Like pooping glass!

[Sunflower6758]

I wondered if anyone experiences a really sore bottom when passing bowel movements- not like the deep intense pain in the bowel before pooing, but like sharp glass scratching when you actually poo. Sorry to be graphic, but it feels like my anus is tearing every time I poop! And often it bleeds. I know this can be an anal fissure, but I wonder if anyone experiences the same and if it's related to endo at all, as I know it can affect the anus..

Also, I've been on the pill continuously now for over a year, and although its giving me impossible moods, I don't have periods so am not having to go into hospital with pain each time. But it feels so unnatural going back to back for this long and I worry it's secretly causing more issues. Has anyone else been on the pill continuously and then stopped it and seen an improvement? I'm just terrified to come off it as I'm traumatised from the pains I had before! Also have an endometrioma on one ovary so if I stop it this might get a lot worse?

Thank you!

Love and strength to all xxx

[IB15]

Hiya,

I do have personal experience with this, but please bare in mind this might not be the case for you!

I have experienced this for many years, when on my period I would be in agony and yes it felt like glass! I would vomit from the pain.

It was a long process to diagnosis for me as many GP's thought it was IBS and Haemorrhoids which it definitely could be as they feel very similar, so worth getting all the relevant checks. Please try not to worry too much, I was petrified at the time.

I ended up having a rectal examination where they could feel a lump on the outside of my rectum which was putting pressure on everything. I then had blood and stool tests, a flexible sigmoidoscopy and a colonoscopy all of which came back clear and finally had a diagnostic laparoscopy where they confirmed a rectovaginal nodule which answered everything! I am now waiting to have another surgery to remove the nodule.

If it helps, I had an MRI scan after the diagnostic lap which showed the nodule, it could be worth asking to have some of these tests done to see if you can get to the bottom of it (No pun intended!)

While I am waiting for the surgery I am taking the Progesterone only pill, which has helped a lot but I do get similar side effects to yourself. Perhaps you could try coming it off it every few months to have a period (Like a relief) and then get back on it? I do understand that feeling of needing a period. It's worth speaking to your gynae or GP about other options if the pill isn't suiting you and definitely ask about the rectal pain to see if you can get some tests and relief.

Sending you love x

[Sunflower6758 in reply to IB15]

Hey IB15

Thank you so much for your generous response. I'm sorry you had to go through such a long ordeal for diagnosis! That's really helpful to know you had an MRI scan after the laparoscopy- I will enquire about this. I was awaiting surgery soon but have recently done a full 180 as it came out that they weren't going to look properly for endo but just remove my cyst, as they're not an endo centre, so I decided to change route and be referred Birmingham Women's Hospital which is an endo centre. I'm hoping this doctor will look properly at my MRI to spot other growths than the cyst- I also need to let him know about this rectal pain. I'm only a couple of years into getting diagnosed and am realising so many other potential symptoms that I've just ignored or put up with, and want to make sure I get them investigated!

I think I'll consider my options with the pill after my appointment in February with this specialist. Maybe a break every few months wouldn't give me a flare up..I just wish there was something that didn't mess with our hormones so much!

I'm so glad they were able to find an answer to your pain, and wish you all the very best for the next surgery- I hope it brings relief.

Thank you again for your help and support,

Love and warm wishes x

[IB15 in reply to Sunflower6758]

Absolutely get referred to a BSGE centre it makes so much difference! I hope you get the help you need there. Be sure to tell them everything, I even went in with a notepad in case I forgot to mention something.

That's so true, once I got diagnosed so many symptoms I had ignored made sense.

Tell me about it, it's a choice between pill symptoms or endo symptoms sometimes which can be so hard. I tried mefenamic and tranexamic acid for a bit which helps with heavy bleeding and doesn't tamper with hormones, although it doesn't stop periods or ovulation so doesn't slow the growth of endometriosis. But it might be worth asking about them as a treatment option?

Thank you so much, I really hope you get the relief and help you need also.

Happy to chat whenever, sending you love x

[Sunflower6758 in reply to IB15]

Ah yes thanks for the tip- I'm always missing things out when I speak to doctors!

It's good to have an answer for symptoms- fingers crossed it'll all make more sense after the surgery.

Thank you for the suggestion, I just need to remember sometimes how bad things were before I started using the pill, despite the difficult emotions that come with it!

Thanks for your support, it is very much appreciated. And the same to you, sending love and positivity x