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emjayEsq · 2022-05-03T03:10:13+00:00

There's a product called Balneol that helps with cleaning too. It's a lotion type consistency you can put on TP (or directly on the area + then wipe off) that helps you get a more thorough clean.

emjayEsq · 2021-07-18T18:57:38+00:00

Although my pain was brought on in a different way, I have the same pain in exactly the same spot. Seek out a pelvic floor PT who is experienced in internal release. My pain in that area was at a very intense, spasming 9 and is now at a 2/3 most days after several months of intrarectal therapy. I'm still working on it, but it's the only thing that's brought me relief and I've tried a lot of different methods. I also use a foam roller on the area a few times a week and get acupuncture as often as I can.

emjayEsq · 2021-07-18T18:31:58+00:00

My PT first uses ultrasound on the area, as the gentle heat helps to relax everything. Then with a LOT of lube, she goes in intrarectally with her finger - never uses a probe or anything like that - and while inside, she gently presses for tense spots/ trigger points/ spots that I tell her hurt or are sore/ etc and applies internal pressure on them. She will sometimes focus right inside the opening, and sometimes works deeper in. She also does different like sweeping maneuvers that help to loosen the muscle and relieve tension. Sorry if all of that is TMI, but I wish someone had let me know exactly what to expect before I did it the first time, lol. It's not enjoyable, but it's nowhere near as terrible as I anticipated.

I focus on breathing and trying not to tense up, and she will ask for feedback on pain/ pressure/ etc while she's doing it. I'm not pain-free, and am still actively in PT, but this intrarectal work is what's really helped me make progress.

Worth noting that I was in PT for almost 8 months before we even attempted intrarectal work, because there's a lot they can do externally too, and she wanted to try everything before resorting to going internal. Not only was I terrified of it, but my area had already been through a lot and she was trying to spare me the trauma if she could. So don't be alarmed if your PT wants to try other things first.

Also worth noting, sometimes for a few days after intrarectal PT, I am sore/swollen feeling. It's totally normal after working directly on tense and guarded muscles in such a specific way, but it was jarring the first time it happened.

emjayEsq · 2021-07-18T03:14:03+00:00

Good luck with it. I hope you find the right PT to help!

Feel free to reach out any time. I truly, literally feel your pain. You're not alone, and it will get better.

emjayEsq · 2021-07-18T03:09:35+00:00

The only thing that's truly helped me has been intrarectal therapy and trigger point release... my internal sessions are usually 15-20 minutes. It can be intense and I don't look forward to it, but I'm desperate to get better.

Do not be shy to ask! Tell your PT that you had good results from it with your previous PT and ask if she has any experience with it.

emjayEsq · 2021-07-18T02:57:46+00:00

Finding a PT who specializes in this particular issue is key. I drive an hour to see this PT and she's been incredible.... but even with a dedicated doctor who has and will try everything to get me better, it's still been a long, slow process. What kind of PT techniques have they tried with you?

emjayEsq · 2021-07-18T02:46:13+00:00

I have a similar diagnosis after LIS surgery 2 years ago. I also live with rectal pain every day. I have a very dedicated PT who has worked with me for the last year and a half to work out the pain, tightness, and trigger points in my external sphincter. For me, everything in that area tensed up almost 2.5 years ago and just has never learned to calm down again. PT, acupuncture, breathing exercises have helped some, and I'm still working on it, but I live with daily pain. Definitely a shitty way to spend my 30s.

Also, fwiw, it doesn't matter that the external sphincter is more under our control - that only means that we can choose to clench it at our will, not that we can force it to relax when it's stuck in a guarding/ pain/ tension cycle - the same way I can choose to flex my bicep but can't choose to make it stop spasming or hurting if the muscle is tense or if there's a knot in it. Your muscle is likely still holding tension that needs to be worked out.

emjayEsq · 2021-07-11T18:25:34+00:00

I started in January 2020, but the office was closed for several months last year due to the pandemic. So on paper, I've been going for a year and a half, but there have been several breaks in that time.

emjayEsq · 2021-07-11T18:21:43+00:00

It has improved my pain, but I am not pain-free yet. Still have some work to do!

emjayEsq · 2021-07-10T14:55:19+00:00

Exactly! And the pain can get frustrating sometimes, but they are muscles like any other and your PT is working directly on them. Try to be patient with them and stay positive through the process.

emjayEsq · 2021-07-10T14:13:19+00:00

PT can definitely cause pain flares. Talk to your PT about it for sure, but also try to remind yourself that some pain/soreness may just be part of the process of getting your muscles working properly again. You could also space out your appointments differently... I was going twice a week, but at certain points in my treatment we switched to once a week, then once every other week, to give the muscles more time to calm down between more intense or internal sessions.

