problems with evacuation

[Janeoffools]

This is embarassing.

Everytime I go to defecate, I don't seem to finish the job. I wipe and sometimes then I can go some more. Other times, I'll stand up, flush, and then have to sit right back down. Other times, I leave the bathroom and then have to go back in two or three minutes. This can happen up to 10 times an hour. I might go to the bathroom up to twenty times a day. not diarhhea. Even if the stools are liquid-y, I have to strain just to get them out. Oftentimes I have to strain to pass gas, too. Also, I have the most unbearable rectal pressure/pain. This pain/pressure sometimes happens AFTER I've gone, maybe because there's more to come, but it is only relieved by laying down. If I stand, I cannot bear it. Sitting relieves it somewhat, but laying down flat on my back for about fifteen minutes is about the only way to stand it.

When I do defecate, it feels as if the stool is moving backwards--like going down before going back up and out my anus.

Does this sound like anything to anyone? I feel as if I'm going crazy. I am fortunate in that my job requires a lot of walking but also I can sit when I want to do so---for me to stand still for more than three or four minutes when this is going on makes it unbearable. I don't know if I could work with this in any job that required any amount of standing.

It inhibits my cooking for my family--I take sitting breaks sometimes--and the whole thing is starting to interfere in living my life. The maddening thing besides the pain--which is bad enough--is that I don't know what's wrong.

[Lennox Hoyte, M.D.]

Sounds like 2 problems. One is having to do defecate too much, the other is cannot empty the bowels well. THe second problam may be related to a defect in the back wall of the vagina, where the rectum bulges into the vagina ( sometimes called a rectocele). Many times, a repair of the rectocele can be done surgically, and if done correctly, can sometimes correct this problem. Go to the society of gynecologic surgeons website (www.sgsonline.org) or the americal urogynecologic society website (www.augs.org), and put in your zip code to locate a member surgeon in your area. Then ask if they did a fellowship in urogynecology, and where. A 2 or 3 year fellowship beyond residency is customary. Get evaluated by a fellowship trained urogynecologist, and they should be able to help you with this problem. The other problem sounds like it could be related to stool trapping, creating that constant feeling like you need to empty your bowels. Your urogynecologist should be able to help you with this as well. Or it could be a problem with the bowels itself, like irritable bowel (unlikely).

Dr. Hoyte

[patty1113]

Hi , I ma so sorry that you are suffering like tiss. it sounded like what I was going through before I had rectocele repair surgey. I was using enemas, supositories, colace ( stool softners) and sometimes I coul not go out all day long untill I was cleared out. I had the surgery and it helped a lot but I just posted a quetion about the post op trouble that I am having...I cna wait forthat to be aswered ...I am freeking out! I not take 3 heaping teaspoons of fiber sure per day and 4 stool softeners (without stimulant in them) I drink "sunsweet PLUMSMART juice everyday 2 galsses and I go normal with aall this stuff plus the operation....that part is fixed that the Lord now I just have to fix the other part...you can read my post if you want to ...its about pain after erectocele repair surgery. if you need me email me:)