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Anyone know about prolapse?

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Pamela Neckpain
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2008
Posts : 1821
Posted 12/19/2008 8:48 PM (GMT -6)
I used to have IBS (D) really bad. Kept me housebound for 3 years.
I'm over that now. I kinda have IBS (C) Actually I think it's prolapse.
Anyone know about that?
Pamela
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Sarita
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2005
Posts : 2486
Posted 12/19/2008 11:09 PM (GMT -6)
You would know if you had rectal prolapse - your intestines would be coming out of your rectum. Hemorrhoids, on the other hand, are very common, especially in people who are chronically constipated...
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Pamela Neckpain
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2008
Posts : 1821
Posted 12/19/2008 11:14 PM (GMT -6)
Hmmmmmmm? It's not Hemorrhoids. Something is wrong. I will go for a colonoscopy
in a couple of months.
Maybe I just need more water. Don't know.
Thank you, Sarita. I tried to e-mail you but could not.
Pamela
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Marsky
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2007
Posts : 1956
Posted 12/20/2008 9:38 AM (GMT -6)
I know about uterine prolapse. My uterus is dropped. Haven't had a pap in a long time and I need one. I know my GYN will tell me it's lower than it was the last time he examined me. I do give that entire area of my body a daily workout. My GYN is the doc who said I must be on a stool softener. He doesn't want me straining to go. Although I've never really struggled with C, since I experience multiple bm's each day (12, 15 sometimes 20 but each one, a very small amount, picture rabbit stool!). He said I just want the stool to easily exit my body but not be D either. I have tried many approaches to what he suggests and the only one that does make my stool consistent, easily passed is Colace (50 mg, a pediatric dose amount).

But if I were to do a personal digital exam (and I have, believe you me I have), I do feel my cervix. It is low sometimes. Lower than it should be.

I noticed my cervix being lower after I delivered my second baby, 18 years ago. I couldn't wear tampons anymore either (they would slide down).

So when I had my sigmoid removed and began this daily bm "fun", I knew I was tweaking with this uterine prolapse. The two (colon, sigmoid, vagina) are really side by side for women (duh!) and separated by only a thin wall of membrane (so I'm told by my GYN).

Now if my GYN had his way and we had great insurance again (that's history), he would want me to have a hysterectomy. He claims my bm woes would be better. Not go away or return to a lower count but I wouldn't have that pressure of my cervix being lower now too.

All I know is I am avoiding ANY surgery! First off, we can't afford it and second, I've had two very, very painful surgeries, no thanks I say.

Now there is something you can do with exercise - I'm sure you're aware of Kegels. Do those but also do those for the rectal area. I was suggested to contract and retract my rectal area right after my colostomy takedown. That anal muscle reflex is less than it should be for me. But the exercises do help.

And finally, this may sound odd but if I rest with my feet higher than my head, for example on the couch, the pressure is off this entire area of my body.

I was told men don't have all these struggles like women do. Sure wish the two areas were not so close together!

Can you ask that your colonoscopy be moved up? I think I'd want an exam to make sure things are as they should be down there.

I hope you find some relief soon.

Mary
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Pamela Neckpain
Veteran Member
Joined : May 2008
Posts : 1821
Posted 12/20/2008 10:32 PM (GMT -6)
Yes, Mary ...
Thank you very much.
Pamela (kinda scared)
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Marsky
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2007
Posts : 1956
Posted 12/21/2008 7:25 AM (GMT -6)
Pamela - don't be, just make an appointment! Even just for a digital exam (where you'll probably need to do an enema first). From there your Gastro can schedule what needs to be done (Flex-sig or colonoscopy, if it isn't already scheduled). If nothing else, he would probably move up the colonoscopy.
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redee2moov
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2008
Posts : 68
Posted 12/24/2008 6:12 PM (GMT -6)

Hello Pamela and Mary

I had raised this question twice on this site and you were the only 2 that responded. I figure, as was the case for me, that many people may be suffering from prolapse, but think they are dealing with hemorhoids.

I just had a visual exam done, and it was confirmed that I have prolaspe on almost 1/2 of my rectum and hemorhoids on about 1/4. It sounds terrible, and it is something that must be addressed, but I have had the condition for about 12 years-plus, so I am not overly concerned for the short term. At its worse I can have a protrusion the size of 1 to 1 1/2 golf balls. Not pretty or comfortable.

If you Google "rectal prolaspe" as I did, you'll discover plenty of info. The basics are that hemorhoids are a swelling of tissue, while prolapse is tissue that holds the rectal wall (and the lower part or the colon) to the surrounding muscle tears away, so what should be inside comes outside.

Some of the biggest concerns with this are incontinence due to decreasing ability to "close things up" (especially if you struggle with lots of diarhea). For those with constipation, a prolapsed rectum (even if at the time it is not prolapsed) can interfere with the "urge" sensation to move your bowel (speaking from experience here). This can increase difficulty for those suffering with chronic constipation.

Inconvenient discomfort is probably the worst initial effect. Times when you may have a full colon, or urinay bladder can cause the rectum to prolapse at inconvenient times, like a nice stroll in the park or during yoga class (again, experience).

Another concern is increasing the prolapse through too much pressure during BM. Aside from dietary changes to minimize constipation, Yoga has helped me to find better ways  to assist elimination with less pressure. I try to minimize how long I sit, with the prolapse. Also very dry stool has caused fissures on a couple occasions over the dozen years I have had it.

You can manage it until you decide what approach to take to remedy it. I lubricate with a Calendula cream before and after BM. The after is to assist putting the prolapse back (if this is difficult you may need to be on your knees with head down to let gravity assist). Taking time to rest, lying on your stomach helps to settle the swelling and under real bad conditions, use an ice pack to help shrink thing. Walking or working immediately after doesn't help.

There are surgical repairs, which ultimately I may need to use, but my first concern is remedying my constipation so I don't destroy any benefit gained by surgery.

I have made tremendous progress with this, even reviving my "urge" which has been pretty non-existant for years. Also in the short run I am using some natural remedys to see what I can do for the prolapse without surgery. This will be a lengthy process, but since I know now what I am dealing with and manage it without increasing it, I am comfortable with taking the time.

Hope this helps abit.

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Dagger
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 1522
Posted 12/24/2008 8:14 PM (GMT -6)
You can have a rectal prolapse without anything coming out. It's kind of like baggy pantyhose around your ankles except it's your colon kind of bagging above your anus but still inside. If it's discovered early, kegals can sometimes help.

Like the other posters wrote, keep your stools soft. D is as bad as C due to the strain. Make an appointment to get it checked out soon just so you know.

Good luck!
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