Feels like I’m sitting on a ball and Fecal Incontinence!

Posted by barbgreen0959 @barbgreen0959, Jun 9 9:06pm

I have been dealing with this issue for about 3 to 4 years. It started with a feeling of a lot of pressure in my anal area, which has now moved to my vaginal area. My colonoscopy results were normal , however I did have 4 polyps, which were benign. I am still dealing with the pressure, which has gotten considerably worse! It is constant now and travels from my anal area to my vaginal area. Some mornings I wake up with feces in my underwear so I start wearing a pad every night. I now sleep in depends because I never know when it will happen. I am also dealing with bladder incontinence. I saw a Urogynecologist who suggested I try pelvic floor therapy. Needless to say it didn’t work. I saw this doctor because I thought my bladder had dropped. She said everything was fine so she referred me for therapy. My stomach is so bloated and I have lost weight over the past 4 to 5 years. My normal weight is around 145 to 150 lbs. I now weigh from 110 to 115 lbs. I look like a skeleton, to myself. I don’t know where else to turn. I am so tired of this pressure that I am at my wits end! I am either constipated or I’m experiencing diarrhea. I try to eat more so that I can gain weight, but it’s like my weight is at a standstill. Have anyone else experienced any of these symptoms? Or could someone suggest another specialist I should try? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Jun 11 12:53pm

The members here describe experiencing similar symptoms for a variety of reasons. Various tests and treatments have also been suggested. Here’s mine:
I have gastroparesis which is a neuropathy complication of diabetes. Basically food doesn’t pass from the stomach to the rest of the GI system; it sits there and rots. Initially it feels like constipation and like everything is clogged up until it eventually blows and is horrendous diarrhea. The test to diagnose is called a stomach emptying test. The treatment is small frequent snack like meals low in fiber.
I also have diverticulosis / diverticulitis that is little pouches lower down in the GI system / colon. Stool gets trapped in them causing constipation and when it finally evacuates it is hard little and marble or pebble sized. It is diagnosed by colonoscopy. The treatment for that is high fiber foods. In my case I think it is genetic. I had a parent and grandparent that both had that. It is an aggravation to have 2 different conditions at opposite ends of the GI system that respond best to very different treatments. My Dr. recommended that I experiment with small quantities of low, then high fiber foods to find out what works best for me. He also recommended a half dose (tablet) of Imodium daily to help deal with the unpredictable attacks of diarrhea.
The point is your symptoms could be caused by a number of things (maybe more than 1). Medical providers are necessary to order tests and recommend treatments. Your best bet might be your primary, an adult internal medicine doc or a gastroenterologist. You could present a list of the symptoms, time of occurrence and be ready to answer questions about your diet (types & quantities of food).

ameyc2 | @ameyc2 | Jun 11 1:24pm

I am so so sorry for your suffering. I know that feeling of pressure. I have it myself. It's awful. You feel like you want to go to the toilet. I have a suspicion that you may have bowel obstruction. Have you had a colonoscopy? And an endoscopy to get more information.
I learned that my sigmoid, which is a thicker part at the end of your bowel is angulated, which means it folds over on itself. I've also got Scare tissue around my intestines from surgeries that creates bowel obstructions for me. I don't know if you've had prior surgery?
I don't wanna make this any more confusing than it is, but I'm just giving you my own personal experience. I've been dealing with this for 10 years now I did have surgery once to cut away scar tissue and it helped a lot. I'm wondering if they need to go in and take a look, but first of all have your colonoscopy and endoscopy first keep pushing for this. You have to become your own research specialist. I wish you all the best of luck God bless you.

SeaBugg61 | @kcblevins61 | Jun 11 4:17pm

First off, I am so sorry you are going thought this. It is definitely a kick in the old integrity part of who you are to have an issue so personal that you cannot get answers too.

With my digestive issues there are times the pressure is so great in my bum that I have literally got an ice pack to help relieve the pain. I do not have hemorrhoids or anything else that would create the pressure, but while I was on a feeding tube the pressure so was bad that they changed me from a high fiber to a low fiber formula. That alone was a life changer. I have never done well with any kind of fiber despite dealing with constipation my whole life. When things improved the NP felt that gas was building up and forcing things into that area.
Not saying that is your issue, but I have learned at this point to try anything and expect nothing. I did tell my GI doctor about this and the fact that it made me feel like I was on my period, which is impossible as I had a hysterectomy 35 years ago. 🤦🏽‍♀️

I truly hope you find your answer.
Remember we are all different but choosing to share our adventures can help ourselves and others or at least guide them to a possible answer.
One of the things that has truly helped me is AI, I have a premium account on ChatGPT which someone else in the group suggested and it has helped me ask the hard questions to my care team in a way that I can understand.
My Urologist uses AI right in front of me, which I love. It means he is not afraid of getting updated information that could help me.

Take care and keep checking in with all of us.
Happy Summer!

cardigan | @cardigan | Jun 11 4:57pm

It sounds like a prolapse of some pelvic organs.The feeling that you are sitting on a ball maybe the result of the rectum lining or the rectum itself prolapsing.You need to get your doctor to refer you to an gastroenterologist or a colorectal surgeon.

cardigan | @cardigan | Jun 11 5:05pm

Barbgreen0959 I commented on your problem but directed it to the wrong person.Please see my comment about pelvic floor collapse.Sorry about that.

mimidrc | @mimidrc | Jun 12 7:35am

Hi All,
I’m just wondering if a doctor or physical therapist has considered or recommended a TENS unit for constipation. If so, has the TENS unit helped?

barbgreen0959 | @barbgreen0959 | Jun 14 1:01pm

In reply to @rashida "@barbgreen0959 perhaps a naturopath would be of some help …? Where do you live?" + (show)

@rashida Hi @rashida, thanks so much for your response, sorry about the late response. I live in Duncanville, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. I’ve never heard of a Naturopath, what do they specialize in? Just by the name I would assume they specialize in natural medicines. Please advise. Thanks again for your suggestion!

barbgreen0959 | @barbgreen0959 | Jun 14 1:15pm

In reply to @mimidrc "Hi All, I’m just wondering if a doctor or physical therapist has considered or recommended a..." + (show)

@mimidrc
Hello @mimidrc, thanks for your suggestion; sorry about the late response. To answer your question, no, no one has suggested a TENS unit. I am willing to try anything at this point! I am so tired of these symptoms, especially the pressure, which is constant now. They have sent me for an MRI and X-rays of the pelvic area, however they aren’t finding anything! 🤷🏽‍♀️ It’s getting worse, the feeling of sitting on a ball, and feels like it’s sitting on a nerve on the inside of my right leg. I’m at my wits end!! According to some of the suggestions to my post I’m going to make an appointment with the Gastroenterologist that performed my colonoscopy. Thanks again for your suggestion!!

barbgreen0959 | @barbgreen0959 | Jun 14 1:34pm

In reply to @cardigan "It sounds like a prolapse of some pelvic organs.The feeling that you are sitting on a..." + (show)

@cardigan
Hi @cardigan! Thanks for your response to my post. After I had the MRI of my pelvic area done, my doctor suggested I try Pelvic Floor Therapy. She didn’t see a prolapse of any organ, vaginal or rectal. It has to be something else because the therapy didn’t help! If anything it made the feeling worse. I am open to any suggestions at this point. Standing, sitting, or lying down does not alleviate the discomfort. I don’t know which way to turn!🤦🏽‍♀️ I will either try the Gastroenterologist or a Colorectal Specialist. I will get on that tomorrow. Thanks again for your suggestion!