Hi,
Has anyone ever had rectal pressure.
Its been going on for about a week.
Its so uncomfortable i cant sit.
Saw my GI who did a rectal exam and said 'no hemmorhoid, no polyp no mass'
i said 'well something is causing this pressure?"
He dismissed it maybe a "spasm" or "never thing"
What a waste of time and money.
Nobody cares anymore.
Anyone have any ideas how to releive the pressure?
Thank you,
Jen
ps Tex, thank you for working so hard on maintaining the website!! I know it is/was alot of work for you
rectal pressure
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
I'm not sure what you mean by rectal pressure so I probably haven't experienced what you're referring to. I do occasionally have a sort of very uncomfortable rectal tension (I'm not sure how to describe it), but usually, it only lasts for about an hour or less. Occasionally, it lasts for several hours, but that's uncommon. It seems to me like a nerve issue of some sort, but that's just a guess. I can remember it happening occasionally for at least a couple of decades (I've had MC for 20 years).
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Oh! You're talking about an issue officially known as tenesmus. Tenesmus refers to cramping rectal pain that gives you the feeling that you need to have a bowel movement, even if you've already emptied your bowels. Sometimes it causes you to strain harder to produce only a small amount of stool during bowel movements.
Doesn't that describe the symptoms you're having? Tenesmus is common with MC. When my MC was active, sometimes I had tenesmus, and sometimes I didn't.
Tex
Doesn't that describe the symptoms you're having? Tenesmus is common with MC. When my MC was active, sometimes I had tenesmus, and sometimes I didn't.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
As far as I'm aware, the only sure way to stop tenesmus is to stop the inflammation that's causing it. IOW, when you reach remission from MC, the tenesmus will be gone. An antiinflammatory medication (such as budesonide) might help. I don't have your medical records in front of me, like your doctor, so I can't remember the details of everyone's treatment program, consequently, I don't remember whether you're already taking budesonide, or not. If there are any other possibilities, your doctor should now about them, if you tell him/her the name of your issue (tenesmus).
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Re: rectal pressure
Hi Jen,
Question: have you been sitting a lot more over the last few months? I had something very similar back in April because my work and school went to online and I was sitting in a bad chair literally all day. I got a better chair cushion that has a hole around the butt part (kind of like a donut), made sure to get up and stretch more often, a foot rest, tried some yoga, and avoided inflammatory foods and my rectal pressure & low back pain went away within 2 weeks or so.
-Sarah
Question: have you been sitting a lot more over the last few months? I had something very similar back in April because my work and school went to online and I was sitting in a bad chair literally all day. I got a better chair cushion that has a hole around the butt part (kind of like a donut), made sure to get up and stretch more often, a foot rest, tried some yoga, and avoided inflammatory foods and my rectal pressure & low back pain went away within 2 weeks or so.
-Sarah
Re: rectal pressure
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for the response.
I recently thought i shoudl start doing pilates again.
I have been doing it for years but because of the dx i hadnt done it in 3 months.
IT was after i was done, i felt the pressure.
I thought it was rectal pressure but i beleive it is my tailbone.
I lost 14 lbs and i don't think there was enough padding to support my tailbone?
I did get a cushion and it helps while sitting, and no more pilates until i am able to put some weight back on.
Thanks so much
jen
Thank you for the response.
I recently thought i shoudl start doing pilates again.
I have been doing it for years but because of the dx i hadnt done it in 3 months.
IT was after i was done, i felt the pressure.
I thought it was rectal pressure but i beleive it is my tailbone.
I lost 14 lbs and i don't think there was enough padding to support my tailbone?
I did get a cushion and it helps while sitting, and no more pilates until i am able to put some weight back on.
Thanks so much
jen
-
tommyboywalker
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 126
- Joined: Tue Jan 23, 2018 3:49 pm
Re: rectal pressure
Hi Jennifer,
Another thing to consider is that you could be experiencing a sort of "pelvic shelf" pain, which is not at all uncommon, ask me how I know!
