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Feels like I’m sitting on a ball and Fecal Incontinence!
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!
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@kcblevins61
Hi @kcblevins61! Thank you for the response to my post, it is quite interesting and helpful. Dealing with this issue is definitely a kick in the old integrity! 💯 I have tried everything that was suggested to me by my specialist, however nothing has helped so I decided to see another Urogynecologist for a second opinion. She basically said the same thing, Pelvic Floor Therapy… What are they not getting? 🤷🏽♀️ that didn’t work for me!! My next step is to get a referral to a GI or Colorectal Specialist. All this past week I dealt with the constipation, I drank one top full of MiraLAX each morning with my coffee. Yesterday the diarrhea started. I go from one extreme to the other! I can never have a normal bowel movement. After the bowel movement I feel like I still need to go. That’s when the incontinence starts. Bowel leaks out overnight and sometimes during the day. I have to wear a pad or sleep in Depends every night. This has definitely put a strain on my sex life. Although I don’t have anyone at this time, but even if I wanted to date I couldn’t because of this issue. It is so embarrassing. 🤦🏽♀️ please don’t even speak about the flatulence! It smells so bad that I want to run away from myself…lol… Oh, I’ve also had a hysterectomy about 20 to 25 years ago. I noticed that a few responses mentioned my ovaries, but I have none, they were removed as well. I am 66 years of age, but will be 67 in September. I know there has got to be a cure or something that will help me tolerate this pressure and pain. I don’t want to live the rest of my life dealing with this. I have also tried an ice pack and one of those “donuts” that pregnant women use to relieve their hemorrhoids, or whatever. Nothing helps! At this point I feel like I’ve tried everything, but expect nothing! Thank you again for your suggestion and support! Have a great Sunday!😊
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2 Reactions@janeinnc
Hello @janeinnc, thanks for your response to my post! Sorry for the delay in responding. In response to your question, I have not had a CT scan, only an Xray and MRI of my pelvic area. Each time the tests didn’t show anything. I was so disappointed, because I want to feel normal again. I am going to get a referral from my PCP to see a GI or a Colorectal Specialist. I’m sure either one will be more helpful than my Urogynecologist was, “hopefully”! Thanks again for your response and advice. Next time I post hopefully I’ll have an answer. 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽
Hope am not "muddying the waters" but I have had IBS-D (Irritable Bowel Syndrom-Diarrhea) for years.... and the pain does "spread" - also some Fecal Incontiencne as you do: then take anti-diarrhea meds and its almost constipation. (As someone suggested Interent I got this info: "Yes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is frequently linked to pressure and pain in the pelvic and vaginal areas. Because the intestines, bladder, and reproductive organs share the same nerve pathways and muscles, discomfort in the gut is often felt as radiating pressure or referred pain elsewhere in the pelvis" But, sorry, not sure how this will help you - IBS does not show up on Colonoscopy which you have had: Best of luck - this is usually (as Ihave been told) not life-threatening but is certainly life-changing)!
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2 Reactions@artemis1886
Hi @artemis1886,
Thanks for responding to my post! In response to your question, I have not seen a GI specialist. However, that is my next step. Either a GI or a Colorectal Specialist. About the bloating issue, I am constantly bloated. Since losing all the weight my stomach is the largest part of my body. I can barely see my vaginal area because of my stomach sticking out so far. Yes I’ve heard that you can be constipated and have diarrhea at the same time. I’m either or. I can never have a normal bowel movement. I go from one extreme to the other. I currently am experiencing diarrhea, last week I was constipated. I’m just sick of all of it! Why can’t I get an answer that’s different from Pelvic Floor Therapy?🤷🏽♀️ Hopefully after I see a GI or Colorectal doctor I will get some answers!! 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽Thanks again for your response, it was greatly appreciated!
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1 Reaction@barbgreen0959 Oh sorry I thought as you had had a colonoscopy and polyps removed that you had seen a GI specialist.... spouse has had this done a lot done by Gastro but I think surgeonsdo too? Yes of course seeing a Specialist is the next step: let us know! J.
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1 Reaction@parrot53
Hi @parrot53,
Thanks for your response to my post, it is greatly appreciated. I have seen two Urogynecologists that suggested Pelvic Floor Therapy. I tried it after the first doctor referred me to Therapy. It did not work for me! It actually made the pressure worse so I stopped!! When the second doctor suggested it I told her that I started the Therapy but didn’t quite complete the treatment, she suggested that I complete the treatment. They are not seeing a prolapse of my pelvis or any other region on the CT scan and X-ray. So I’m done with UROGYNECOLOGY! Next step: GI or Colorectal Specialist. Thanks again for your response and advice!
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1 ReactionI’m sorry, I did see a GI specialist when I had the colonoscopy done, but that was all he did. I told him about my other issues with the pain and pressure, however they were not as bad or constant at that time. Now the symptoms are considerably worse! So I’m going to give his office a call to set up an appointment. Thanks for pointing that out. 😊
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1 Reaction@barbgreen0959
No need to apologize! Since you had an MRI, that will,be helpful,for GI,or colorectal physician to move forward on a diagnosis. GI issues are complex and often difficult to,diagnose. It’s actually great you already had a visit with urogynecology as that has ruled out issues in that area and will be helpful as you search for,help wih other specialists.
Again. Wishing you all the best.
Jane in NC
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3 Reactions@lylii
Hi @lylii
Thanks for the response to my post, it was greatly appreciated. I’ve had an MRI, but not a CT scan. When I see my GI doctor or a Colorectal specialist I will suggest that, if they don’t. I’ve had a hysterectomy done about 20 or 25 years ago and my ovaries were removed. So we can disregard that problem. However, I don’t see how the ovaries would fit into the issue that I’m having. 🤷🏽♀️ Please advise.
@janeinnc
Thanks so much for your support! I agree that GI issues are too complex to diagnose. But hopefully they will be able to diagnose mine. 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