Rectal Pain, help!

Hi all,

Very long story, short:

I have UC, and about six months ago I was hospitalized with C-Diff. One of the symptoms I dealt with during that debacle was rectal pain/pressure. It felt like there was something heavy sitting in my abdomen, putting pressure on my rectum, bladder, etc. This escalated to pain with BMs and a rectal ache that made it hard to sit or stand in certain positions. However, the pain is all internal. I was treated for the C-Diff and then went into remission for months.

During this time, I missed a dose of my Entyvio medication. Then about two and a half weeks ago, I started to have bad UC symptoms again. Except, I'm also having rectal pain/pressure, which I have NEVER experienced except with C-Diff. Stool test was negative for C-Diff, so my doctor put me on a short course of steroids. I'm taking 40 mg of prednisone a day, but will start to taper that soon. I also had another Entyvio infusion.

But this pain is very uncomfortable! I can't do anything, and I don't know how to treat it. The prednisone has helped, but it doesn't seem like it is really helping the inflammation at the end of my rectum at all. I'm not having so many stomach cramps, no more fever or nausea, and I have energy again--but my BMs are still full of blood, I'm in pain when passing BMs and after, and my rectum constantly feels sore. My doctor didn't think I would need rectal meds for some reason, and he wouldn't agree to give me any pain meds either. I'm having about 3-5 bms/day.

This coming week is really important to me for personal reasons...I want to spend time with a loved one before he moves away, but instead I can barely function. Does anyone have any insight? Is this normal for UC? Is something wrong? What can I try to help ease the pain? Anything would be greatly appreciated.

24/F
UC
Entyvio, every 8 weeks
currently taking 40mg pred/day

I think rectal meds would help, cortenema or even suppositories. Preparation h makes a cream with lidocaine in it. I haven’t used it but my last flare up had the worst rectal pain, I will never forget how horrible it was.

Thanks for the replies guys. I talked to my doctor briefly, then went to the ER last night (since it was Sunday and his office wasn't open.)

They did another CAT scan and a short rectal exam, told me that I didn't have any abscesses or fissures or hemorrhoids. I also don't have a history of those things, but I thought that I must have something going on to make my rectum hurt so badly. When it is at its worst the pain radiates through my whole pelvis, so my bladder, abdomen, and vagina all hurt and feel heavy with pressure.

They gave me an IV with zofran, IV steroids, fluids, and dilaudid, but they spoke to the GI on call (and I think my doctor as well, they were a bit unclear) and refused (again) to give me a prescription for any sort of pain medication, including tramadol--which I thought is fairly safe for IBD patients.

I begged them for rectal drugs, some sort of steroid enema or suppository, but the ER doc said the GI doc didn't think those would help me. I have no idea why, as I would assume rectal inflammation would be best helped by using rectal drugs...

They also said something about my doctor wanting me to take more doses of Entyvio, but the ER doctor didn't even know how to pronounce the name of that medication, so I really have no idea what is going on. I was sent home from the ER with nothing, and I've been calling my doctor all morning with no reply.

I'm just really upset with the whole situation. I don't think it makes sense to keep my in pain, waiting for long-term drugs to magically take effect when there are quicker solutions that could be added to the mix to (at least) help with my pain.

If you guys have any insights or suggestions, I'm open to them!

I agree about asking your OBGYN. I get terrible rectal AND pelvic pain when I get ovarian cysts. Guess that wouldn’t explain the blood with BM though. Hope you feel better soon.

Have you tried sulphur 30?