My backstory. In 2005, I was experiencing rectal pressure for many months and we just couldn't figure it out. Eventually I had an early first colonoscopy at age 45 just to see if we weren't missing something. All good with the colonoscopy, nothing was found. But while I was in the recovery room and the GI doctor came to talk to me.....he had reviewed my notes closely as this was a diagnostic colonoscopy, not a routine one. He asked me questions about my stress level. I told him that my stress lately had been through the roof high as I worked in a position with a high level security clearance. I will never forget to this day the words he said...."I think I know what you might have. It's called Levator Ani Syndrome". Levator Ani is a condition that is often caused by high stress levels and a constant contracting of the pelvic muscles. He said that if I reduced my stress level, the condition would likely go away. The following week I gave notice that I would be leaving my job. In the following months the symptoms slowly subsided and then completely went away.
There are a large number of chronic pelvic pain syndromes that are believed to be associated with the overuse of the human instinct to protect the genitals, rectum and contents of the pelvis from injury or pain by contracting the pelvic muscles. Can happen in men or women although a bit more common in women. This contracting of muscles results in a cycle of tension, anxiety and pain. What triggers the symptoms can be a major stress or several minor stresses occurring simultaneoulsly. Those stressors can be either psychological or physical. Once set off, anxiety and protective bracing fuel pain and dysfunction andd a self-feeding cycle begins that can seem to take on a life of its own. The pelvic floor muscles are not meant to be chronically contracted. The pelvic floor is not made of steel andd in certain individuals, it can be quite disturbed by chronic tension.
I'm of course absolutely not saying that is what you have. I am only suggesting to consider the possibility that it could be involved, even if there is more than one thing going on with root cause of your pain. These pelvic pain conditions are very often overlooked by doctors and it's up to the patient to explore if it may be related and to take the appropriate steps to help resolve it.
We all manifest stress in different ways. Some clench their jaws, some end up with stress headaches, some grind teeth, some have upset stomachs, others have upset stomach and on and on and on. And yup, some clench their pelvic muscles. First off, just having a chronic condition like Colitis is cause for some stress. Then add to it a global pandemic and the 87 other things in our lives that contribute and I'm guessing there is a whole lot of pelvic clenching going on with some folks! Anxiety is a pro-inflammatory state and anxiety may worsen inflammatory conditions. I was diagnosed with Melanoma skin cancer earlier in the year. Luckily we caught it pretty early and we think that surgery got all of it. But the stress of that diagnosis and surgery also triggered a relapse of my Colitis (now pretty much back under control) and a flare of my Complex Regional Pain condition in my foot, a complication of a past surgery. The importance of the mind-body connection cannot be overstated!
If you are interested in reading more about pelvic pain conditions of which there are actually many specific types, there is a fantastic book on it that I highly recommend. It is called "A Headache in the Pelvis, A new understanding and treatment for prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndromes" It is by Dr. David Wise and Dr. Rodney Anderson. Between ten and fifteen bucks and available in either paperback or Kindle. Lots of treatment suggestions in the book as well as being able to help you pinpoint what may be going on.
In the meantime, sitz baths in warm water can help and so can sitting on a heating pad. Exercise is helpful for sure but don't overdo it. I also take about 15 minutes a day and practice mindfulness meditation. Sound hoky? It did to me for sure but meditation it is one of the primary tools in my toolbox for controlling stress and it has helped me so much in many ways including how I process and manage physical pain.
All the best to you Jennifer, hope you get it figured out and please update if you do......
Another thing to consider is that you could be experiencing a sort of "pelvic shelf" pain, which is not at all uncommon, ask me how I know!
My backstory. In 2005, I was experiencing rectal pressure for many months and we just couldn't figure it out. Eventually I had an early first colonoscopy at age 45 just to see if we weren't missing something. All good with the colonoscopy, nothing was found. But while I was in the recovery room and the GI doctor came to talk to me.....he had reviewed my notes closely as this was a diagnostic colonoscopy, not a routine one. He asked me questions about my stress level. I told him that my stress lately had been through the roof high as I worked in a position with a high level security clearance. I will never forget to this day the words he said...."I think I know what you might have. It's called Levator Ani Syndrome". Levator Ani is a condition that is often caused by high stress levels and a constant contracting of the pelvic muscles. He said that if I reduced my stress level, the condition would likely go away. The following week I gave notice that I would be leaving my job. In the following months the symptoms slowly subsided and then completely went away.
