Is this normal post takedown.

RossAlexanderMember

Hi,

On the 28th I had my last stage operation done to remove my ileostomy and connect everything again. Post op I was great could walk, eat and very little pain. I was able to pass stool the first day of surgery and could hold it in if needed I would say average 6-8 times a day over my 3 day hospital stay. However when I got out yesterday I began feeling constant pressure and need to empty my pouch. Every time I tried to go little came out while other times a decent amount did. I would say I went about 20 or so times yesterday with not many of them being successful output wise. Also butt burn is really bad I have been dabbing with baby wipes and trying to use soothing creams but its still pretty rough. The pain from this is confusing me as I do not know if I actually urgently feel the need to go to the toilet or if its just the same pressure and slight discomfort I felt in hospital but seems worse as there is pain now. I feel like I could hold in if needed but feels extremely uncomfortable. How has this gotten worse since being in hospital. I know its still very early days but im just worried. Is this normal at all.

5/31/135:15 AM

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Holly MMember

Yes, it sounds very normal to me. I had the urge to go constantly after takedown and always thought to myself "I am never going to be able to leave the house". It does get better. This being said, you need to take your recovery one day at a time. It is a tough recovery and your new system is still trying to figure things out. For rear end comfort if you can get a bidet it is a "butt saver". If not make sure you clean your tush really well after each bm either with a squirt bottle of warm water or a shower if possible. It really helps alot because without the colon our bm's tend to have an acidey output. This site is a great place to be, I would have been lost without it. Take care.

5/31/136:42 AM

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RossAlexanderMember

Thank you very much for the quick reply its not even the frequency its the butt burn that bothers me so thanks for the tips.

5/31/136:45 AM

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rachelravenMember

I think I tried every butt cream in the book post takedown... the one everyone talks about on here, Calmoseptine, wasn't available in 1991, but it seems that a lot of people really swear by it. Different ones work better for different people. I tended to like A&D ointment back then. Now, I don't ever have issues with butt burn, can't remember the last time I ever had that, it's like things "toughened up" over time or something. If I do have irritation for any reason (it's never really butt burn anymore, and it's really rare), I still reach for A&D. I had good results with my daughter when she was a baby using the leftover lanolin cream Lansinoh, too. Cleared her right up when she had a round of diaper rash.

5/31/138:08 AM

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Scott FMember

Remember to use the creams as *barrier* creams - apply the cream after a bowel movememnt to protect the skin for the next one.

5/31/138:53 AM

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Holly MMember

PS and now I only use baby powder with corn starch to keep things nice and dry down in that area after each bathroom visit.

5/31/1312:08 PM

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Jan DollarModerator, RN, retired

Careful with the cornstarch, as it can feed a fungal infection! Use it very lightly and be sure you are completely dry before applying. And if a rash develops, don't use starch at all.

Sometimes if I get itchy and sore down there, I use antifungal cream dusted with an antifungal powder, like Zeosorb.

Jan

5/31/1312:21 PM

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kathy smithMember

Holly - I may be misremembering, but I think that I recall that using cornstarch might provide food for yeast and one can end up with a yeast infection. (I did a quick internet search and some say it can promote yeast infections and others say they swear by it. There you go. No answer.)

edit - well there you go - Jan spoke up while I was typing. She's a faster typer!

kathy

5/31/1312:22 PM

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mgmt10Member

All this sounds totally normal. Your body has to "learn" going to the bathroom again with your new plumbing plus you are healing on the inside. Calmospetine works great on butt burn. I can't live without that stuff. The only thing I will add from my experience is that if the weeks go by and you are still finding it difficult to empty, consult with your surgeon and get checked for a stricture. Sometimes you can have narrowing/scar tissue where the j pouch is attached to the anus and it needs to be dilated. I had a stricture develop right after takedown and there is a lot of pressure, some pain, difficulty emptying and my insides would make these tremendous loud rumbles. Being you just had surgery on the 28th I'm sure you have a follow up soon with your surgeon. Happy healing!

5/31/1312:45 PM

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Holly MMember

thanks for the cornstarch warning, so far I haven't had any issues but I do use a bidet and dry off really well. But may look into the other powder. Thanks!!

5/31/137:50 PM

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