I could wipe all day and still not be clean... help! - Bowel Disorders Message Board

Goldie_Locks_5 · 06-21-2008, 09:49 AM

Ever since the 4th degree tear I suffered during child birth I have had bowel issues. Instead of getting better over the past year I feel it has gotten worse.

After a BM, I have to wipe constantly- and still, bm shows up on the tissue.... Even showering doesn't get me clean- b/c there seems to be some bm still stuck in the rectum, but I have no urge to go and can't push it out.

I have a bad feeling I will eventually need to have surgery on my sphincter - because I can feel that it just doesn't seem right... but I can't go through that now with a toddler and hopefully another baby in the next year. (I plan to have a c-section so I don't risk tearing again and losing all control of bowels- as per a friend's advice who is a colorectal surgeon). That type of surgery looks to be years off for me, logistically.

Anyhow... any advice on what to do? I take Immodium every night to try and make my BMs harder- because then I don't have the wiping problem... but even Immodium doesn't help now.

I have called to make a GI appointment, and am waiting for them to call me back. Thought I'd look for some advice here.

This has caused me a lot of pain- emotionally and physically in the area. I don't want to have sex with my husband much because I never feel clean and I worry about pushing BM bacteria into my other areas during sex.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you so much!

Lizardwoman85 · 06-21-2008, 06:51 PM

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I have the same problem and currently am being treated for a fissure. I wouldn't recommend letting it continue though. If it has become this big of a problem for you, you really should consider surgery. Find a way to have it done. There is always a way. Plus I heard recovery isn't really that bad...like 1 to 2 weeks off from work and only a little longer for a complete recovery. I'm probably going to be going in for the same surgery before the end of next month.

Goldie_Locks_5 · 06-21-2008, 07:09 PM

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Thanks for replying. Was your damage caused by childbirth, too?

I would get the surgery done now- but I hope to get pg in the coming months, and won't have enough time to take off for a surgery if I do get pg in the same year.

It took me a good 8w to be able to walk and stand for any amount of time after giving birth... I would hope that the surgery wouldn't be so long, but I can't take the chance, since my job requires that I am on my feet and walking a lot during the day (i'm in phamra sales)... so being out for a long time hurts me financially as well.... I am hoping once my 2nd child can walk then I could have the surgery... but the thought of waiting so long pains me, too.

beachlovr · 06-22-2008, 12:28 AM

You need to ask all of these questions on the thread here entitled "I Survived Sphincteroplasty Part 8."

Lizardwoman85 · 06-22-2008, 08:05 PM

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Goldie_Locks5,

No, mine was actually caused by GI complications after having my gallbladder removed....it's a long story actually.

Please be careful if you are going to wait that long. The problem with tears/fissures is that the longer they go on, the higher the possibility of serious complications. If I were you I would put off the pregnancy thing for a little longer and taker care of this first. It is up to you in the end, but i personally wouldn't let this go on for over another year.