Terrible itching

I would suspect that the itching is from anal irritation from the frequent stools. Antibiotics may help, even if this is not pouchitis or bacterial overgrowth, because they should thicken the stool and slow things down. High frequency is enough to assume pouchitis or bacterial overgrowth, as that is the hallmark symptom. Fever is uncommon, and other symptoms vary from person to person. For me, a tell tale sign is a feeling of incomplete emptying, urges with little in the pouch, and a bad smell. I think pouchitis is preferable to a stricture. Stricture is easily ruled out or diagnosed by a digital exam in the office.

Fiber supplements can also help bulk the stools and prevent irritation from the bile acids. Bile binding agents (like Cholestramine), are sometimes prescribed to reduce the effect of bile that is not reabsorbed (one of the functions of the colon).

Jan

Thanks jan. I got a call in Friday and started cipro In hopes something gets better over the weekend. I have slowed down tremendously and the itching has gotten better. Still there but much better. It feels strange not to have a bm every time I'm in the bathroom. 

I'm hoping this is the problem and Im gonna be " fixed". 

Deanna6,

I am sorry to hear of your itching problem.I have the same issue,I have been diagnosed with IPS Irritable Pouch Syndrome.I would follow Jan Dollar's advice.I take daily Metamucil capsule to thicken the stool and also immodium daily.I am deciding whether to go back to wearing the bag.I would reccommend frequent baths for the itching,and I have used calmoseptine at times,although it burns and sometimes causes more bowel activity.I wish you great health and hope I gave you some good advice,I have come to realize how difficult living with a J-pouch can be,i have adjusted to a more positive attitude,but it is very frustrating at times.Wish you great health in the future pauln

Pauln-

thanks for the note. I do use calmoseptine daily, the only cream I found that helps at all...I'm saddened to hear that you have this problem too and that it's "a thing" and may not go away!!

I have a very well behaved j-pouch but can definitely get some bad itching.  I also went through the tests for yeast, etc and tried all sorts of lotions and potions.  The two things that work for me are:

I have a bidet toilet seat - can't recommend enough.  Helps clean and relieve itching.

Also, Ilex is the only topical remedy that works for me.  Don't forget to put a thin layer of vaseline or A&D ointment on after it or things will be very sticky.

Going to try ilex myself, quite expensive in the UK.

By the way as it drys up would it be a problem applying the paste higher up, or is that a no no?

Is Ilex by prescription? I'll have to check into that..

because I haven't calmed down I to a good routine yet-3 months post takedown- I haven't yet added fresh fruits or veggies or an alcoholic drink or anything. I know everyone is different but dr said to try and add foods as you go but I'm just scared to try since I'm still dealing with things. When did so e of you get to add fruits etc??

I get horrific burning and pain when I eat oranges or anything with tomato.  Perhaps something in your diet is contributing to your discomfort?

ilex is not by prescription, but your pharmacy may have to special order it for you. That's usually faster than ordering online. It works best for my itch and burn, but A+D original ointment should help too while you wait for the ilex. (It's usually with the baby care products)

I have had burning on and off for almost a year. The topical skin cream that works the best for me ic Convatec Sensi Cream 3. However, it can be difficult to clean off w/o using a wet cloth. CalmosepIne works well when the burning is not as severe and is easier to clean off.  I found that staying away from acid forming foods ( tomatoes, red meat, orange juice, etc.) seemed to help. Finally I became desperate and tried acupuncture with herbal supplements. The burning did go away for a while but this was also the period when I was taking Sodium Bicarconate which made the pH of my urine less acidic. Thus I am not sure if the acupuncture or Sodium Bicarbonate did  the trick.

Bottom line: I have tried many things, including pelvic floor therapy, some have worked temporarily but sorry to say nothing has totally eliminated the burning as yet.

My surgeon says anal itching is usually caused by seepage......even if it isn't really visible.  He suggested keeping the anal area really clean and as dry as possible.  Thickening the stool is helpful, as well.  He recommended taking Metamucil.  I do have a bidet and spraying hot water on the itchy area really helps, followed by drying it off really well before applying a barrier cream.  I use Calmoseptine.  Diligence is the key.  The minute we let up on taking care of the area affected, the sooner the itching seems to reoccur.  Best wishes!

Oh my goodness. Sounds exactly like me. Except I found out very early on that I had two fissures and hemorrhoids. I had takedown just this last march however. Sometimes I itch in my sleep and the area around my butt becomes raw and oozing. It is horrible I am with you! 

I have been on long dose antibiotics since this summer because I got severe pouchitis right away after take down. I don't correlate the pouchitis with itching though necessarily, I am also wondering what the cause of it is!

After surgery back in 1991, I had itiching problems.  I used perianal pads. I got them at home health medical supply store.  they are soft and padded, butterfly shaped and fit in the perianal area and absorb any leakage.  Also, you will laugh about this.  I carried a kit in my purse that contained the pads, my ointment and a small blow dryer.  I  also had a blow dryer at home I used to dry the perianal area before apply the barrier cream and them applying the perianal pad.  The barrier cream I used back them was called Sayman Salve.  Don't know if still available.  Now I use generic hemmoroid ointment.  Bidets are wonderful.. There are kits available that can make a regualr toilet like a bidet.   

    also when I had bad bouts of itching and burning I actually measured the pH of the leakage.  7.0 is a neutral pH.  the pH of the stool  was  8.5.  That is extremely alkaline and essentially caustic to the skin.  So I learned to drink buttermilk which seems to help regulate pH  and intestinal health.  I measured the pH of butter milk which is the opposite of alkaline.  Hope this helps.   Itching for me is occasional  and depends on what I eat.   Fried foods seem to set it off or too much sugar. Sometimes if I eat something I know is going to set me off, I will drink buttermilk before or after the offending item  as soon as possible or will predose with metamucil or immodium.

A cause would be nice! My doctors office seems to be stumped snd had never heard of someone having terrible itching issues... Really!? This is all you do.... I've learned more on here and now will get ph strips and check into that. I'll be calling them for a rx for something, crazy! And th cream several are mentioning the ilex, never been mentioned before... Just crazy! Frustrating!

If any of you check the pH of your stools while having itching and burning, could you report back?  I used to work in a lab and the scientific side of me is curious? 

Just wondering!!

I have taken some advice and trying to go back a little with the diet. Cut back on the dairy and go pretty bland again with chicken, eggs, wheat and seems to have helped.  Wondering if anyone has used lidocaine on their bum for butt burn ? I have used and liked the calmoseptine IN the last but when it's bad I'd love it to be numb! Thoughts?

Yes I have used some hemorroid creams that had lidocaine in them.  I think it was anusol.  Haven't done it in a long time.  If I remember correctly, it really stings at first, but it did help by numbing.