Hope everyone is doing well. I still have a little ways to go till my second of the third surgery for the jpouch and have been trying to educate myself on so much information regarding the jpouch. I was wondering how long the but burn lasts usually after the final surgery for the jpouch. I know everyone is different and everyone's bodies and genetics and situation is different, my point is, is but burn something temporary or does it go away with time?
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It all depends on what you eat and all that good stuff. I used 40% zinc oxide generic from Target. And I hope you have a bidet. That is a must and you will love it. I also used heating pad for backaches with the burning. Everyone is different with the burning. But you’ll do fine.
Everyone is different, for sure. I had butt burn for several months after takedown, but after that, I never have it now. I only used Calmoseptine and I have a bidet, that I used all the time in the first year but not so much now. It probably helps that I don’t really eat much that’s spicy. I am 4 1/2 years out at this point. What really helped was making sure you use some type of barrier cream right from the start. I brought Calmoseptine to the hospital with me along with soft toilet paper. I usually use either Charmin or Kirkland (Costco brand). Costco also carries Calmoseptine if you decide to use that particular barrier cream. I have also heard that there are other diaper type creams that work well and Ilex paste. You’ll see what works for you when the time comes.
What causes butt burn after surgery is the pH of the stool being excessively alkaline due to removal of the colon. Over time, usually, your body adjusts the pH and the issue fades. I had butt burn in various degrees for 1-2 years after takedown, and not at all in the 26 years since it faded. For the first part of that time it did not seem that what I ate mattered, I had butt burn continuously. As time went on, it became sporadic, and the problem was only with certain foods. Then the problem just stopped altogether, and did not occur with any foods.
As mentioned by prior posters, Calmoseptine, zinc oxide ointments, and bidets are all solid and effective treatments. I am not sure if Calmoseptine was around in the early 1990s, if it was, I did not hear about it, so I used zinc oxide ointments. Those ointments come in different percentages ranging from like 10 to 40%. The higher the %, the thicker the ointment. I found the higher % ointments caulked my butt cheeks together and did not work as well as the creamier low % zinc ointments. The lower % creamier ointments have to be applied more. It's a matter of preference and what works best on your skin.
I am 8 years out as a J-Poucher and I still get butt burn but it all depends on what I eat. I use a barrier cream in a thin layer and that usually helps right away. When I first started using my pouch I found that moist wipes after a bm were quite soothing. DO NOT FLUSH THEM DOWN THE TOILET. They are really hard on the sewage system.
I am almost at one year since takedown. (Feb 26) I was so concerned about butt burn because I had so much burning on my skin with my loop ostomy. I've had butt burn and use calmoseptine when I do. However, I've rarely had butt burn. I thought it would be a big issue but the times I've had it were early on and usually diet related, like too spicy. Now I can eat tomato sauce, salsa, etc and don't really have issues. So everyone is different.
I'm 10 weeks with a jpouch and I hardly ever get butt burn. I take metamucil and that seems to keep the butt burn away.
Every so often I take a day or 2 off from the metamucil. I do it to basically give myself diarrhea or close to it. It sucks but I find it really cleans me out. And in these times I get butt burn. I bought a hand held bidet and it really really helps when you have butt burn. But as soon as I go back on the metamucil the butt burn is gone
I’m 21 years with my pouch and still get the occasional butt burn. I’m sure that it is food related but it’s nothing that a little bit of calmoseptine doesn’t resolve quickly. Every couple of years, I buy a new tube. I’ve never used the whole tube, just want a fresh tube. You will learn to manage butt burn and other symptoms that come with having a pouch. Thankfully, I don’t give it much though each day. It’s just a part of my life now.
Thank you Lisa.
My butt burn was all the time. I would slather on the Calmoseptine; it would make it better on the outside, but not the excruciating burn on the inside. What helped is taking Metmucil...a lot... in the morning and evening. It forms your stool so it's not that acidy liquid. I even carry a container with a few doses in my purse. It has actually allowed me to live a normal life, out of pain and going only a few times a day instead of 15 times.
thank you. I appreciate the info big time.
@Meatball posted:My butt burn was all the time. I would slather on the Calmoseptine; it would make it better on the outside, but not the excruciating burn on the inside. What helped is taking Metmucil...a lot... in the morning and evening. It forms your stool so it's not that acidy liquid. I even carry a container with a few doses in my purse. It has actually allowed me to live a normal life, out of pain and going only a few times a day instead of 15 times.
In case you didn’t know, Metamucil is available in single-dose packets. I find that very helpful when traveling, or even when I might have to stay out through dinner.
Metamucil is a jpouches best friend
So many awesome people on this page with so much incredible info!
I forgot to mention since using Metamucil, I can eat anything I want and it has no affect when it comes out the other end, whether it's salads, hot spicy food, anything at all. It's made all the difference in the world!
Thank you!
Convatec sensi cream helped but did not take it away, it made it tolerant, that was my best friend at the time!!!! You will probably get use to everything over time. I found that drinking salt water helped my butt burn tremendously.
AND WIPES!!!!
