anal stenosis :
I was wondering if anyone here has this problem. I believe that I now have it due to a hemmorioductmy(sp) that I had alot of problems healing from. I had surgury 13 weeks ago and although I am feeling better, I still have a little pressure almost constantly. when i am not taking medamucil and its my day to go # 2 i usually go maybe 3 times and they are not stools like I had before my surgury they are thin and about 3-4 inches long and quite a few of them. and I do have some blood almost every time I go to the bathroom.
I hate to go back to the surgon and have him do an exam to tell me what I probably allready know. Im just wondering what I can do and if this may clear up on its own with time!

Well-- as youknow anal stenosis is the narrowing of the anus usually caused by hemorrhoid surgery-- the scar tissure that is formed.
I think it's best to have your surgeon have a look but after what he did -- like me I never wanted to see him again. But -- it does not clear up on it's own -- you just need a larger anus to pass normal size stools.

You should be taking psyllium to have a well formed stool.

Hi Harry thanks for your reply.. i was begginning to wonder if I was going to get any reply's. Anyway I will try that stuff that you mentioned. I sometimes take a teaspoon of medamucil at nights and it helps to give a somewhat formed stools nothing like what I had before though. I remember about 4 days or so after my hemm surgury I had a bm that was of normal size and VERY long and I didnt have to push whatsoever after that I had straight diarrea for about hmm at least a month. everyday usually 3, 4 times a day. Then when I finally cut everything out (stool stofners and medamucil) things got a little better but still no where near normal. My stools are like 4 inches long and skinny and alot of them So thats why I think I have this condition. Anyway... my next question is what kind of treatmet would they do for this stenosis? Do you know?

Yes----Well, if you really have a narrowed anus then it needs to be enlarged. But, you need an EXAM first-- After you are examined and if the narrowing is caused by scar tissure then -- it needs to be removed--- surgically but it is an Office/ clinic type procedure and then the anus is dialated. You can't live your life like a constipated person.

I have not had it done and I am sure it's not a pleasant experience.

I take my fiber twice daily-- so I have normal stools for a long time now. I need about 8 grams of psyllium daily for normal stool with the way I eat.

I would suggest that you first give fiber -- Psyllium /Meamucil a try to see if you can produce normal stools with it--- psyllium is a bulking agent by absorbing fluids and don't take a stool softener.

You may not know it but too much INSOLUBLE fiber in your diet will produce BMs that are narrower and thinner and loose. I read about it alot on this board. You really need a combination of soluble fiber and insoluble fiber ---25 to 35 grams daily. Also make sure you drink enough water both with psyllium and daily so you don't get constipated.--- That is a major cause of hemorrhoids in the first place and you can get them again!!!

Insoluble fiber is all fruits and veggies (except the root veggies like potatoes, carrots, beets and turnips even chicory root called Inulin ), all nuts & seeds and the out side part of grains (bran) and the outter part of beans & peas.

All meats, seafood and all dairy products contain NO fiber but of course you need the protein.

I hope this helps~~~~Harry

PS -- Most normal people don't know what stenosis is but it is frequently miss diagnosed. And, If you have anymore Questions -- Ask-- I have been here a long time.

harry is right to a point,i been in that situation and fiber is great but if your
rectum is too tight or narrow,the stool will be to big to pass and you will bleed no matter what. you will need to address two issues first is to eat
a diet that has enough for stools to pass so you will not bleed, take colace
so the stools will pass with out bleeding, protein shakes, salads ,veg soups
next see a colorectal surgeon i would do surgery to relax the syphincter instead of dilation, because you have scar tissue and it has to bra removed . a good surgeon will explain this too you ,you are cause more scarring every time you bleed ,get it fix right away.

Surely if a person has surgery to relax the sphincter muscle this will create more scar tissue???

I am be far out here as it isn't something that i have alot of knowledge of but, with dialation doesn't involve cutting does it???? but where as surgery does, therefore wont more scar tissue form??

I understand that with dialation a person will bleed, but this will be superficial and once healed the scabs (if any) will far off like all scabs do. Therefore with it only being superficial the scar tissue will be minimal compared to surgery to relax the muscle. Feel free to correct me if i am wrong.

Also with surgery to relax the muscle (this i am sure of) many people experience enbarrassing leakage afterwards andthe urge for the toilet becomes much worse.

I also had hemorrhoid surgery in August of 2005 that resulted in anal stenosis. My surgery did not heal so I was referred to another specialist. He is certified by the American Rectal and Colon Surgeon. He has been dilating me since Dec. of 2005. Tomorrow (Nov.15) is my 19th appointment for dilation. I already had about 15 times being dilated with no improvement. He is now suggesting surgery (cutting the sphincter muscle) which I am adamant to have fearfull of possible fecal incontinence. I had been using Metamucil for more than a year now and tired of its contents except pysillium (food coloring,artificial flavor and aspartame). I still cannot produce the bulk I need to open my rectum no matter how much Metamucil I take. From time to time I had bleeding specially after dilation. I now have to make decision if I could live with this abnormal bm. or submit myself to surgery. Dilation is really painful, and for me, with no positive result. Is there anybody with this kind of surgery?
To those with the same problem, be informed that my surgeon prohibits eating nuts, seeds,cheese and spicy foods.

Harry: What kind of foods have soluable fiber in them?

Thank you for all that good info ! :)

seolfor,

Soluble fiber are basically foods that absorb fluids.
The inner parts of grains like rice, corn, barley, oats and wheat--- the outer bran is insoluble. Also the inner parts of beans and peas except green beans are insoluble.
Also, most root veggies absorb fluids like potatoes, carrots, beets, and turnips and are all soluble fiber foods.

Their is a fiber called "Inulin" that is derived from chicory root and is added to many foods even the yogurt (Stonyfield Farm) I eat that is soluble fiber-- FiberChoice is also made with this type of soluble fiber.

Harry