I'm kind of miserable.
I'm in limbo, waiting for scopes, but in the meantime, here's some of what is going on. If you have had stuff like this happen, or have an idea, chime in.
For 20+ years, pouch was predictable. Not any longer.
Past bit of time, I'm suffering what feels like slower transit times, more issues with "constipation" (not dry stools, just thicker stools), and things are harder to pass. Even when thinner, it's sometimes harder to pass.
I used to have a lot of gas that helped me "blow out" stuff, but that seems to have slacked off... or the gas I have is hard to push out? Sitting on the toilet, things just don't want to come out as simply as they used to.
I saw my CRS and my new GI guy a few weeks ago, and the CRS did an exam and said that the anal canal was open, not strictured, and very "pliable." I've checked and things seem pretty open to me, too. I used my dilator yesterday, and had no issue getting it through.
I do have a perianal fistula and seton.
I wonder if I have some inflammation there, that is making things harder to pass? I've never been diagnosed with "cuffitis," I have no bleeding, etc., so I'm pretty sure it's not that, but I wonder if there's enough inflammation related to the fistula that it's making the chute "different" than its norm? Like, it can stretch, but it's kind of swollen?
I might try some anti-hemorrhoid cream, to see if that could decrease any swelling that might be there... and I CAN pass stuff, just not comfortably. What makes it easier to pass is to sit in my hot sitz bath; things relax, then pass. It's like I've gotten "tighter" there, less "relaxed" there or something? I can't figure it out, but it's very uncomfortable and bothersome to me.
Anybody have any thoughts? Even striking my poses aren't working. Sometimes some Miralax has helped, or a small enema, but why do I have to rely on these things, even when the stool ISN'T thick, to go? I'm very very confused.
I want my old pouch back.
I blame the fistula for much of this, but I can't pinpoint the main issues, and why sometimes things are "ok" and why lately, and other times, it's just not.
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