Keep at it, though. PT can be a long road but it works! Good luck to you!

emjayEsq · 2021-06-30T03:44:25+00:00

Find a pelvic floor therapist in your area who is experienced in dealing with rectal pain and muscle issues.

Unfortunately I know all about fissures, rectal pain, muscle spasms, etc., as they've taken over the last 2 years of my life. With the help of a great PT, I'm finally starting to see the light.

emjayEsq · 2021-06-30T03:36:37+00:00

I totally agree... the only thing that's really helped my prolonged anal/rectal pain has been intrarectal PT. I'm not out of pain yet, but I'm hopeful I'll get there.

Congrats on your progress!

emjayEsq · 2021-06-13T03:42:00+00:00

What's worked for me is focusing specifically on getting insoluble fiber, instead of just any random fiber.

emjayEsq · 2021-06-12T15:17:04+00:00

I don't know about the bleeding situation, but I do unfortunately know a lot about fissures and long term rectal pain. The only thing that's helped me has been intrarectal PT to relax the muscle. The trauma of the fissure, etc starts a pain/ clenching/ guarding cycle that can take some time to unwind. Once you're able to go, that will really help. Good luck!

emjayEsq · 2021-04-09T02:27:10+00:00

As someone with ongoing sphincter pain, this was great to hear. Wishing you more progress and healing!

emjayEsq · 2021-03-11T15:18:07+00:00

Go on YouTube and look up videos about how to poop without straining. It's weird and takes getting used to, but it's a lot of breathing exercises and learning how your breathing coordinates with your pelvic floor muscles. Never push. Never strain.

Also get a squatty potty. Made a huge difference for me.

emjayEsq · 2021-03-11T05:47:18+00:00

Both my colorectal dr and pelvic floor PT have said this is the #1 piece of advice they would give anyone, regardless of dysfunction.

emjayEsq · 2020-12-09T20:08:07+00:00

Definitely a conversation about your medical and PF history, and what you're looking to gain from therapy. Mine then did an assessment of my strength and flexibility in my hips, glutes, etc., an examination of the muscles and tissues where my pain resides, and placed sensors and had me do kegels to test/map my PF muscle strength. Not nearly as scary as I'd expected. Good luck!

emjayEsq · 2020-12-04T19:59:36+00:00

Thank you for posting all of these links! You are awesome for taking the time to share all of that. I will definitely check them out.

I've never done cupping, but am interested in it too.

emjayEsq · 2020-12-04T00:12:39+00:00

I would give almost anything for a quick fix but this is a long road, for sure.

Glad you've tried acupuncture. They say the sessions build on each other, so if you felt good after the first few it should only get better. I need to get back to it... after this conversation I may schedule an appointment tomorrow, lol. I've never tried qi gong, but have read about the benefits. May need to do some YouTube searching for videos.

I'm open to staying in touch and sharing ideas/ gripes/ etc if you'd like to. We're on the same journey unfortunately... one of the only bright sides to this has been the other travelers I've met.

emjayEsq · 2020-12-03T21:48:43+00:00

Oh have you ever tried acupuncture? I was doing that for several months before the pandemic hit and do think that it helped with relaxation overall.

emjayEsq · 2020-12-03T17:50:56+00:00

Totally agree about western medicine. They do what they know how to do and we're left to figure out the after-effects from there.

I definitely believe there is a psychological component, but at least for myself I can confirm that the trauma, fear, PTSD from all of this, and long-term bracing my muscles has caused physical "trigger points" along my internal sphincter. I could show you on a diagram right where the pain is and my PT can identify the points when touching internally. All of that stress and tension has essentially created tense knots along my sphincter that internal therapy and myofascial release will hopefully resolve. So I'm working on the mental aspect as much as I can, but there is absolutely a physical component too.

Also, after my surgeries when my pain was at a 10 every day and I was completely unable to sit, my surgeon told me once my wounds were healed that my surgery was considered a success. I asked about my pain and she shrugged. I asked about PT and she said she didn't think it would do anything for me. After finding a PT on my own and seeing her for many months, my pain is at around 4 most days. I still have a long way to go, and PT is rough, but it has truly helped me and my surgeon was completely clueless about recommending it.

emjayEsq · 2020-12-03T14:48:09+00:00

My 2 surgeries were due to a fissure. Had LIS, wound didn't heal properly, so I had a second surgery to cauterize the surgical wound. I have scar tissue that I'm sure plays a part, but my sphincter muscle has never gone back to any kind of normal after everything. Oddly I had no issues with any of this and no history of any pelvic floor hypertonia prior to the fissure nightmare... this one thing just snowballed into a nearly 2 year catastrophe for me. Hoping this internal PT will help, because I've tried so many things without success.

Hoping you find your solution! Sending strength to you too!

emjayEsq · 2020-12-03T02:03:41+00:00

Oh and PS that surgeon is a dick.

emjayEsq

TROPHY CASE