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Anyone have this happen pre-ostomy? Prolapse maybe? Help!

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Posted 9/1/2014 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. Not sure what is going on, tried to look up my symptoms online, but getting nowhere fast! I know this probably isn't the best forum for this post, but I thought maybe someone would have some idea of what might be going on! I also posted in IBS forum.

Background: Hx of chronic constipation as well as complete bowel incontinence, due to severe nerve damage from a mild case of Spina Bifida. For the past 10+ months, I generally only have a BM when I drink 1/2 gallon of bowel prep, the stuff used to prepare for colonoscopy, which I do every 2 weeks or so. GI doc's orders. (Of course, I occasionally have a "freak" day like last Wed, when for some unknown reason, I had 11 BMs in about 3 hours, 15+ total for the day) Also take multiple stool softeners, laxatives, Linzess, along with Zofran (constant nausea), just restarted a PPI (for gastritis and acid reflux), and lots of other meds for other medical issues. Waiting for GI doc to review test results from Mayo clinic and make final decision on colostomy surgery (w/ rectum removed also). (For anyone following my story, it is taking unusually long to get records from Mayo, cuz the doc there was trying to gather info on another possible treatment for me, something from half-way around the world, not FDA approved, but he wanted me to know all options!)

Anyway, yesterday I did my bi-weekly bowel purge, just a horrible thing, and kept feeling like there was more stool sort of stuck at the opening of the anus, but wouldn't come out. Well, eventually, looked in a mirror to see what was going on. There was no stool there, but basically tissue covering over the anal opening, on the inside of my body. (not sure if i'm describing it well at all, i apologize). Like nothing could've gotten out at all. There was no tissue protruding outside of the body. I had noticed this sort of thing happen several months ago, but to a much lesser degree! (It seemed then that anytime I pushed even a little bit, all I could see was tissue moving over toward the anal opening. Got the feeling that if I really strained, it would've just popped right out of me!)

Thinking maybe this is the start of a rectal prolapse? That's about the closest thing I could find online to explain what was going on. I should also mention that I have very little sensation in and around that area, so there was no pain.

I am going to message my GI doc's office later about this. Just wanted to post here to see if anyone knew what the heck I was talking about. I have always had a hard time describing things to doctors, so I don't even know if I'm making any sense. I am confused and frustrated. Any thoughts or advice/suggestions would be really appreciated!!
Posted 9/1/2014 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Really....it IS always something! I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this too. Also sorry that I don't really know much about rectal prolapse...but a quick visit to Dr. Google and I would say that would also be my best guest for what is happening to you. Though, it does sound like it's a small one, or in the very early stages...which is good, or at least better! Were you able to get in touch with your GI office at all? How are you feeling now?

I will email you later :) Hang in there!!
Posted 9/2/2014 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe a bad case of internal hemorrhoids pushing to become external... or prolapsing outside the anus. I know that can happen.. though I have no idea if that would look any different than prolapsing anus :(

I know your bum goes through a lot with these purges :( poor bum

*hugs*
Posted 9/2/2014 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies! I am going to message my doc in a few minutes about my "latest" issue. I feel bad for my docs....when the newer electronic charting system was developed and they decided to include the "message your doc" option, I'm sure they did not take patients like me into consideration, who have so many different issues, with new ones popping up all the time!! I bet they wish they were able to "block" me!! With the GI doc though, I sort of feel like (if he doesn't hate me by the next appt), he will at least be up to date on what's happening and maybe, just maybe, be more motivated to help move this process along a little faster! (I wouldn't keep messaging him if I could actually call and talk to someone on his team, not just the receptionist, or if I could get an appointment this century!)

I was thinking too that it's most likely the start of a prolapse. Just is very weird looking. And can actually be a bigger problem because of my lack of sensation. I don't have much of a sense of what's going on back there, and things can get bad without me even being aware of it. Like the skin irritation/breakdown situation. I feel no pain with it, and only knew it was a problem when the docs mentioned it! (They said the lack of sensation may actually be dangerous in that situation because it could cause ulcers that would start eating away thru the skin into some of the internal tissues and I wouldn't even realize it.) Somehow looking at my butt-hole in a mirror quite frequently (although it could be helpful) is a really weird thing that I usually forget to do, but when I remember, i still don't want to. But I suppose it would be better than getting ulcers or having parts hanging out of me and not realizing it.

I do not think it would be hemorrhoids because I was oh-so-lucky and had multiple rectal exams just a few weeks ago (at Mayo). Unless they can develop that quickly?? Even then, what I saw was very flat tissue.

I will message my doc soon (this morning) and let you know what he says.

Thanks for the input!!
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