There are a large number of chronic pelvic pain syndromes that are believed to be associated with the overuse of the human instinct to protect the genitals, rectum and contents of the pelvis from injury or pain by contracting the pelvic muscles. Can happen in men or women although a bit more common in women. This contracting of muscles results in a cycle of tension, anxiety and pain. What triggers the symptoms can be a major stress or several minor stresses occurring simultaneoulsly. Those stressors can be either psychological or physical. Once set off, anxiety and protective bracing fuel pain and dysfunction andd a self-feeding cycle begins that can seem to take on a life of its own. The pelvic floor muscles are not meant to be chronically contracted. The pelvic floor is not made of steel andd in certain individuals, it can be quite disturbed by chronic tension.
I'm of course absolutely not saying that is what you have. I am only suggesting to consider the possibility that it could be involved, even if there is more than one thing going on with root cause of your pain. These pelvic pain conditions are very often overlooked by doctors and it's up to the patient to explore if it may be related and to take the appropriate steps to help resolve it.
We all manifest stress in different ways. Some clench their jaws, some end up with stress headaches, some grind teeth, some have upset stomachs, others have upset stomach and on and on and on. And yup, some clench their pelvic muscles. First off, just having a chronic condition like Colitis is cause for some stress. Then add to it a global pandemic and the 87 other things in our lives that contribute and I'm guessing there is a whole lot of pelvic clenching going on with some folks! Anxiety is a pro-inflammatory state and anxiety may worsen inflammatory conditions. I was diagnosed with Melanoma skin cancer earlier in the year. Luckily we caught it pretty early and we think that surgery got all of it. But the stress of that diagnosis and surgery also triggered a relapse of my Colitis (now pretty much back under control) and a flare of my Complex Regional Pain condition in my foot, a complication of a past surgery. The importance of the mind-body connection cannot be overstated!
If you are interested in reading more about pelvic pain conditions of which there are actually many specific types, there is a fantastic book on it that I highly recommend. It is called "A Headache in the Pelvis, A new understanding and treatment for prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndromes" It is by Dr. David Wise and Dr. Rodney Anderson. Between ten and fifteen bucks and available in either paperback or Kindle. Lots of treatment suggestions in the book as well as being able to help you pinpoint what may be going on.
In the meantime, sitz baths in warm water can help and so can sitting on a heating pad. Exercise is helpful for sure but don't overdo it. I also take about 15 minutes a day and practice mindfulness meditation. Sound hoky? It did to me for sure but meditation it is one of the primary tools in my toolbox for controlling stress and it has helped me so much in many ways including how I process and manage physical pain.
All the best to you Jennifer, hope you get it figured out and please update if you do......
Re: rectal pressure
Wow, thank you tommyboywalker1
Someone else had suggested it may be Levator Ani Syndrome too.
i have had it for about 4 weeks, i havent been able to sit at all so on my feet all day long
i guess i have to look for a pelvic floor physical therapist now.
Thank you for your post
jen
Someone else had suggested it may be Levator Ani Syndrome too.
i have had it for about 4 weeks, i havent been able to sit at all so on my feet all day long
i guess i have to look for a pelvic floor physical therapist now.
Thank you for your post
jen
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Re: rectal pressure
hi there Jennifer
I think you have sent me a PM
there is a bit of a hiccup with the PM system and I can not read your message - Via my contact info, you should be able to send me an email
thanks
Gabes
I think you have sent me a PM
there is a bit of a hiccup with the PM system and I can not read your message - Via my contact info, you should be able to send me an email
thanks
Gabes
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Re: rectal pressure
Hi Gabes,
I just wondered when you get some spare time if you could send me the stage two meal plan, i can't seem to find it?
