Embarrassing one

[makemineadecaf]

I keep getting spells of awful internal anal pain. It gnaws and throbs for days at a time. Uniroid is the only thing to take the edge off.

I’ve paid privately to see a colorectal surgeon who said externally everything looks ok, no obvious piles/fissures, digital exam is normal and I even paid for an mri which was all clear too to check for fistula. Nothing.

No bleeding. Doing the obvious things like keeping up fibre etc.

what could it be? My mind is scaring me.

im sorry it sounds awful!!

you paid privately to see a colorectal surgeon, did they not suggest what it could be or who wise you should see??

id be starting there! Plus GP.

Javelin arse? Does it link with periods at all?

Javelin arse is short lived . This lasts several days.

surgeon said it may be related to my scar tissue from childbirth (15 years ago!) but I’m not convinced. It’s not on the perineum. It’s internal.

Have you discussed this with your GP? If it feels like an internal pain, you may need to have a colonoscopy as external causes have been ruled out. I'm surprised the surgeon didn't suggest this tbh.

He did suggest it as a “we could try…” but I can’t afford it and am not insured so would need a referral on nhs.

I think his lack of commitment was because I had a full mri which was clear

I would still suggest you see your GP. You haven't mentioned how this affects your bowel motions and this can be one of the key symptoms. Although your MRI may rule out something like a tumour there are other more subtle things it can't pick up, like inflamarory bowel disease (IBD) (not to be confused with IBS). Colonoscopy services are usually all done under the two week wait as so many of the symptoms overlap with possible cancer symptoms. I know it's embarassing but you need to see your GP.

I’ve asked the gp for a referral. Made the mistake of googling colonoscopy though.

Have you got endometriosis?

I get this and was told by my gp it's probably a muscle spasm. I push my bum hard onto my mattress and it goes away. Mines doesn't last for days though.

No but I do wonder. I have very heavy periods so gave a scan for that next month

And actually this current flare falls over ovulation. So I suppose it’s got legs that it could be endometriosis. But I’m 37 with three kids, wouldn’t I know already?

OP I seem to remember your exact symptoms being discussed on here on another thread a while ago - it was the 'javelin arse' that rang a bell! Let me see if I can find it...

I had this with endometriosis, was extremely painful and I was only stage 1.
Don’t think would show on a scan.

Your doctor sounds rubbish.
O would be asking for gynaecology referral especially with heavy bleeding

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_health/5164667-javelin-arse-aka-proctalgia-fugax

I don't know if this is exactly what you have, but might be worth reading the other posts....

I'm sorry you have this pain - it sounds horrendous!

No, you wouldn’t definitely know.

I knew I got pain but it wasn’t until I had hysterectomy (for fibroids and extremely heavy bleeding) that they saw the endo.

My sister has endo much worse than me and even with that history it never came up till then.

Women’s healthcare is shocking

OP I have had a colonoscopy recently for similar symptoms - however they don't sound as severe as yours. I sit on the sofa or in bed for large amounts of time these days as I'm semi retired and presumed it was that (I call it a 'numb bum' feeling). My GP said she could feel a tiny anal 'ridge' so referred me for the colonoscopy. Result came back as haemorrhoids. Nobody has explained why this has happened or what size or how exactly they/it is causing me discomfort. I asked my GP whether it is just that the veins 'move south' like everything when your my age (late 50's) and she said yes. I also haven't discussed with her that I find it more difficult to have a clean bottom after having a #2, but nothing moist toilet paper won't solve and I will have that conversation on another day when I'm feeling up to it!
Nothing external to see whatsoever!

Thanks I do happen to have a referral for an internal scan next month re heavy periods. I thought it was a separate issue but maybe it’s linked.

I saw a gynae today and was scanned. I have adenomyosis. Unrelated to op issue but a finding nonetheless

I had similar, every few months for years, I would be in agony for a couple of days then it would just stop. No physical problems found on any tests. Then they referred me to women’s physio, I was sceptical but turns out I really am that anxious that my body had got into the habit of going into muscle spasm any time I was stressed or run down/ill (originally started after a stressful case of food poisoning I think). The physio was a miracle worker and I haven’t had a flare up for two years now (touch wood!)!

Could it be Levator Ani syndrome? A relative of mine has this and the symptoms sound similar to yours.

It could be related. I just read your OP and thought it sounded like my adenonyosis. Gives you anal pain as well as more obvious gynaecological pain. The problem is that it hasn’t been studied so medical professionals think it is painless when not bleeding (not true for the vast majority of women I know with it).