Posted 12/10/2011 1:52 PM (GMT -7)
Hello I'm a sufferer of a weak anus.
A little background: Held bowel movements as a child from 1st grade up to about 7th grade. Stopped doing that through high school, was involved in sports every year. After I graduated, went through a period of change: was less active, frequency of meals dropped to once a day, even then I only ate fast food. Caused alot of gas and I held it in. Though i was passing stool when ever I needed, I found that I was not completely emptying. Did not see a doctor, hope it would clear up on its own. Continued to hold gas, the feeling of not completely emptying worsened, still did not see a doctor. Was about 1998, was 18 then, fast forward,...
I'm 32 now, and this pass summer, I went to see a doctor who specialized in the colon region. Had a Defecography. Watched as I passed barium(took like a whole 10 seconds), up until the last 3 inches, then complete stop. Doctor told me to push as hard as I can. I bared down, but the barium just sat there. I could see the muscles just above contract. Couldn't move it, did later that day but not all, and again a little barium in a bowel movement a day later.
Was sent for therapy, which I did increase my anal strength, also have become very aware when I need to my a BM, its subtle, not distinctive like when I was a young boy. But the problem I have continued to have, even after the months(5) I've been on the kegel exercises,...
I pass gas unknowingly, sometimes just before I get the need to make a BM, but not all the time. After a BM, I get leakage. If I have a BM before bed, I leak overnight, even if I have a BM during the day, upon waking I check before I getting into the shower. I still have trouble passing a bowel completely, that hasn't change even after the doctor and therapy visit. I know that contributes to the leakage. My clean up isn't as messy, now that I found out my anus wasn't closing entirely. It takes a lot of strength to close, but I know I'm steadily getting better at it.
I do feel better about the help from the doctor, I haven't been constipated yet, since I realized the uncomfortable feeling throughout the day and after a bowel movement is just more stool. I wait, then pass what I can later.
So what I'm asking, are there any medical options I can pursue that can help with the not being able to evacuate completely, without resorting to laxatives? Possibly
I ask you all since the last thing my doctor told me was to "come back when it gets worse". My problem with it right now is it causes me to smell bad, because of the trapped fecal matter, I can presume. I work a full day and go to college. My reputation is terrible in this small town I'm in. I don't think I will be able to serenade anybody with my condition.
I'm desperate :(