Pelvic Dysfunction w/ Anal Swelling?

[wreckedum]

Hey, folks. At my wits end here. Another night of no sleep due to anal pain. I’m currently receiving physiotherapy for pelvic floor dysfunction and have been diagnosed with hypertonic muscles, trigger points, and resulting nerve pain. That all makes sense except for one symptom: my anus swells up frequently and visibly throughout the day. Case and point: today I went from zero (normal skin tone, no inflammation) to a hundred (red, puffy, irritated) and now back down again just from living my life. Laying down seems to help. For this reason, it’s unlikely hemorrhoids as they don’t really behave that way. Also, the inflammation is around the whole anus, and my CRS says it’s swelling not hemorrhoids.

The PT place where I’ve started receiving treatment is great and I’m optimistic but I haven’t really gotten a straight answer as to whether this inflammation can be caused by PFD or if it’s something else. I suspect it *could* be a circulatory issue resulting from my tight floor. Or maybe it’s neurogenic but I don’t know why laying down would affect that one way or the other.

Here’s my question: has anyone heard of or experienced this? Specifically anal swelling resulting from a tight pelvic floor?

[anne77]

Yes, I have and I use these special ice packs which I found on Amazon. They are by GP (gentle pack) and are just the right size and come with black washable terry cloth covers. They come in a pack of 3, and are pliable, comfortable, and it really helps with the swelling!

[wreckedum in reply to anne77]

Thanks for the tip, Anne! The more I study my situation, the more I think the swelling is a byproduct of me clenching my dumb pelvic muscles, but I can’t really prove it. All part of the joyous mystery that is PFD!

[Cardinal]

Could it be due to constipation? Maybe try a little recticare cream (lidocaine). Or valium/xanax to help relax the muscles. That's what has helped me. I have the same diagnosis.

[wreckedum in reply to Cardinal]

Thanks. I’ll pick up a little lidocaine as an emergency measure and I’m sure muscle relaxants would help, but the most important thing for me is to learn to carry my tension in a healthy balanced way so I am not perpetuating the cycle of tension and pain! Working on that daily.

[kalecolbe12 in reply to wreckedum]

I just read your post from a year ago and I was wondering if you had gotten your nervous system calm down I have the same diagnosis and I am doing the curable app just try to calm down my nervous system also.

Wondering how you are these days?

[wreckedum in reply to kalecolbe12]

Hey, this was a pretty old post and I was in a very different place with my condition at the time. I‘ve made a lot of progress since then, especially with sleep, but I’m not done. That’s OK, this can take time and frankly it’s taken me a very long time to really understand what it means to treat this 100% as a mind/body condition which I believe it to be. My suggestion is to check out the Pain Psychology Center which can give you a free consult over the phone. They are a fantastic resource and have been invaluable to me in achieving all the progress that I’ve made thus far. Also TMSwiki.org is a useful website (especially the success stories from people like @Ezer) and I like Alan Gordon’s free pain program which you will find there as well. Very illuminating.

Treat the brain because that’s where our pain comes from! Good luck to you. People do get better but it’s a process. Don’t give up!

[Skye22]

Your symptoms sound very similar to mine, I have been diagnosed with levator-ani syndrome where the pelvic floor muscles contract into seriously painful spasms which can last for hours or in my case days and weeks. i cannot sit as the pain and swelling is severe and like you lying down helps a little. I attend specialist physio for trigger point manipulation and have very recently had vaginal botox which is c!aimed to relax muscles,only 2weeks ago so early days to see any benefit yet. I think it would be wise for you to discuss with your colorectal consultant your symptoms and how it affects you. Most importantly with the right diagnosis you can have a definitive care plan that will set out meds and treatment specifically for that condition. Really hope you can find out what is causing your symptoms, i am at the severe stage as I have multiple conditions and living with daily pain is just awful. Good luck and wish you well .

[wreckedum in reply to Skye22]

Thank you. Good luck to you as well. I’m glad you at least have a diagnosis and are receiving treatment! I continue to believe my swelling is at least in part from clenching my muscles and am now working to learn new habits so that my physiotherapy can really take hold.

[wreckedum in reply to Skye22]

If I can ask: is your swelling visible? Like the anus gets big and puffy?

[Skye22 in reply to wreckedum]

Swelling is mainly just inside with some visible on the outside. Partly due to a rectocele prolapse complicated with severe constipation and bowel and bladder adhesions.I have multiple conditions and symptoms which are all interrelated and in same areas however most need different treatments, botox being the most recent for levator-ani syndrome. Unfortunately for me treatments and meds are limited due to previous surgeries and complications over the years.