Constant feeling of pressure in rectal area - so worried.

[CaraVann]

I’ve had IBS for years but when I hit around the age of 45 (5 years ago) my symptoms became much worse, and daily.

In 2019 I had a colonoscopy, gastroscope and ct scan - they all came back clear.
My symptoms eased a bit during the first lockdown but have been getting worse and worse since.

In April last year, I had a pill camera endoscopy which also came back clear.

I suffer from a range symptoms starting from my stomach and right through to my rectal area.

But recently I have been getting a lot of discomfort and pressure in my rectal area. I often feel the need to poop, sometimes it’s just gas and sometimes I will actually need to pass a stool.
I spend most of my day clenching my pelvic floor muscles due to an overwhelming fear of actually crapping myself whilst out and about (this is a huge, huge fear of mine).
Often, and weirdly, the sensation eases off in the evening but sometimes will wake me (if I don’t take Mebeverine for the IBS).

The gastroenterologist (who I saw in October last year) said he couldn’t examine my rectal area in the consulting room (??) so has referred me to a pelvic floor specialist but I have been told this could be up to a year wait!

Last month, I paid to see a private gastroenterologist. I did a FIT stool test which has come back clear but I am still experiencing this awful feeling (Stupidly I never asked her to examine me).

At Christmas time I was a little constipated (I suffer from mixed IBS and also mebeverine can constipate me) and when I went to the loo, it felt like I had passed a razor blade and there was a very small amount of blood when I dabbed the toilet paper on that area. I haven’t had anything since as I am now religiously using pile cream but am panicking about this as I never normally see blood and combined with this constant feeling in that area I am thinking the worse (I did have a fissure and piles after having my dd but that was 15 years ago).

The issue which exacerbates my anxiety I suppose is that, as much as I’ve had enough of being prodded and poked, I have never had a rectal examination so worried something may have been missed in that area. The colonscopy and endoscope reports mention the stomach, small intestines and colon but not the rectal area.

I am just so fed up having all of these digestive issues which take over my life and I have tried absolutely everything to help. It’s cost me a small fortune, not to mention my sanity.

Has anyone else had this pressure/discomfort in their rectal area? What did/have you done to ease it?

I feel for you as I’ve been having rectal pain and pressure intermittently for 3 years now with no answers or resolutions. I’ve been seen in the Colorectal department at my local hospital, examined (was agony and lasted for a week afterwards 😣), told they could find nothing and referred back to my GP. Seeing them again next month as still having issues. I have days where I just feel like I need to go to the toilet all the time (when I don’t) and sometimes get sharp pains and spasms, which are awful. GP thought I had IBD but a colonoscopy didn’t find anything.

I definitely think you need to be examined and have further tests, perhaps speak to your GP to get the ball rolling?

Could it be a prolapse? I have mild symptoms of prolapse that come and go. I had the feeling of pressure and also that after a bowel movement that I hadn't completely emptied my bowel.

My symptoms improved on their own, I did do pelvic floor exercises for a while, and keep meaning to start again.

ive been told and read that prolapses are very hard to diagnose.

Meant to add maybe its your usual IBS symptoms and newer prolapse symptoms happening at the same time, so kind of blending together?

At Christmas time I was a little constipated ...and when I went to the loo, it felt like I had passed a razor blade and there was a very small amount of blood when I dabbed the toilet paper on that area.

Perfect description for piles. Sorry OP. Good news is you can get your GP to confirm it OR ignore it and continue with the hemorrhoid cream and mention it at your next consultation.

Sickandtiredofbeingsick Your user name just about sums up my life! I’m sorry you’ve been suffering for so long. Isn’t it just an awful feeling. I literally do not want to go out anymore as I feel constantly like I need to go. I left a message for the pelvic floor specialist but his secretary is off until Monday, hopefully she will get back to me. I have also booked a gp appointment for the end of the month. I hope you do manage to get somewhere, it’s bloody awful.
janeeyreair I do keep thinking it may be a prolapse of some kind? And I always have the incomplete ‘evacuation’ feeling. I will have to ask the GP when I see her at the end of the month.
Thanks Pixiedust1234 I will definitely mention it to the GP as it’s driving me insane.

Clear, in the clear, in the clear for what ?
Are you saying that clearly no other IBS medication could help, is that what clear means? Or does "in the clear" mean it's not piles?

lljkk - when the gastroenterologist performs colonoscopies, endoscopies and other tests they are obviously looking for disease of various descriptions. When I say ‘clear’, I mean the tests all came back clear from any organic disease or conditions.
I have tried all of the IBS medications available in the U.K. over the 25 years I have suffered and sadly none have given me lasting relief from my symptoms.

IBS & piles aren't health conditions...(?)

I hope you feel better soon, anyway.

Have you had an evaluation from a pelvic health physio - find a good women’s physio who specialises in this area.
It could be pelvic floor dysfunction or hypertonic pelvic floor which could cause the pain and also the urgency.

The bit about spending most of the day clenching (I feel that - been there).
Could mean the muscles are too tight and need to relax. Just an idea to investigate.

How are things now?

ive been having rectal pressure since February constantly, I’m 10 months post partum but also 4 months post appendix surgery. I know your pain, it’s exhausting and scary not knowing!!

I do suffer from haemorrhoids and have also had various investigations as you have (CT scans, sigmoidoscopy etc all fine). The only two things left to explore for me are pelvic floor issues and maybe scar tissue/adhesions from my surgery (I think pelvic floor is more likely). I’ve also developed IBS-c symptoms since my surgery, only things that help are water and fibre.