Chronic rectal tenesmus.

@logsdon No, I am still suffering from this. It’s been over 3 years. I have literally tried every potential treatment, with zero success. Diagnostic exams show nothing wrong. I have even had 14 months of neuroplastic pain management therapy, in case it’s “all in my head”.
I have tried every laxative prescription, but regardless of the outcome, I never have a sense of relief after I poop.
I wish I could offer something positive. I have been working with several specialists at a large university hospital. They have given me low-dose antidepressants, different laxatives, compounded suppositories, acupuncture, ketamine infusions, and psychotherapy.
Maybe something will work for your wife. If anything does work, please share it with the rest of us. Life, as I’ve always known it, doesn’t exist anymore.
But, I’m happy to share whatever information I’ve gleaned so far. Please feel free to ask.

Thanks for replying!
Did you also have constipation with this? Do you have a method that works for that?
Did they think it was neurological? (my wife has neurogenic bladder and does self catheterization, but cant get the GI to pursue that route (or maybe he doesn't know how to)

@logsdon I don’t really have constipation. I did have an anorectal manometry study. To test if it was neurogenic, they offered to do one that included a nerve conduction sensor, but I didn’t do it. Your wife might consider that, since her bladder is also affected. Maybe see a different GI doctor, or go to a teaching hospital, where they offer advanced testing.

My wife has a Constant feeling of pressure (even after a BM)- it feels like it's at the top of her rectum/bottom of her colon but no Dr has commented on it when she mentions it (they just focus on the constipation).. We think this is called tenesmus. Have any of you with the same/similar problem tried nerve block injections?

I had surgery July 7.
It was a colonectomy with 1 foot of my bowel removed that was diseased scarred and still presenting with “simmering“ diverticulitis even though I felt better before surgery.
I had had diverticulitis for two years, and apparently it never completely went away.
After surgery, I had what I called bowel spasms that kept me in the bathroom every 15 minutes and then moved to every 30 minutes. I finally called the doctors on call office on the weekend and asked about disyclomine that helps with cramping for IBS.
After taking that once it calmed down the bowel spasms and the next day, my bowels began to work in a minimum but significant way under the circumstances.
My bowels were worn out from the spasms as much as I was!
Each time there was a small amount of phlegm or a very small stool so I could not ignore it. I also started bleeding a week after getting out of the hospital in that lasted for two weeks.
I’m still recovering of course. I’m 76 years old so it might be taking me longer but at least I’m seeing progress forward.
Another suspicion of mine is ice cream. I drink lactose free milk, but I was eating a small amount of Häagen-Dazs ice cream at night and then I read that dairy is something that you should stay away from after a colon resection. At least initially. Wondering about dairy intolerance causing some of the problems.
One woman in the bowel resection support said that she can no longer eat cherries so maybe everyone’s different in what is going to aggravate the situation.

@nancyclare - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As you mentioned tenesmus, I moved your post here so you could chat with others:

- Chronic rectal tenesmus https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-rectal-tenesmus/

Do you have questions you'd like answered about tenesmus or related symptoms you are experiencing?

I just learned of the term tenesmus reading here. I am a seventy six year old woman treated for hemorrhoids through the banding process and doctor doesn’t see anymore hemorrhoids but the rectal pressure which was the reason for seeking treatment remains ugh!

Not tied to nerve block injections but twenty five years ago after months of various antibiotics for bladder pressure diagnosed as a UTI and a negative cystoscopy I sought out a consultation with a uro-gynecologist who immediately upon examination diagnosed vaginal pelvic floor dysfunction. Received treatments from a specialized physical therapist and it never came back.

Thinking this could be rectal floor dysfunction and hopefully nothing more sinister. Perhaps tenesmus and pelvic floor dysfunction are the same.