Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Need help with severe Rectal Pain
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Need help with severe Rectal Pain
by lwarre, Jun 20, 2005 12:00AM
My mother 60 yrs old has had severe RECTAL PAIN for 2 years since a colon resection. She describes it as a burning fireball that is very severe all day from when she wakes up until sleep. She also has MS, abdominal surgery, and dystonia, but she can handle those and is under control. We have been to 5 GI's and one Pain doctor. They keep giving her narcotics which seem to be killing her. They have only tried one nerve block. She is about 85 lbs right now. She cant eat much and has trouble with bowel movement. Her stomach is like a small bowling ball. We live in Arkansas but will travel if someone somewhere could help. She has handled everything and still can...she is a fighter! I know there is an answer for this, I just dont know where. If someone could just help relieve her of this pain and get her off some of the medications. EndoDan, Darvoset, Cancer Medication, etc. These are the only relief so far, but we must find something else.
1) Please advise on how to help this pain?
2) Who to see, where to go, or what to try?
She has had colonoscopies, rectal inspections, and
1 nerve block. They say they cant find anything wrong.
Thank you!
1) Please advise on how to help this pain?
2) Who to see, where to go, or what to try?
She has had colonoscopies, rectal inspections, and
1 nerve block. They say they cant find anything wrong.
Thank you!
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jun 22, 2005 12:00AM
, Jun 22, 2005 12:00AM
Difficult to say without examination.
An anal fissure should be something that needs to be ruled out. This is normally described as a tearing rectal pain that is worsened with bowel movements.
Treatment can be considered with topical nitrates, oral calcium channel blockers, or injection of botulinum toxin. If these options are not helpful, there are surgical therapies available.
A referral to a colorectal surgeon should be considered to evaluate for this possibility.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
An anal fissure should be something that needs to be ruled out. This is normally described as a tearing rectal pain that is worsened with bowel movements.
Treatment can be considered with topical nitrates, oral calcium channel blockers, or injection of botulinum toxin. If these options are not helpful, there are surgical therapies available.
A referral to a colorectal surgeon should be considered to evaluate for this possibility.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Expert Activity
Related Expert Forums
Related Communities
Have you tried any OTC soothing cream??
How is her BM??have you ruled out yeast/bacterial infection??
please no Dannon yogurt,get the good expensive one from the health food store.
I bet you anything after all these surgeries and in and out of hospital,her flora has been altered and you said her abdomin is like a hard ball??
Proctalgia Fugax is a fleeting pain that doesn't last long, not a pain that is continuous from morning until night. . Also there are no tests, it's a diagnosis of exclusion.
I found a previous comment to go to www.tipna.org and read about it...It sounds identical. The burning pain coming on after the surgery makes complete sense that it is pudendal nerver issue. She has always said it was so fierce nothing but treating that nerve would work. The link above has given some hope and the advice from your has site really helped narrow it down. It is not Protactagia or whatever they have been telling her...you're right, I just dont think our local doctors know about PNE. Hopefully we can go to Mayo to have the 2 nerve blocks tried. Maybe someone else closer can do it. She just moved and will be seeing a new pain doctor soon. Again, Thanks for all your help!!