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Internal Rectal Prolapse and Resulting Obstructed Defecation

Pigelet1 profile image
8 Replies

Does anyone have experience of internal rectal prolapse and obstructed defecation? I have recently had ventral mesh rectopexy which cured the external full thickness rectal prolapse but has not resolved the obstructed defecation associated with the internal rectal prolapse. I'm getting worse and worse every day, taking more and more laxatives and am now reduced to spending 3 hours each morning repeatedly visiting the toilet evacuating only a tiny amount of stool each visit and then after it is hit and miss whether or not I am left with the feeling of incomplete evacuation. This is now causing me extreme anxiety which is not helping at all at this is probably now part of the reason I am unable to go. It is interfering with my life beyond comprehension and I am not even able to go to work half the time which means I'm probably going to get sacked soon which I can not afford to happen. I just don't know what to do. My GP is very sympathetic but doesn't really have any answers apart from take 6 sachets of movicol at once if I can't go which works, but means I have to stay in the house close to the toilet all day.

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Pigelet1 profile image
Pigelet1
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8 Replies
Skye22 profile image
Skye22

Hi there, I was diagnosed with slow transit colon, dyssnergic defecation, rectocele prolapse, colitis and levator-ani syndrome.

My pelvic floor "locks" in painful spasms meaning I cannot have normal Bowel motions. I have little to none feeling in rectum and no ability to push out waste.

I am supported by my specialist physio who performs internal /external vaginal trigger point therapy to try and relax spasms. I am also supported by my colorectal surgeon who performs botox into pubirectalis muscles. The combined treatment aims to relax spasms however I still cannot have normal Bowel function

Best treatment now is daily trans-anal irrigation called "quofora balloon system". This helps to propel waste down but only way to expel is manual extraction. Strangely it is my normal morning routine.

We found after trying a lot of laxatives that they have no effect on Bowel. I also have complications with Bowel and bladder adhesions.

It really is trial and effort to see what treatments work best, I'm 5yrs doing treatment, roughly an hour each morning and it is such a relief to not have that constant pressure.

Apologies for graphics I used to be embarrassed talking about it but now I am much more confident.

Wishing you good health and hope you find a treatment that works for you.

Beezwax profile image
Beezwax

Hi Pigelet1,

I have a similar problem - obstructed defecation which is caused by an intersussepcion (internal bowel prolapse) and I also have a rectocele.

I haven’t had any surgery although my consultant talked about referring me for an operation such as the ventral mesh rectopexy, but then told me any plans had to be on hold because the procedure had been withdrawn due to the concerns around mesh.

However I manage my condition by using an irrigation system daily - I use the Qufora mini system but have also tried the Peristeen one - both systems originally prescribed by my consultant and colorectal nurse. I also take movicol or lactulose (I prefer the latter) but only very occasionally.

Using the irrigation system takes me quite a long time in the morning but is effective. If I need to use the toilet again during the day I use digitation, or what my physio calls ‘splinting’. There is even a device you could use for this (although it doesn’t work for me) called Femmeze. My physio got me one to try but I see you can buy it on Amazon now.

My original colorectal consultant referred me to another consultant to consider the possibility of having a bowel resection for the problem, although it could result in having a stoma - I am considering this option.

It is good your GP is sympathetic but can’t you go back to the consultant who performed the rectopexy to see what they can do...or be referred on to someone for long term colorectal management? I doubt a GP would be able to get you an irrigation system for example without you seeing a consultant first.

Anyway, good luck. I completely understand your issues with movicol. Maybe try lactulose which you can get without prescription. Don’t take any fibre based laxatives or senna. I was told this can make obstructive defecation worse.

Leigh37 profile image
Leigh37

Have you tried prucalopride? I suffer and this drug has been suggested to me x

Are you able to use irrigation/enema ?

It’s the only way I can fully evacuate. I have a rectocele.

Donnay profile image
Donnay

I am familiar with this.... my daily routine is to stay in the house until I have a bowel movement then get in the bath to manually expel the rest! I have to insert in my vagina then push against the inside of my bowel! This is fine while I'm at home but I dread ever staying at friends ! They wonder why I don't take a morning shower till after I've been up for an hour or maybe 2! If we have to be out early in the morning I have to make sure I'm up particularly early. Enemas are no good for me as I found I got a leakage hours later

anne77 profile image
anne77

I have this exact problem! I have PT once a month (maintenance), but had been going more frequently at first. I have also had similar problems with enemas and have tried several different medications (both prescription and over the counter), but that caused a whole other set of problems. I recently found a product on Amazon, and although I've only been using it a few weeks, it has been a game changer for me! It is a black bulb with a tip and the brand is OTBBA. It is quick, and effective. If my rectum is a little sore, I then follow up with an ointment I bought on Amazon (Calmoseptine) and take an Aleve. Hope this helps:)

Frankieandgracie profile image
Frankieandgracie in reply to anne77

Dear Anne77 does that OTBBA work to get out the second half of the bowel motion which is so distressing if not all out😣🙄😐 and can you buy similar ones from a chemist I live in Australia are they used regularly by people with this condition so I don't sound like an idiot when asking for one what do they call them. any ideas are very much worth me trying 😊

anne77 profile image
anne77

That's exactly what this "bulb is for"! And it really helps and is not as irritating as an enema (which I've tried). Do you have access to Amazon to see what it looks like? It is looks like a larger version of the little suction bulbs that I used to use when my babies had congestion in their noses. I could try to email you a picture of it. I will look up on Amazon and take a picture of it just incase! This is the best solution that I have found after several years!!

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