Could it be a rectal issue?

[whatsgoingonwitymybum]

ill try and make this brief…

Have gastrointestinal issues and had many tests, but this symptom has flared up again and it’s very embarrassing and am wondering if it’s a rectal issue.

i was found to have some mild rectal inflammation on colonoscopy last year but nothing linked to the symptoms.

The symptoms are - and it flares rather than being continual.

insane amount of wind / farting
if I can get to the loo I will fart it out but it’s explosive and mucous/a bit of poo comes out (but like pebble dashing)
If I can’t go to the loo the wind will come out anyway - thankfully not smelly, but it’s loud
i can’t let it ‘go’ like a normal fart or I’ll shart
if that goes in for loo long then some mucous can start to leak (not sure if it’s mucous but it’s liquid)

i can’t feel a prolapse but I read they can be internal. Would a colonoscopy 100% pick it up?

I’ve spoken to GP and gastroenterologists about this and they have never mentioned a physical cause at all. I’m 55 and I’d say it’s been going on for 2-3 years now.

I am sorry your are struggling with this, I can offer some solidarity because I suffer from the exact same issue.

I have had IBS for many, many years but this issue has become worse since my late 40's/early 50's. (I am 53). The gas is awful despite following a strict low fodmap diet and avoiding all gas forming foods. I spend my whole day worrying I may soil myself and I am so gassy. I have tried medication and off the shelf stuff but nothing helps.

I have had endless tests including colonoscopies, scans and even a pill camera endoscopy but nothing found. I do have endometriosis and adenomyosis and a very retroverted uterus although no prolapses seen on a recent MRI scan but I can not find any health professional to acknowledge the possible links with my bowel/rectal issues and my gynae problems as nothing is seen infiltrating my bowel so they are not concerned.

I have a pelvic physio appointment in December to see if I may have some issues there, I am living in hope this may help. Have you seen a pelvic floor physio? You can self refer, that's what I have done, I have bypassed my GP as she is of no help to me.

I feel for you, it's no fun is it?

@KiwiGolden- thanks so much for your understanding post and so sorry you suffer too.

I’m sure I have IBS but I don’t really have extreme diahhorea or constipation- just the wind issue. I used to get really bad trapped wind which was mega-painful but now it just comes out instead!

I try to avoid major gas forming foods but I already need to restrict my diet due to acid reflux (which is less bothersome when I go out, but more dangerous in terms of long-term effects). what foods do you totally avoid and you think it helps?

I think I will go back to the GP soon and they can at least do a rudimentary examination and I will say- you referred me to gastroenterology but as there’s no concrete explanation could it be a localised rectal problem and see what she says as although I’ve had about a 3-month reprieve (prob the longest I’ve had), it’s back again with a vengeance!

I am the same, I don't have terrible issues with diarrhoea or constipation which is why I have always questioned the IBS diagnosis and don't really buy into it. Gas is one of my main issues. I also have acid issues too but again no test has found anything.

I have recently been doing some research and I am starting to wonder if I actually have low stomach acid which may be preventing my food from breaking down properly and therefore causing all this gas to build up in my gut and intestinal area (just a theory but you never know?!). The advice is to try Betaine HCL, I will try low and slow though as I don't want to exacerbate my acid issues.

I also struggle to burp and I think the gas gets trapped then works it way downwards. It often sits in the last part of my colon and rectal area causing so much pressure that I often have to run to the loo but it's just gas most of the time. I hate that feeling when I am out as I get panicky I may soil myself (thankfully, never have).

Did you do anything different in your routine during that reprieve? I had a great respite from it all in May and June of this year when I started a low dose of Nortriptyline but it sadly only lasted those two months and it came back worse than ever.

Good luck with it all, I hope you manage to get somewhere with it all.

@KiwiGolden
GPs have mentioned IBS but I’m not sure.

Recently SIBO and leaky gut were mentioned by a leading gastroenterologist so I’m having a SIBO test next month and I supplement with Rezcue powders. I did have a few days break from them on a recent trip abroad so I am wondering if being off them meant the wind returned. I stated to take zinc carnosine about 6 months ago and then started Rezcue a couple of months ago maybe?

Be v careful with the HCL - as you know you’re introducing more acid - true low acidity is very rare (I’ve done a lot of research in to acid reflux.)

good luck to you too.