How new is your j pouch; do you still have a temp ilostomy ?

I only experienced extensive anal leakage just after the creation of the J pouch, whilst still in Hospital; it was terrible, although by time I was discharged the leakage to such an extent had reduced.

Since takedown and once recovered, I've never experienced leakage during my sleep.

ilex Protectant Paste, in my opinion; is by far the best product to alleviate and prevent the symptoms of butt burn.

I've never had the need to use ilex Paste for butt burn, although, I did endure excruciating pain and a burning sensation to the skin around my temp Stoma, caused by leakage; but within 3 days of applying the ilex paste my skin had completely healed.

I continued to apply ilex around the stoma as a precaution, until takedown, as ilex also protects the skin.

When applied between the cheeks, depending on the severity skin damage, it can create a sticky and gloopy mess, although totally worth the mess to relieve your symptoms.

If the skin is red raw, wet and oozing; the ilex needs to be heavily smeared over the affected area.

Once applied in such a manner, it's best to leave the ilex applied and reapply afte each and every BM for at least 3 to 4 days and until the ilex begins to peel off by itself.

Once the skin has healed, only a small pea size amount of ilex can be applied, don't rubbed it in and this will help prevent the skin damage from occurring.

When ilex is applied lightly, wet wipes will sufficiently remove it when needed.

During the day. It's wise to wear pads as on occasions, heavy leakage can occur.

Almost 5 mos. out, still have leakage.  Taking Immodium at night and that has helped, Benefiber with breakfast and Peptobismol with dinner.  I have an appt. with my surgeon in 2 weeks.  Daytime leakage usually when I have to go but hold it off til I get to a bathroom.  I know my surgeon said it may take a while so I am being patient.  I use Calmoseptine and have a bidet.  I carry wipes and Calmoseptine with me because I am on the road with my job.

Hello, SJAN810.

My reversal was eight months ago. In the beginning I had leakage all the time. Unbearable stinging and burning caused by liquid leaks and sometimes stool. Couldn't leave the house for longer than an hour before the leak started and the burning would be so bad I would have to rush home. It will get better, please give yourself some time. I can be out now for hours without problems, and get through the night four or five days of the week without leaks. I wear panty liners at all times, and at night wear two, front and back. I did not tuck anything at the opening to absorb leakage because it only made things worse by keeping the moisture right on my skin. I never used toilet paper in public bathrooms (sandpaper, and thin) I carried moistened, soft paper towels in a small plastic container and used that. I also used my travel bidet to keep the area clean. Calmoseptine at first, but I found it a bit harsh on my irritated skin (it has menthol in it) so in later months I only needed to use the milder Zinc Oxide used on babies. The burn and rash and fissures caused a lot of pain, but it did ease off to almost nothing now, except once or twice a month due to something I've tried to reintroduce to my diet, such as citrus fruit, tomato sauce, or spicy food. Even a hard vegetable that is hard to expel and the straining can cause small leaks because the pouch was not fully empty. I had to cook vegetables really well. Do you keep a food diary to see if any food causes more leakage?  A travel bidet and an attachment on my toilet helped me 100%. Also using the bathroom before bedtime, to empty my pouch, helped stop leaks at night. I found if I didn't have a BM before bed, there would be small accidents. I do the same before going out. It takes time. I know it's frustrating, and it stings and you have to change a few times a day, there's extra laundry, and you think it will take forever to feel better, but it will get better. You will get better.

Thanks you guys. It's only been about 3 weeks since my ileostomy takedown surgery so I know it's going to take time for things to get better. It's encouraging to hear that things have improved for you over time. I've been avoiding tomato sauce and citrus juice because I think it might make things worse. My skin is holding up pretty well, no redness, just some burning and itching and the feeling of moisture in that area that drives me crazy. I'm taking Imodium at night and that is helping a bit. Does anyone know why the leakage occurs? It seems strange to me because when there is more substantial stuff that needs to come out I can hold it and it is usually thicker not straight liquid so I don't know where this small amount of liquid comes from that seeps out on its own. I am going a lot, like maybe 15 times a day and only a small amount comes out at a time and sometimes it feels like there is more there but it doesn't all want to come out at once. One of you said something about the pouch not emptying completely and that causing leaks, does that have something to do with it? Does that get better? Also one of you said something about the leaks happening when you have to go to the bathroom and you hold it, I think that happens to me sometimes too. It feels kind of like I have to go and I hold it because I don't want to be in the bathroom 24/7 so I try to wait until I REALLY have to go. I guess maybe it's just something that I have to be patient with and hopefully it will improve over time. Thanks again everyone! It's really nice to have a place to talk to people about this stuff because no one I know really understands completely what I'm going through. Thank you!

Keep the area as clean and dry as possible. Some members clean and then use a hairdryer to completely dry the area before applying the barrier cream. Never put on barrier cream if your skin is still moist; that will seal in the moisture. Fungus can result. Dry and comfortable will help the area to heal. I didn't have any problems until my third or fourth week when my skin broke down. Try to keep your skin from breaking down. I think I used to leak because my pouch was full, or even half full, and a small liquid amount would seep out. And yes, the feeling of seepage drove me crazy, made me sad, especially when away from home. I just wanted to have a normal outing! Carry moist paper towels and find a bathroom quickly to clean. The mistake I made in my first few weeks was I didn't keep supplies with me, and by the time I got home the area was burning and raw. It would take days to heal. Then start over again, like a bad cycle.

I think when there is stool inside, especially if it's loose stool, the opening might be under some pressure and expand a bit even if your sphincter muscles are tight, so any small bit of liquid can slip out. Unless I am away from the house and can't find a bathroom easily, I go whenever I'm home and feel pressure in the pouch so I don't have stool inside for too long. I don't take Immodium or Metamucil. Tried them, but they didn't do much for me. I get pouchitis a lot, so I try to empty when I feel pressure; I don't wait too long. I am averaging five times in 24 hours. Always empty before bed. In the beginning weeks I was 12 + times a day, constant leaks.

So it does get better. Your pouch is young and your small intestine is not used to being a "colon". It's still learning. Today I was out from 10:30 to 3:30 no leaks, no urgency, had lunch, walked around Christmas shopping. Was okay. Other than a recent episode of pain that went away in a week, it's much better and I never thought I would be able to say this after reversal in April and through the summer. 

Thank you WINTERBERRY, this is very encouraging! I will keep doing what I can to help the situation and try to be patient while my body adjusts. This gives me hope that things will get better! Thank you!