hard with TP or it'll make things worse! Many here use flushable wet wipes or perianal squirt bottles or bidets. Or you can simply shower off each time, but that takes a lot of time.

It really WILL get better; it is hard to be patient sometimes, but try to keep your eyes on the goal! I've just had a pouch advancement and was almost completely incontinent (& in diapers!) for a month. It was TERRIBLE. But then I turned a corner and am gaining back a bit more control every day; you will, too.

Gin

Also.....try to limit your diet to very bland and simple foods for awhile and see if it makes a difference. For me, my butt burn is directly related to what I've eaten or had to drink. Some of it seems to make no sense at all but still plays a roll in my butt burn. Eggs, for instance! At times they play havoc with my anus! Ouch!

Today was bad. It actually hurts to sit because my anus is throbbing. Is that normal? I took one lomotil because I was desperate.

My surgeon started Lomotil and Metamucil as soon as I started eating. It was good to have some tools to work with.

Hang in there, it does get better. I was you 5 weeks ago and things are slowly getting better. Ask your dr. for lidocaine this worked wonders on my anus for the pain. It was so bad I couldn't sit after 1 use of lidocaine I felt relief. I also took lots of sitz baths (3 or more a day) and I used barrier cream or vaseline for a skin barrier. I also used baby wipes sensitive skin with aloe and vitamin E and toliet paper to dab off moisture from wipes (never wipe only pat off) and use spray bottle to clean off. I am currently having between 7-11 BM a day. I also take 2 immodium 3 times a day and questran 2 times a day. I needed help bulking up but you said you have formed stools so you may not need this. Good luck and keep us posted. This is a great site to ask for advice, it has helped me.