I was hoping someone might be able to provide some input on my situation. I had my takedown surgery last Oct. Everything was going well until I started having pain and bleeding about 3 weeks post takedown. Ever since then I have been battling chronic cuffitis that has not responded to any medications, including a combo of methotrexate and once a week Humira injections. I also always have to strain to go to the bathroom, like my face turns red type of straining, which I thought was normal until now. I mentioned to my doctor that I was also having pelvic pain while straining to try and go to the bathroom. He wants me to have a defogram to rule out a possible prolapse. After going home and doing some research I decided to check things out myself and found that when I do strain, I feel a bulge down in the rectum that goes back in when I relax. Now Im worried that I could have a prolapse from all the straining. Is it normal to have a bit of a bulge while straining/going to the bathroom? Since I have been having issues pretty much ever since my takedown I really have no clue what normal should feel/be like. If it is not a prolapse, can the chronic cuffitis be the reason for why I always have to strain?
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No, not normal to bulge when emptying your pouch. Sounds like prolapse to me. The cuffitis may be contributing too. Hard to say which came first, the prolapse or the straining.
The tests should sort this out.
Jan
The tests should sort this out.
Jan
Straining can be from a stricture also. When mine acts up I always have a hard time emptying, although I have not dealt with any bulging like you have described.
Thanks Jan! Is surgery the only way to fix a prolapse?
I'm pretty sure the only way to fix a prolapse is surgical. Possible (tarnished) silver lining: It could be worth considering treating the cuffitis and prolapse with a single surgery (pouch advancement with hand-sewn anastamosis and mucosectomy). Such a procedure is best done by a very experienced surgeon.
Yes, prolapse is a structural issue and no medications will suffice. You either live with it, or have surgical repair. Sometimes it is as simple as tacking the pouch on the posterior abdominal wall.
Again, defography should show where the defect lies.
Jan
Again, defography should show where the defect lies.
Jan
Thanks for the input everyone. Over the weekend things got quite a bit worse when it comes to pain, trying to empty my pouch and bleeding. I usually have pain and bleeding from the cuffitis, but I'm in a lot of pain now and am bleeding quite a bit more than I normally do. Is intense anal pain and bleeding normal with a prolapse, or is it just irritating my cuffitis even more? I'm assuming I'm having more trouble emptying because the bulge is over my rectum, which I'm assuming is the pouch prolapsing. I'm still trying to get ahold of my doctor and am quite miserable!