Levator syndrome

[Bam0315]

I have been trying to find some other people out on this forum with Levator syndrome and I am having trouble finding anything current. Is there anyone in this group that suffers with this. I have been having problems for several months. I have had Gastroparesis for several years and severe constipation. Then found out I have an enterocele and rectocele. Went to physical therapy for the Levator syndrome and ended up with several anal fissures. I just had botox injections done. But right now I am just miserable. Hot baths are about the only thing that help. The surgeon just prescribed valium to take along with the other ointment and meds I am taking. I cannot sit at all right now. I am just absoluetly miserable. I  just would love to find someone else to talk to about this. I look forward to hearing from someone.


This discussion is related to Levator Ani Syndrome.

[badass1977]

Bam, I have a very similar problem! I'm so tired of it. I can't believe after all the internet seaching I've done, I've finally found someone with similar symptoms. I have constant rectal pressure with an anal fissure. I would equate this to torture.

My history:

6 months post partum developed osteitis pubis (inflammation of the pubic symphysis proved by exray after my obgyn basically called me crazy).

Anal bleeding. Misdiagnosed by primary doc for years as hemmeroid so I just used anasol forever. Pregnancy/birth made it worse. I've suffered from bad bowel habits/constipation since I was young. Tried to correct it it in late 20's with success until.... postpartum. Misdiagnosed by obgyn and surgeon. Finally insisted on seeing a colorectal who said it was a fissure.

Used calcium channel blockers for the fissure to no avail. Included metamucil (gross) and hot baths seveal times a day. I also began internal pelvic floor therapy. Seemed to help somewhat, but found activity worsened it. March to June of 2010

Developed a thrombrosed hemmeroid and had it lanced in July of 2010. 10 days later after the wound healed, no more pressure. Absolute heaven. Still some minor problems with defecation.

Had the lateral internal sphincterectomy surgery in Aug. of 2010 because although the most irritating symptom of the pressure was gone, just wanted to have a completely painful bms forever so stupidly went throught with the surgery.

9 days later, while having a bm, the pressure and pain returned and has been with me ever since. TORTURE.

Resumed physio (8 hours away from my home and had to leave my husband and baby behind, horrible. On leave from work due to this with no travel assistance and ran out of insurance).

I could no longer tolerate the probe or digital massage so therapy discontinued. The colo-rectal surgeon wants to do the surgery again! I'm sooooooooo beyond scared of incontinence after cutting my sphincter twice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I got two second opinions from gynos. One wants to do a hysterectomy (thinks uterus is sitting on my bowel) and the other thinks it could be endometriosis as I have other symptoms of painful ovulation and periods. The latter one also suggested he could "restitich" my rectal muscles. So I go back to the CRS and he says a hysterectomy is perposterous - I agree - and the "restitching of rectal muscles he's never heard of. He also said I shouldn't go for the laprascopy because it will just make my pelvic floor dysfunction worse. I am SO LOST. How can no one have the same opinion at all?

I'm curious to know what your rectal pain feels like in detail BAM. Mine is a dull ache that is with me 24/7 with knife like pain upon some bm's alhough not as bad as it was prior to my first surgery. Sometimes the pressure in the rectal area spreads to the vaginal area. I also get pain in my symphysis pubis still that somtimes feels like a pulling sensation.

I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

[CalGal]

Bam, I've worked with individuals with this condition and it's not easy to solve. It is very depressing, but the valium may help a bit. It will not only work on your 'head' to some extent, but it will also relax the muscular sphincters in the rectal area, so it make make going to the bathroom easier in addition to relaxing some other muscles while you try to continue with the pelvic floor work. It will also 'loosen' the urinary muscles so be ready for that - you could leak a small bit. Not everyone does but it can happen.

Give this course of treatment a try. It may help quite a bit.

[Bam0315]

They are saying they need to get the pelvic floor supported more before doing any surgery to the entercele and rectocele because if they don't do that then the surgery would probably have to be done again. They seem to be very against doing surgery. The next step if the Valium and Ibuprofen don't work after a couple of weeks is possibly inserting Botox directly into the levator muscle. But how am I supposed to continue like this for that much longer in the much discomfort. My quality of life is just so down. I hate this. It is very depressing. Should I continue to wait it out til January 13th when I see the surgeon again or if not any better by next week, call them?

What is your experience with all of this? Do you know someone who has these issues?

I really appreciate the input you have been giving me.

[CalGal]

Bam, has the doc talked to you about revision of the rectocele? If that portion of the rectum has fallen very far into the area of the vagina, it may be almost impossible to have a bowel movement without some help of fingers inserted into the vagina to 'prop-up' the back wall and help move the fecal material along. Unfortunately, without that help, you may be using a heck of a lot of force to try to have that BM and that is only going to place more pressure on those fissures.

What has your doc or the PT said?

[Bam0315]

The dr first had me use nitroglycerin, now I am on Diltiazem ointment. The rectocele is fairly bad. The worst part is the anal fissures and most of all the Levator/Pelvic Floor dysfunction. Supposedly the therapist is very well trained in it. This is the only area of therapy she does. I appreciate you answering me. I had to go back to work today because I have been off so long and my job is not being very understandable and I can't afford to not work since I am a single mom with 2 kids. I have been miserable today. I have tried every kind of pillow and cushion and nothing helps.

[CalGal]

Bam, I don't have this problem, but have worked with people who do have the issue. What type of ointment are they giving you? How bad is the rectocele? Is the PT you're working with skilled in working with levator and pelvic floor issues? It's a very specialized field.