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!

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Profile picture for lylii @lylii

I don't want to raise unnecessary alarm, but sometimes ovarian cancer can have vague abdominal symptoms. I've always read that if you have unexplainable abdominal symptoms, the doctors should be sure to look at the ovaries. Probably not the issue, but never hurts to ask about it. Best to you!

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@lylii
Thanks @lylii! As stated in a previous post, I’ve had a hysterectomy done and at that time my ovaries were removed. I appreciate your suggestion though. Have a great evening! 😊

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Profile picture for susan4304 @susan4304

Please research RECTOCELE.
I was diagnosed with this pelvic floor disorder and our symptoms are very similar. The pressure is maddening. Stress definitely makes it worse.

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@susan4304
Hi @susan4304,
Thanks for your response to my post! It was much appreciated. I’m sorry that you have gone through a very similar situation, and yes stress does make it worse! I was dating a guy who was extremely insecure. He kept me so stressed that the pain and discomfort got considerably worse. I had to send him packing!! He knew the situation that I was going through, but didn’t seem to care. I figured that was partly the cause of my weight loss. Now that I’m alone I am less stressed, however the damage is done. The pain and pressure is worse and more constant. No one has mentioned a Rectocele before but I have read up on it. The symptoms are very similar to what I am experiencing. As I stated in my other responses, I am going to ask for a referral to see a GI or a Colorectal specialist. Hopefully they will find a diagnosis and a treatment that will help. Thanks again for your suggestion and concern. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening. 😊

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Profile picture for barbgreen0959 @barbgreen0959

@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!!

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@barbgreen0959
I hope you find relief from these relenting symptoms. I wish you well

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Profile picture for ellesea01 @ellesea01

It's good you're describing these symptoms in such a clear way. Thanks for doing that.
I can relate to the heaviness sensation. It's a feeling that once described seems to fall into an abyss.

Help is usually pelvic floor therapy. Especially if you're female. Guess what readers, it's not always helpful at all. In fact it can exacerbate your symptoms.

One good switch nowadays is that men are also receiving pelvic floor therapies. I'm wondering if they'll benefit from it more than a lot of woman do?

Feel for you. Let's keep seeking help. Appreciate your honesty. It's mostly not an easy subject to explain. Thanks again. Honestly in symptom descriptions needs a lot more attention.

Also different therapies are needed. Any ouches 'down there' affects the entire human. Hang in there.

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@ellesea01
Hi @ellesea01,
Thanks for your response to my post! It was very much appreciated. Thanks too, for noticing the way that I explained my situation. It is such an embarrassing topic, however if I want to get help for this I have to put it all out there! I know of any other way to explain it. I agree that Pelvic Floor Therapy does not help everyone! It has not helped me and I’m tired of doctors suggesting it! I feel like it’s more of a Colorectal issue than a Vaginal issue. Of course I could be wrong, but I know my body! The pressure started in my rectum and has moved to the vaginal area as well. Hopefully I will get some answers after I see the Colorectal or GI specialists. I also agree with your statement that “any ouches down there affects the entire human”. Thanks again and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your evening.

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Profile picture for creondave @creondave

A GI should run some basic tests. I have EPI (a pancreas disorder), take CREON, developed SIBO, and have similar issues, but I improved a great deal on what is called a Low FODMAP diet. The same issues come up, especially if I fly a long way, catch a small cold, stomach virus, forget to take my meds; the constipation ultimately leads to overflow issues. It's a nightmare when it happens, but it has gotten better.

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@creondave
Hi @creondave,
Thanks for your response to my post, it was very much appreciated! I’m sorry that you have had to experience this issue, especially the constipation and overflow part. I never know when it will happen so I sleep in Depends and wear a pad daily. It is quite embarrassing, especially when dealing with flatulence. I’m still working so I try to hold it in, but sometimes it slips out anyway. I try to move around a lot so I won’t be close to anyone when it happens. The smell is horrendous! I don’t know what’s causing that smell but I wish it would go away soon! 🤦🏽‍♀️ I’m glad that your issue has gotten better. Hopefully they will find a cure that will eradicate both our issues… Thanks again for your response, care and support! I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening! 😊

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Profile picture for barbgreen0959 @barbgreen0959

@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.

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@barbgreen0959
Just because ovarian cancer can have very vague, hard to diagnose abdominal symptoms. I'm glad you can disregard that! Best to you!

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Profile picture for Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor @cehunt57

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).

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@cehunt57
Hi @cehunt57,
Thanks for your response to my post, it was very much appreciated! Sounds like you’re going through several issues at the same time. I really hate to hear that and I pray that your doctors are able to find a cure or treatment that works for you. 🙏🏽 I don’t think anyone in my family has gone through what I’m going through. On my Dad’s side diabetes is more prevalent, and on my Mom’s side cancer is more prevalent. That’s what’s scaring me about what I’m going through. Hopefully it is not cancer and they will find a way to stop the pain and pressure feeling. The scariest thing about my issue is I have lost a considerable amount of weight to where my clothes don’t fit anymore. I try to eat a lot several times a day but now I’m at a standstill. I’m not losing or gaining. I try to stay positive and not think about cancer or anything that serious, however sometimes it creeps back into my head. Thanks again for your response and suggestions. Have a great rest of your evening!😊

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Profile picture for ameyc2 @ameyc2

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.

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@ameyc2
Hi @ameyc2,
Thanks for your response to my post, it was greatly appreciated! To respond to your question, I have had a colonoscopy done about 2 & 1/2 to 3 years ago and have to go back after 5 years because they found 4 polyps. I am getting a referral to see the GI doctor that performed the colonoscopy or a Colorectal Surgeon to see if I can get some clear answers. If I hear Pelvic Floor Therapy one more time I am going to scream! 😱 That didn’t work for me! That was the diagnosis that both Urogynecologists suggested. After trying it one time and the exercises didn’t help I wasn’t going to try it again. So hopefully I will get better answers from a GI or Colorectal specialist. 🤞🏽Thanks for your response and your suggestions, they are greatly appreciated!

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Profile picture for JVS @lacy2

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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@lacy2
Hi @lacy2,
Thanks for your suggestion! Yes, I have had a colonoscopy done about 2 & 1/2 to 3 years ago. They found 4 polyps that were benign. I have to go back after 5 years since the polyps were found. When I saw this doctor the pain and pressure was not as prevalent as it is now, it was only intermittent. I did mention my issues to the doctor, but I didn’t get a response. So I will go back to him or see a Colorectal Specialist. Thanks again @lacy2! Have a great night!😊

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I have diverticulosis and I started taking Irish Seamoss. My whole life has changed for the better and I now take 2 teaspoons a day. It can be purchased at Sprouts, Whole Foods and on line. I found it to be pretty miraculous. It can’t hurt you, it just makes me feel better.

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