Anismus - Anyone Else? Treatment Options?

[killer_anismus]

I'm a 24 year old female suffering from anismus or "anal sphincter dyssynergia".  I'm looking for other people who share this digestive disorder.

What have you been thru and what are my options?

The only alternative to surgery I can find is biofeedback which isn't working very well for me.  I'm learning about botox injections and possibly acupuncture.

I started a Yahoo Group for people with anismus.  It is located at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/anismus/

If you have anismus, please join and help me.  Share your story and knowledge.

[Tss101]

So, how did they go?

[syf08678]

hey count me in. I am also a pelvic floor dysfunctioner, or non-relaxing pubrectalis muscle.
will go receive biofeedback this afternoon.

[Misery_loves_company]

So great to discover this thread- I was diagnosed with anismus about a year ago. Over the years of trying over the counter laxatives, I found that fiber was the least helpful, making me MORE bloated and uncomfortable. My doctor suggested I try to avoid gluten, which I initially discounted as a fad. After 10 more months of misery She again suggested, gently, I try to avoid gluten for a week to see if it helped. I finally gave in and tried it. To my amazement it helped with the terrible bloating and flatulence I was suffering from. It has not helped with the anismus, but the relief from not looking pregnant at the end of every day, and the pain and embarrassment of passing gas all evening is gone!
  As others have stated, I too feel that not only does my rectum not relax, but that the sphincter higher up in the colon is also "slammed shut".  I am eager to try a Botox injection, and will ask my doctor about it.
  If bloating, flatulence, and gas pains are also a huge part of your daily misery, try going gluten free. No wheat, rye, or barley products.
  

[Hammer506]

Botox is the best treatment out there right now. I'm going to go that route.

[amigomina]

Bulking fiber supplements increase the size of your stool, so for people with difficulty relaxing, controlling, or coordinating the various muscles involved in defection, a larger softer stool can actually be counter productive.

[CheClau]

My question was for ltb343, new here I thought the questions would go right after his comment.....
Cigarretes help me a little, have done 1 round of biofeedback and didn't help.  Dr. sent me to a different nurse to try again, starting it again in a month, hope it works this time.
Thanks to all for sharing what helps you, we can all try different things that may be working for others.  Wishful thinking, been living with this for 10 years and I'm tired of it.