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I was hoping I am not alone on this and there might be someone else out there that has experienced what I am going through.

For a while now I have had a hard time emptying my pouch, along with pelvic pain and pressure. I was diagnosed with a cystocele, enterorectocele, and anterior rectocele during an MRI defecogram. My dr explained to me that basically every time I try to empty my pouch, my bladder bulges into my vagina (cystole) as well as my j pouch (enterorectocele). This is causing me to not be able to empty my pouch because the bulges are pushing my stool to the side and not down when I bear down or strain.

Has anyone had this issue before? Did you do biofeedback for it and did it solve the bulging? With doing my own research, all I can find is that surgery is the way to fix it, which I obviously want to avoid. On the other hand, not being able to empty my pouch all the way and having to strain every time I go is uncomfortable and annoying. My dr. isn't sure if biofeedback will solve all these issues, but he thinks it may help.

I would love any insight from someone who has had this issue before!!

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I haven't experienced this, and I'm sorry you're going through it. It strikes me that this might be a situation in which you could get some relief, at least temporarily or periodically, by draining the pouch through a catheter. I'm not suggesting this is necessarily a permanent or ideal solution, though several folks here are strong advocates for this method, but it might provide some relief and at least delay the need for surgery.
Scott F
Last edited by Scott F
TI have both a cystocele and rectocele, but not an enterocele. Had them for nearly 20 years. My GYN diagnosed them ages ago. I asked if they were related to my j-pouch surgery. She didn't think so. She said it was most likely due to childbirth complications (large baby, outlet forceps, 4th degree lacerations). Kegels were recommended to help improve pelvic floor tone. I'm not good at keeping up with those, but they are supposed to help.

I do have periods of what feels like outlet obstructions. This is particularly noticeable when I have pouchitis. You can try tap water enema rinses to help evacuate the pouch. I haven't needed this (yet), but would try that before entertaining surgery.

Another thing I find is that keeping my output loose helps with emptying. I agree that if you can avoid surgery, that would be best. The mesh repairs they do are designed for those sith a rectum, and I'd worry about too much scar tissue making the j-pouch too stiff.

Jan Smiler
Jan Dollar

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