Stool Stuck in Rectum

[rectal_repair]

At least twice daily I have to manually remove stool stuck in my rectum.  The stool is not formed and is stuck in pouches in the rectum back wall and right upper side of rectum.   It seems like the last inch or two of the fecal pieces get stuck in rectum pouches.  No amount of pushing helps.  The anus remains dilated open with a chunk of feces stuck there.  I can feel the dilated anus and the material, but the urge to have a bowel movement is gone.  Most of the food I eat does not digest but comes out the same almost as when I digested it.  The problem is becoming increasingly worse and when I remove the stool that is stuck, it usually results in diaherria.  If I do not manually remove this stool it remains stuck and it becomes very painful.  I can not live a functionally normal life like this and in the morning is the worst usually resulting in me spending on average 3 hours a morning to remove and settle down my rectum back to normal; mucus and blood in stools.  To manually remove the stools I sit in a hot bath with plastic gloves on with KY jelly to gently insert my fingers into my rectum trying to dislodge and remove it.    

In addition, I cannot refrain from urinating while trying to push stool out of rectum.  I have read about rectocele and know this is not the problem, as inserting a finger to push the vagina wall to form a proper stool does not solve the problem at all.  My incapability to form proper stools and refrain from urinating frequently began about a year and a 1/2 ago right after having a colonoscopy.  During the colonoscopy it was extremely painful and asked the doctor to stop but she did not listen.  After the colonoscopy I felt like I had a several bladder infection and it was extremely painful to go the bathroom or even walk for about 6 weeks.  

Increasing my fibre makes it even worse, Any ideas or suggestions as what might be causing this and what treatment is available?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

This is more of a surgical question, rather than a GI question.

I agree with increasing the fiber.  It seems like hard stools seem to exacerbate the symptom.  You may want to discuss whether a stool softener can help, as well as testing for a low thyroid level - which can also worsen constipation.

If the symptoms continue, I would investigate for the possibility of an anatomical problem.  

A referral to a colo-rectal surgeon would be the recommended referral if you decide to go this route.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd

[cinti]

I had the same thing, it is called digitally pushed instead of manually LOL..
PLEASE PLEASE HAEV YOUR DOCTOR CHECK YOU FOR RECTOCELE, AND REMEMBER THAT REGULAR TESTS SUCH AS COLONOSCOPY DOES NOT DETECT IT.. RECTOCELE IS WHAT CAUSES IT.. PLEASE HAVE IT DONE AND ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR THE TESTS..
c

[cinti]

I I did had my Surgery for my skin tags about 3 weeks ago, and it is extremelly inflamed and swellen... I have being bleeding for about 3 weeks, where I even bleed at night and wake up with a lot blood on my underwear.
My butt looks like a circus with uninvited clows, it looks like I have more skin tags then before, and a little space in between some new bumps that were not there.
My surgeon is suppost one of the 10 best in the world not just in US.
I did go to my primary doctor and he told me I had to see the surgeon right a way, but the surgeon could not see me, and I am waitting to see him..
Does anyone knows if it is normal to have all this sweeling for 3 weeks and all this new bumps and bleeding????
Also the huge pain is gone but the discomfort to sit is horrible and I also have some discharge, what I heard it is normal... Does anyone know if it will ever go back to normal or will I need another surgery to fix it???
I just want to have a human butt again, and go back to my normal lif and activities..
C
ps i HAD MY RECTOCELE SURGERY DONE THIS PAST dECEMBER, SO it does not have to do with it..

[rectal_repair]

What kind of rectocele did you have and what was the method of surgery they used?  What are skin tags....are they similiar to developing pouches?  Yes, I would love to have a normal human butt again and a normal life with activities again too!    

[rectal_repair]

Is a colo-rectal surgeon the same as a gastroenterology specialist?  I have tried stool softeners and eat a high fibre diet but it does not make any difference.  You are correct I do have a low thyroid.  Could you tell me what tests they do for rectocele and are there different types?  Thank you for your reply.  

[mifegr]

I am a nutritionist and I have also had severe bowel problems all my life.  A Gastroenterologist is not the same thing as a Colon/Rectal surgeon.  One is a surgeon.  The other is not.  Usually, a person such as yourself would go see a Gastroenterologist and have lots of tests done to determine what the problem is.  If he is of no help, it's on to the Colon/Rectal Surgeon.  It sounds like the problem is in your rectum.  Don't wait.  If you have started eating a high fiber diet, started taking stool softeners, and your on thyroid medication and your STILL having this problem, get to a Gastroenterologist and if you already have and he's tests have showed nothing, get to the surgeon.  Don't wait, and Good Luck!

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