1. < Digestive Health
Profile picture for barbgreen0959

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.

Profile picture for JVS
JVS | @lacy2 | Jun 15 7:42pm

....it is correct that Pelvic Floor Exercises are not for everybody and there is a lot of info on Internet if you do a search for the negatives.. depends if the area needs these exercises or complete opposite: relaxation. Can make things worse and really needs expert in this to determine which type is correct....

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for barbgreen0959
barbgreen0959 | @barbgreen0959 | Jun 15 8:03pm
In reply to @lisalucier "@barbgreen0959 - I "failed" pelvic floor therapy. I kept squeezing the wrong way, of course unintentionally...." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

@barbgreen0959 - I "failed" pelvic floor therapy. I kept squeezing the wrong way, of course unintentionally. So, the therapist eventually "dismissed" me. I felt pretty dejected, honestly.

In my case, I did have a prolapsed bladder and learned I had a rectocele. I had a somewhat major operation in 2012 that included a hysterectomy (left my ovaries) and repairs of all this.

I had bladder issues before my surgery and no bowel issues.

Sounds like my scenario is different than yours. Hoping that today you can secure an appointment with someone in gastroenterology or colorectal surgery.

Jump to this post

@lisalucier
Hi @lisalucier
Yea it does sound like we have different scenarios, but I’m happy that they were able to repair what was going on with you. That was very rude of your PT to dismiss you like that! You should’ve reported her or him. So do you feel better now? Did you experience the pressure feeling as well? I pray that one of the specialists will be able to help me with my issues. It’s been going on so long that I’ve forgotten how it feels to be normal. SMH!🤦🏽‍♀️ Have a great evening Lisa!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for barbgreen0959
barbgreen0959 | @barbgreen0959 | Jun 15 8:06pm
In reply to @lacy2 "....it is correct that Pelvic Floor Exercises are not for everybody and there is a lot..." + (show)
Profile picture for JVS @lacy2

....it is correct that Pelvic Floor Exercises are not for everybody and there is a lot of info on Internet if you do a search for the negatives.. depends if the area needs these exercises or complete opposite: relaxation. Can make things worse and really needs expert in this to determine which type is correct....

Jump to this post

@lacy2 you are so right! Pelvic Floor Therapy is not for everyone!! I wish someone would explain that to the doctors!!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for barbgreen0959
barbgreen0959 | @barbgreen0959 | Jun 15 8:25pm
In reply to @ameyc2 "@barbgreen0959 God give you strength and guide the doctors working with you to find the problems..." + (show)
Profile picture for ameyc2 @ameyc2

@barbgreen0959
God give you strength and guide the doctors working with you to find the problems you are suffering from. It's so frustrating especially when you're dealing with intestines and bowel. It's so complex we really don't know that much about how it all works and why it doesn't work and how to fix it when it doesn't work that's what I've learned over the years that I've found most discouraging. There's so much we don't know. Just keep believing. I'm pushing for answers constantly. Keep us posted on the outcome. Don't give up your on a journey as we all are that are dealing with these problems with our bowel and intestines God bless you. I also take ginger capsules 2000 mg. It's an anti-inflammatory and natural anti-inflammatory and just stay away from any foods that may irritate your stomach, your intestines. I just don't understand the pressure you're having where that's coming from. I know that feeling it's horrible like you need to go to the toilet and you can't I don't know if your bowel movements are regular. I have a long colon and intestines sometimes I have to take DULCOLAX I think it spelt it forces water to come out of your body into your intestines to help you go to the bathroom, but if going to the bathroom is not relieving that pressure that you're having I'm very puzzles as to what else it could be if it was a mass pushing down they would've seen it. God bless you and good luck and be diligent.🙏🏽

Jump to this post

Hi @ameyc2
Thanks for your support and encouragement. They are greatly appreciated! I agree that issues with the bowel is very complex and difficult to understand. I just need some relief! Can you imagine going through the pain and pressure daily? It is constant and I can’t get any relief. This issue is causing me to experience mental issues. I try not to go into a deep depression, but sometimes I can’t help it. I don’t know what it feels like to be normal. I didn’t get an appointment with a GI or Colorectal Specialist today but I definitely will tomorrow! Please pray that they will be able to find the problem and get me some relief 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Thanks!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator
Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Jun 15 9:11pm
In reply to @barbgreen0959 "@lisalucier Hi @lisalucier Yea it does sound like we have different scenarios, but I’m happy that..." + (show)
Profile picture for barbgreen0959 @barbgreen0959

@lisalucier
Hi @lisalucier
Yea it does sound like we have different scenarios, but I’m happy that they were able to repair what was going on with you. That was very rude of your PT to dismiss you like that! You should’ve reported her or him. So do you feel better now? Did you experience the pressure feeling as well? I pray that one of the specialists will be able to help me with my issues. It’s been going on so long that I’ve forgotten how it feels to be normal. SMH!🤦🏽‍♀️ Have a great evening Lisa!

