PROCTALGIA FUGAX FOR A WHOLE HOUR NOW

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this.  You should call your doctor and let them know what is going on.  We are not doctors here.  You say you "think" this is what is going on.  You really need to be sure and not assume anything.  

I did delete your first post on this subject because that is duplicate posting and is against forum rules. 

I hope you feel better soon.  

Sherrine 

I'm curious what you mean by "have had ulcerative colitis in the past." UC is a chronic disease that cannot be cured, except if you've had a colectomy. Do you perhaps have a j-pouch?

my mistake- i didnt have ulcerative colitis- i had "colitis" so just the inflammation of the intestine part. and i have ibs. but i have never had pain like this (which i am so sure is PF- all the symptoms are there)

got the appointment- just wondered if it was unheard of to have a PF attack for such a long time?

I have suffered from Proctalgia Fugax for about 35 years.
I am stricken with it about 10 times per year at most anytime day or night and for no apparent reason.
The pain can get so bad I could almost pass out if not dealt with.
The only way I've found to deal with it is by sitting with my knees up and my arms wrapped around my knees. Do not lean back against the wall. I then must meditate and visualize the pain dissipating down through my thighs, calves, and then to my feet from where it dissipates out my body. This may sound strange but it is the only way for me to elminate the pain. If I don't meditate in this manner, the pain will remain indefinitely. I think the longest I had to deal with it was about an hour. I have become very adept at meditating/visualizing the pain away and can usually do so now within minutes if I am left undistrubed. My biggest fear is being hit with the pain when in a public situation from which I cant escape. I recently experieinced it when in line for a chairlift while skiing. I couldn't get out of line fast enough and ended up riding the lift to the top of the mountain. I had to endure the pain for the ten minute ride before I could get off, strip off my skis and sit in the snow for about 20 minutes while my son waited for dad to do his ZEN like thing. This meditation is the only thing that will make the pain go away.
Give it a a try. Good luck

I have suffered from these for about 10 years. the pain is so bad i tried everything and though it might seem wierd, if you had the pain i did you will try it. Two things work everytime. I take hot water from the spigot into a fleet enama disposable.. pain stops within 15 seconds of getting heat right to the spot. CAUTION you must determine how hot your water is ... im sure you could hurt yourself if your water is scalding... Another is the rubber butt plug you might get at an adult store. Heat for 12 to 15 seconds in micro. AGAIN be careful and test with your hand ... But guaranteed any way you can get heat right to the spont will STOP the spasm immediately. several times it has taken two times but Always works!

thanks folks - I have been suffering with this for years and episodes are 4-6 times a year. It is scary to have a pain that wakes you up and makes you crazy desperate for some relief. I had an episode 2 nights ago and had to seek some info here. It's a little comforting to know this is not some weird thing that is an early sign of something more serious. (I hope not - I have not read that yet ) Two nights ago was the worst I ever had. I came very close to passing out. My peripheral vision began to close in on me and I quickly laid down. Had I not done that, I think I would have hit the bathroom floor. My God, just thinking about this pain is awful. It is so bad it basically takes over your conscious thought. I often feel like I want to take a BM but found that it may make it worse if you push hard. That is what I did last night. (sorry about the graphic nature of the discussion - we are all adults here and we can relate)

Anyway- the only thing that has helped me get through it is knowing I'll get through it. The breathing techniques my wife learned years ago in Lamaze classes is something I employ. It calms me down and I wait it out knowing that it will subside. (mind over matter basically) If some other folks could chime in here with their situations (peronal and otherwise) we all may be able to arrive at some things that exacerbate this dibillitating condition. I'll start here - 1) I tend to be a little under stress; not all of the time, but when I am , it's intense. I think the episodes sometimes are around these stressful times. 2) I don't know for sure, its just a guess but everytime my wife makes one of her special Chinese dishes that use red-chili peppers, I have an episode; it may well be a coincidence, but I have traced it to my early dinner on 2 occassions. 3) my dad has had this for years too - genes? No science to any of this.

My final advice is to relax - I don't think we are going to die over this - that should take the load off the mind and then when you do get an episode - breathe.......deep breaths, slow release through the nose......... and know its going to be over soon.

Love to hear from others.

Post Edited (bg52) : 5/23/2010 11:30:04 AM (GMT-6)

I would be careful with the "5 ibuprofen" especially if you also have IBS.

G'day,

I have been suffering this debilitating illness for some 11 years now and, thankfully, it strikes at infrequent intervals. When it does strike, it is 'hell'.
I would not wish this pain on my worst enemy.
My Doctor prescribed a Salbutamol Sulphate Inhaler, suggesting I use it whenever the pain hit me.
I'm not saying this will work for everyone, but it certainly helped me. I don't know how it works, but I am so thankful that it does.
In all the things that have happened to me over the years, there is nothing to compare with the pain of this insidious affliction.
I wish anyone who suffers this a safe and speedy form of comfortable pain relief.
Hang in there,
ASR

I've had PF for 30 years. Usually for 20 - 60 minutes.  I used to take 3 tylenol right when it hit, but now it usually is gone in 20 minutes, so I figure why bother. 

But here's my solution.  The only time it has NOT happened at night was during a soccer game (I was playing).  Which got me to thinking.  It's a butt cramp.  What else causes cramps?  Dehydration, right?  I can be almost guaranteed to get PF during the night if I am dehydrated (drank more than my usual coffee or alcohol, and not enough water).  Try it!  Try drinking more water and see if you get it less frequently, or if you notice the PF might be from being dehydrated. 

I've read that this gets less painful as you get older, and I must say, while it's still painful, I no longer writhe on the floor. 

I have NEVER seen dehydration suggested, which is why I wanted to share.  It makes a lot of sense.  I avoid anything that might dehydrate me (hot tub, excess coffee, etc. . .), and try to drink more water. 

I've had levator ani / proctalgia fugax for 10 years. The pain comes usually while asleep and is excruciating. I have gone into mild shock and also passed out once. The problem with taking any kind of pill is that by the time the pill starts to work, the pain has subsided. My doctor was very understanding and prescribed a nasal inhaler of stadol, an opiate that kicks in in 12 minutes and immediatly ends the episode. The downside is you are then drugged for the next 2 or 3 hours which is not all that bad unless you have to drive or work or something like that.You can get some relief of the onset pain by getting on your feet and walking around. This syndrome is horrible and I feel for anyone who is experiencing the pain. My symptoms before stadol lasted anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hour. I believe that stress is a factor in these episodes. good luck!

Krumsmum, i often felt that this was just a woman thing since it often happened around my menstrual cycle or hormonal but once i came here that all went out the window since so many men go through this too. I will try your idea though the next time since i do get it at least once a month.