Thanks so much
Jen
I just wondered when you get some spare time if you could send me the stage two meal plan, i can't seem to find it?
Thanks so much
Jen
Re: rectal pressure
I have also experienced this and I have never quite got to the bottom of the cause 
, but for me it is definitely pelvic floor tension. The first time was about 7yrs ago after two traumatic miscarriages, one very late, which was just shy of being classed a stillbirth. A few months later I started experiencing rectal pain, which lasted 7mths. It was constant for months and then would ocassionally go away when I managed to relax and enjoy myself a bit. After being to the doctor many times, a rectal colon surgeon, pelvic floor physio etc, it finally started going away after working on my mental health via therapy as well as seeing an osteopath who practised cranial sacral osteopathy - that was a miracle and brought relief for up to a week on end.
Since then it has come and gone. It returned when I was pregnant and again post birth (particularly after my first where I also experienced prolapse and a torn muscle) then it returned last year when I was experiencing a lot of stress. It has even returned on and off thus year and more recently in the last few months since being diagnosed with LC, but to a much lesser degree, this year. In fact, just thinking about it and remembering the daily pain can make the area tense up. Stress is definitely a trigger for me and meditating daily, sleeping well and enough helps keep it at bay. When it flares, hot epsom salt baths help as well as pelvic floor relaxation - you can find some guided tracks online for this and it is very important to release the tension in the area, regardless of whether or not it is levator ani or something else.
I hope you find relief, it really is a pain in the butt and can impact greatly on one's life.
, but for me it is definitely pelvic floor tension. The first time was about 7yrs ago after two traumatic miscarriages, one very late, which was just shy of being classed a stillbirth. A few months later I started experiencing rectal pain, which lasted 7mths. It was constant for months and then would ocassionally go away when I managed to relax and enjoy myself a bit. After being to the doctor many times, a rectal colon surgeon, pelvic floor physio etc, it finally started going away after working on my mental health via therapy as well as seeing an osteopath who practised cranial sacral osteopathy - that was a miracle and brought relief for up to a week on end.Since then it has come and gone. It returned when I was pregnant and again post birth (particularly after my first where I also experienced prolapse and a torn muscle) then it returned last year when I was experiencing a lot of stress. It has even returned on and off thus year and more recently in the last few months since being diagnosed with LC, but to a much lesser degree, this year. In fact, just thinking about it and remembering the daily pain can make the area tense up. Stress is definitely a trigger for me and meditating daily, sleeping well and enough helps keep it at bay. When it flares, hot epsom salt baths help as well as pelvic floor relaxation - you can find some guided tracks online for this and it is very important to release the tension in the area, regardless of whether or not it is levator ani or something else.
I hope you find relief, it really is a pain in the butt
and can impact greatly on one's life.Re: rectal pressure
Hi AGM,
It is pudental neuralgia..............i have never experienced anything more painful and miserable in my life.
I haven't been able to sit for over a month.
Started pelvic floor physical therapy 3 weeks ago...........no relief yet, but i know i have a very long road ahead.
The pain is sheer agony at times, as you know.
I am type A personality, high strung, perfectionist, so all this relaxation, deep breathing, etc is all new to me.
My sleep has been disrupted for about two months now, i can't seem to get quality sleep, its very disturbing.
Thank you for the epsom salt bath suggestion, it seems nothing helps when it gets really bad. ill try this.
Thank you so much for chimming in, i sure appreciate any advise i can get.
Jen
It is pudental neuralgia..............i have never experienced anything more painful and miserable in my life.
I haven't been able to sit for over a month.
Started pelvic floor physical therapy 3 weeks ago...........no relief yet, but i know i have a very long road ahead.
The pain is sheer agony at times, as you know.
I am type A personality, high strung, perfectionist, so all this relaxation, deep breathing, etc is all new to me.
My sleep has been disrupted for about two months now, i can't seem to get quality sleep, its very disturbing.
Thank you for the epsom salt bath suggestion, it seems nothing helps when it gets really bad. ill try this.
Thank you so much for chimming in, i sure appreciate any advise i can get.
Jen