Jump to this post

@barbgreen0959 - my pressure, feeling like I was sitting on a ball and walking/exercising with a ball between my legs is gone. I was able to urinate straight down, efficiently, for the first time in a long time. I no longer had an "obstruction" in the bedroom with my husband.

It was a long recovery, but I finally came back to my normal self, minus ball between my legs. I am so aware of my bladder's position through all of this that I know it's tipped down a bit since the surgery, but overall, it's held.

I hope they can help you get to the bottom of this. You deserve to live a life free of these problems.

REPLY
Profile picture for ameyc2
ameyc2 | @ameyc2 | Jun 15 9:58pm
In reply to @barbgreen0959 "Hi @ameyc2 Thanks for your support and encouragement. They are greatly appreciated! I agree that issues..." + (show)
Profile picture for barbgreen0959 @barbgreen0959

Hi @ameyc2
Thanks for your support and encouragement. They are greatly appreciated! I agree that issues with the bowel is very complex and difficult to understand. I just need some relief! Can you imagine going through the pain and pressure daily? It is constant and I can’t get any relief. This issue is causing me to experience mental issues. I try not to go into a deep depression, but sometimes I can’t help it. I don’t know what it feels like to be normal. I didn’t get an appointment with a GI or Colorectal Specialist today but I definitely will tomorrow! Please pray that they will be able to find the problem and get me some relief 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Thanks!

Jump to this post

@barbgreen0959
i'm so sorry I am praying for you. I know what it's like to suffer with this issue. How issues are very different but it changes my life completely. I have to add my life has been adjusted to accommodate going to the toilet, not going to the toilet throwing up daily, depending on what I eat, trying to figure out what I could eat what I should eat what I shouldn't eat feeling nauseous most of the time it's a nightmare. I'm so so sorry and you're so young. I feel so badly for you sweetheart. Please hang in there.🙏🏽

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for barbgreen0959
barbgreen0959 | @barbgreen0959 | Jun 15 11:28pm
In reply to @ameyc2 "@barbgreen0959 i'm so sorry I am praying for you. I know what it's like to suffer..." + (show)
Profile picture for ameyc2 @ameyc2

@barbgreen0959
i'm so sorry I am praying for you. I know what it's like to suffer with this issue. How issues are very different but it changes my life completely. I have to add my life has been adjusted to accommodate going to the toilet, not going to the toilet throwing up daily, depending on what I eat, trying to figure out what I could eat what I should eat what I shouldn't eat feeling nauseous most of the time it's a nightmare. I'm so so sorry and you're so young. I feel so badly for you sweetheart. Please hang in there.🙏🏽

Jump to this post

Hi @ameyc2
Thanks for your prayers and support. They are very much needed. This has been a long and stressful journey. Hopefully I will get a diagnosis and treatment real soon. I’m happy that you are able to deal with your issue a little better. I will pray for you as well. Have a great night!

REPLY
Profile picture for JVS
JVS | @lacy2 | Jun 16 2:54pm
In reply to @barbgreen0959 "@lacy2 you are so right! Pelvic Floor Therapy is not for everyone!! I wish someone would..." + (show)
Profile picture for barbgreen0959 @barbgreen0959

@lacy2 you are so right! Pelvic Floor Therapy is not for everyone!! I wish someone would explain that to the doctors!!

Jump to this post

@barbgreen0959 ...I stumbled across this information a year or so ago... when came home from an amazing pelvic floor ex. person and, due to my bladder issue, did them for 2 days and started my bladder bleeding again and I do realize I am an odd case.... (radiation damage from decades ago) but been a bit of a horror story. I suppose same as many treatments: no one size fits all... wishing you the best. J
Internet doesnt replace live persons but from reputable sites (like this one)...such a wealth of info!

REPLY
Profile picture for meganwynn
meganwynn | @meganwynn | Jun 17 10:20am

Could this be rectal prolapse? Your symptoms sound *very* familiar, especially the incontinence and the feeling like you are "sitting on a ball." Those are consistent with a prolapsed rectum, when the rectal tissue falls out of your body. This happens to me, despite the fact that I have never "strained" to move my bowels (a common cause) or had children.

As I understand it, it's a problem for a gastroenterologist (GI). The last time I brought it up with mine, he insisted it was hemorrhoids. But I've been treated for those and this keeps happening, usually at night after I eat and before I go to bed. (It can keep me up for hours.) I'll be going back to my GI with my careful observations, including the fecal incontinence--not a feature of hemorrhoids!

Good luck with whatever this is. The weight loss would not be accounted for with prolapsed rectum. I have severe thyroid issues that made me lose weight like that....all the way down to 93 pounds before someone caught it. I hope your doctor is testing you for this and anything else that might be at work.

REPLY
Profile picture for jane8123
jane8123 | @jane8123 | Jun 17 4:03pm

I have dyssynergia and tortuous colon. I cannot expel but they say it can work up to your situation. I am sorry. The Dr. said "at least you don't have cancer". Which is true but this is dibatating. Have you had biofeedback therapy?

REPLY
2 replies
Please sign in or register to post a reply.