Rectocele Symptoms?

Submitted by mamamia on November 20, 2012 - 11:24am
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In just two weeks my baby will turn 1 year. Approximately 4 months postpartum I experienced a significant amount of abdominal discomfort, vaginal heaviness and eventually intermittent problems emptying my bladder. A Pelvic Floor PT diagnosed me with a mild cyctocele and moderate rectocele I have practiced proper posture, worked with the physiotherapist, have recently weaned my baby and over time I have found that most of the issues that I was having related to weak vaginal vault have improved. YAY!

I am experiencing a lot of rectal discomfort these days, in fact really getting much worse over the past few months. I went from feeling some heaviness around my anus, to having this odd nagging, tugging feeling in my rectum and now I feel pressure all day long on my anus and it feels as though I there is something, like stool low in my rectum at all times. If I feel with my finger, I feel a ton of pressure on my anus and the entry is extremely tight. So far no bleeding or pain and I have kept my stool very soft for months to avoid straining. I am curious if these symptoms could be the rectocele or should I be concerned about additional issues with my rectum and bowel?

I thought I was lucky to finally get in to see the colo-rectal surgeon, I was not at all interested in surgery but my GP felt it was outside of her area of expertise and wanted someone with expertise in the field to check things out. Without even looking he was certain it was 'just hemorrhoids'. During my exam he said 'hmm that's weird' and proceeded to tell me that he had found a pocket in the muscle of the rectum and said he had never seen that in someone my age (35). He then told me it was probably what was bugging me and there was nothing he could do to help me. He suggested that if I started to bleed or have severe pain that I should call the office back to book a colonoscopy (which has a one year wait at this time).

What I am hoping at this point is that someone might be able to shed some light on how my symptoms line up with a rectocele or are there signs here that I should pursue additional options for diagnosis? I find it quite frustrating how uninterested my doctors are to investigate.

Forum:

Surviving60

November 20, 2012 - 11:36am

From my perspective this is a "teacher" question, so I have no advice of my own. But I put the word "pocket" into the search box up above, and came up with a lot of hits. So, do some research here until some other answerers come along. - Surviving

mamamia

November 20, 2012 - 12:08pm

There is a ton of content related to pocket, thank you for the suggestion! After reading more I am curious if in addition to rectocele I am dealing with intussusception. What has me worried is the supposed experienced colo-rectal surgeon said it was something he hadn't found before in someone my age.

Christine

November 20, 2012 - 3:15pm

A rectocele pocket can be very low at the perineum - just inside the anus. I assume you've had no surgery or significant tearing to the sphincter.

I have found myself scratching my head when I hear of intractable rectocele symptoms in a young woman who has been following the WW way....until I hear of things like full squatting to poop, propping feet up on a stool to poop, and laxative use. What is your doctor feeling that you couldn't feel yourself?

I agree that there really isn't anything to do but be sure that every time you raise intraabdominal pressure, you do so in a position that is forcing that pressure into your lower belly and not against your perineum. Raise your bottom off the toilet seat - even to push out the last drops of pee. Sit with your tailbone lifted so your weight is off your anus. Does the "proper posture" taught by your PT include the concept of a "neutral pelvis"? If so, pressures that should be directed against your lower belly are being born by your perineum and anal sphincter instead.

Be wary of any surgical solution, as this area does not respond well to surgical fusion.

Christine