My consultant suspects this may be what is causing my problems and has referred me for an anorectal manometry test but the current waiting list is about 9 months (and it can only be done in an NHS hospital). I am wondering if there is anything I can do exercise wise in the meantime which would increase my chances of recovery.
I`d be interested to hear if anyone has experience of this condition
What does he suspect is the obstruction? I 've been told that I have pelvic organ prolapse which causes slower transit and constipation. Try stool softeners while you wait for you test. I'm sure you could go private for this.
Hi Janke, I feel for you - It's a wretched condition which I also suffer from. I think it's definitely worth trying the guidance on the NHS St Marks Hospital website for pelvic floor dyssergnia and obstructed defecation, especially the 'brace' technique (biofeedback). I have also found that regularly practising deep breathing (10 minutes at a time) makes a big difference. If you can find a pelvic floor specialist privately that would be good too. Do hope you get some help because it can feel so painful and dispiriting sometimes. I'm sure you know about all the other things to do! Best wishes
Thanks Rozzy. I`ve seen the consultant privately to try to speed things up. I`ve had a sigmoidoscopy and all is "normal" and all the usual treatments for Constipation don`t help. Having read up about obstructive defecation it seems very likely as I have all of the symptoms. He is trying to hurry up my referral but the test can only be done with equipment at the main NHS hospital. I have thought about seeing a private woman`s health physiotherapist but they do seem to be mainly concerned with incontinence rather than the opposite! I am seeing the consultant again in 2 weeks and will ask what he thinks. I am a bit worried about embarking on the wrong exercises which could make things worse.
I am aware of the Brace technique but haven`t tried to put it into practice yet. I will take a look at the St Marks website. I`m also intending to start doing some yoga to see if general stretching and rexation might help.
I do appreciate you replying. Usually if I mention that I have a form of constipation I just get a lot of dietary and laxative recommendations which make very little difference!
I'm not sure if it would be advisable but I had a partial impacted bowel earlier in the year and nothing would shift it so i went for colonic irrigation. I had a colonic every week for 4 weeks and then i had another 3 weeks later and my last one 8 weeks after. Yes it's removed the impaction. As for obstructed bowel it could be more complex.
Thanks. "Obstructive Defecation" doesn`t mean that the bowel is blocked. It is caused when the pelvic floor muscles aren`t working properly and tense when they should be relaxing. Biofeedback is used to retrain the muscles.
I had mine done about 7 years ago privately, both balloon test and proctogram. It was not available locally and I travelled into London for it. So perhaps worth investigating tha option further
Bowel training (including brace) was hugely beneficial for me.
Thankyou Judith. I have discovered that their is a private physiotherapist locally who specialises in pelvic floor disorders and seems to cover this issue. She wouldn`t be able to provide the balloon test but I hope she might be able to give me some advice that will help me make progress while I wait. I`ve been trying to master the Brace technique on my own but could do with some guidance and reassurance that I am doing it correctly. I am seeing the gastroenterologist next week and if he is in agreement I will then make an appointment with the physiotherapist.
It is frustrating that I can`t get the test done - the hospital is only 10 minutes away from me! I`m not in a position to travel much further . I think there was a long waiting list anyway and covid has made it much worse
I should have known better
IBS and back disc problem
Hot water bottle -a good idea?
