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Anal Manometry Testing

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Posted 11/25/2007 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Who's had it?

My surgeon wants me to have it to decide whether or not I'm a candidate for a reversal. He doesn't want to do the reversal, without the testing first, and then have me be completely incontinent and essentially toilet ridden. I've spent most of my life being poked and prodded and I was hoping after my colectomy I would have no more testing. I'm quite stressed over thinking about this and have been delaying doing it.

Can anyone offer advice, personal experience? I'm a wreck thinking about it!

Posted 11/26/2007 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
My surgeon scheduled this test for me right after my first consult with him to see if I was a candidate for a j-pouch and ultimately for a reversal. They did 3 other tests along with this one so I'm not sure which one it was, but bascially it was done to measure the pressures of the sphyincter muscles and test the abilitiy of sensation in that area. To be honest, it was very uncomfortable and, at the time, humiliating, but now that I've been through so much more, I think I'm past the humiliation of it. Mostly, the worst part was when they used a catheter or something to "blow air" into the rectum to see how much pressure you can stand. A normal rectum holds between 90 and 180 (cc's?). Mine held 30 - less than a third of the lowest part of normal. But that was because I had a very damaged rectum. Turned out that my sphyincter muscles were working well making me a good candidate for the reversal, but they had to remove most of my rectum along with my colon, leaving just enough to attach the j-pouch. It's definitely an important test though if you're considering reversal. It only took an hour or so to go through all the tests and then I went to work afterwards (but wished I hadn't cuz I felt "violated" and just wanted to go home and shower). It's uncomfortable, but not really painful. I don't know if this helped.
Posted 11/27/2007 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Please don't worry about feeling violated. It seemed like it at the time because, quite frankly, it was the first kind of test like it that I'd ever had while awake (before that were 1/2 dozen colonoscopies in 3 years' time). You've been through so much to this point that this is really "just another test."

I'm with you 1000% about being so done with these types of situations. I just want all the messing around with my most personal, private parts to just stop! I have to go for another test next week - a Pouchagram. Sounds like they're sending a telegram to my j-pouch! -lol Something to do with an enema with dye into my pouch to see how it's holding up after 6 weeks. I'm as excited as you are about the Anal Manometry. Yuck! Oops - sorry, I'm digressing to my own woes....

It sounds like you're having all the same tests that I had. There were 2 very nice nurses in the room with me who conducted most of the tests. They totally made me feel at ease and not like a freak. It's all in a day's work for them. They're very good at what they do. The doctor came in for the ultrasound - which was by far the easiest of the tests. Then he left and the nurses finished up. I think it was one of them who did the finger thingy. I think the only reason the air balloony thing was the worst for me was because my rectum was such a wreck. Even the nurses were surprised at the minimal capacity that my rectum could (or couldn't) hold. I was having so many bouts of explosive, painful, uncontrollable diarrhea (10-14x per day), it just scarred my rectum and colon to the point of no return. It probably won't be as uncomfortable for you. And the nurses stop the test immediately when you give the signal. They really were great. After the tests, I used the bathroom (for a change) and then got into the elevator. One of the nurses was getting in on her way to lunch. Can you imagine doing that stuff and then going to lunch??

As for the drinks - maybe not before, but definitely after!!

When are you supposed to go have these done?
Posted 11/27/2007 2:24 AM (GMT 0)

This test is very important so try to bite the bullet and have it done!  If they find a weakenend sphincter it can be addressed PRIOR to your reversal which will make your recovery more enjoyable.  I had it done after surgery as I was incontinent.  Believe me, after what I had been through with having unrelenting chronic bloody diarrhea, this test was a walk in the park.  Just remember, your doctor studied colo-rectal surgery, it's not as if he is grossed out by what he does!  The other thing to remember that after your reversal you will only have to have your butt looked at once per year!  And no more colonoscopies, no more medications, and no more prep treatments.  I have had my pouch for 7 years and promise you this will get better.

Sue

Posted 11/27/2007 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
I have had several anal manometry tests and I have to say, this is one of the easier tests I have had to have done. I would take this test over a barium enema anyday...LOL. My muscles work a little too well..way to tight! I told my Dr that my anus is an exit! Of course it is tight, what did he expect? However, my inner rectal walls are not coordinated and they actually work against each other rather than other in order to help my stools to pass through the rectum and out the anus. So, a reversal is only an option for me if I can figure out how to get my muscles to work. Anyone know if some booty weights I can try lifting? LOL j/k
Posted 1/8/2008 11:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Well i got my appt for my anal manometry test! i am having it done on fri, i have to go to Glasgow Royal Infirmary hospital for it as the three nearest me don't have anyone qualified to do it!! How bad is that? I spoke to the sister of the clinic and she said they are snowed under with referrals from the hospitals in my area, i think this is so sad, the state the place is in.

Well i am not looking forward to having it but needs must, i'll post after it to let you all know how it goes, wish me luck :{

Gillian x
Posted 1/11/2008 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ash,

Just a quick post, well went for my tests and the nurse was lovely, the test was in 3 stages, firstly she tested my nerves using a very thin probe and i had to squeeze/relax a good few times, she did this test twice.
Then the 2 one she inserted a urinary catheter into my back passage and filled the balloon slowly with water, i had to tell her when i felt the urge that i couldn't hold onto it any longer. This was testing my sensation.
Lastly was the hardest one for me, she put on special gloves that had sensors on them and she inserted her finger into my back passage, it was as if she was sweeping the walls, i truthfully can't remember what this one was for but it was the worst one, boy am glad it's done!
Now i have to wait until my surgeon gets the results to see how i done, although the nurse did tell me my nerves were normal and so was my sensation, but my sphincter muscles still have a defect, so i think it's down to my surgeon to weigh up the pros and cons.

Hope this helps with your initial question for this thread,

Gillian x
Posted 1/11/2008 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Ps.

There was just me and one nurse in the room and it lasted just under an hour for all 3 tests, then i travelled home on the train with my mum.

I did have a sore back after it for a while and i have had some bleeding although not much and his was to be expected.

Gill x
Posted 1/13/2008 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Ash,
Good luck with your testing. It's too bad you have to be awake for them. I never minded the umpteen colonoscopies I had to have over the years, because they would knock me out, violate me, and wake me up when it was over!!
Posted 1/13/2008 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Ash,

I also wanted to wish you good luck with your tests. I know these things are so humiliating. But I was in so much pain it made the humiliation seem less. I just wanted to get the surgery because I knew after trying all the meds that the surgery was my last hope. Being almost three months after surgery it has been a success I'm glad to report :)
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