posting after a long absence

[artteacher]

Hi everyone,

My MC has been relatively controlled by diet modification for quite a while. However, I've had progressively frequent D in the past year, and incontinence even when I didn't have D. I went back to doctors (primary care, GI, then a rectal-anal specialist). The short story is that I have rectal muscle damage due to childbirth. I'm currently doing kegels and pelvic floor exercises with biofeedback, and after re-evaluation in 5 weeks, if there is no improvement, anal muscle repair surgery may be recommended. I have the choice to do it, or not, and will have 2nd and 3rd opinions. *Fortunately, my family doctor has recent experience with the procedure and the best doctors who do it, having just helped his mother-in-law arrange tests and doctors for the same condition.

I also had a colonoscopy, which showed no microscopic colitis. There were random multiple biopsies, so I hope they haven't missed an existing but illusive condition. Going off the lab report, I can tell you where in the digestive tract the biopsies were taken from, if that helps.

Any thoughts please?
Marsha

[tex]

Hi Marsha,

Welcome back. Sorry to hear about the problems, but congratulations on the clear biopsies. As Roseanne Rosannadanna used to always say, "It's always something".

When checking for signs of residual inflammation, I believe the most important area to check is the ascending colon, (the right-side colon), so if that was clear, you're probably home free on the MC.

FWIW, Rich, (hoosier1) is also currently dealing with pelvic floor problems, but his issues obviously weren't caused by childbirth.

I hope you can resolve the problem with a minimum amount of hassle.

Tex

[hoosier1]

Read my mind, Tex. And u are correct, my PFD was not caused by childbirth, at least not that I know of

Marsha, I have the opposite problem as you, a contracted pelvic floor - always in tension. God knows why. But I am seeing a PT to learn to relax my pelvic floor. So far, I think I have made a little progress.

So I will be thinking about you. You may want to get a biofeedback monitor to help you strenthen your rectal area. I bought one from a company in the UK called Peritone. It aids you when doing you exercises to see and record your progress. Let me know if you need any more info.

Rich

[artteacher]

Thanks very much Rich, I'll be thinking about you too. The classes use biofeedback, so I think the device I'm using (so I can see on a moniter when the exercise is working) is similar to what you're using. Yes, it helps a lot, doesn't it? If it's ok with you, I'll ask my therapist what suggestions she has for relaxation. I'll see her next Monday.

Have you had a sonogram to see if you have scar tissue, or anything physical that might be causing the lack of relaxation? As for me, I have scar tissue on the rectum muscle, also a complete lack of muscle surrounding the rectum between 10 and 2 (on a clock). Apparently that's due to big babies, or multiple babies, or just life. The pelvic floor exercises are to strengthen the supporting muscles which may help and compensate for the anemic rectum.

All my positive thoughts to you, Marsha

[Zizzle]

Marsha,
Just curious, how long ago did you have your kids? I had significant tearing and episiotomies with both of mine, and far so good. My obstetrician is always proud of his repairs, but I wonder if the scars may come back to haunt me later?