About a year ago, I started having this issue where when I am about to make a BM, as the bowel is about to exit, my rectal muscles tighten up and then I have to really focus to relax and let it pass. On firmer bowels its less of an issue, but on looser ones it becomes an issue as I never feel like I passed it as it doesnt all exit. I have some anxiety as I have had hemmorhoids and a fissure once, so slightly nervous to force at all. However, I know something is not right. This also happens sometimes when I pass gas.
Was curious if this is a real issue or just mental and something I need to work through?
Would you say that you are having the feeling of an incomplete evacuation? You are wise not to strain or push too hard, as this will certainly aggravate your hemmorhoids and fissure problems. It is possible you might have the start of an Internal Rectal Prolapse, but this would need to be checked out by a Colon/Rectal Specialist. My prolapse problem is under control at the moment by Citrucel to prevent constipation, plus the 25 grams of fiber, 64 oz water, plenty of walking and so far it is working.
I feel like this is the same thing that is happening to me which results in a discomforting incomplete evacuation feeling. Somedays it's worse then others. Could this really be the sign of an internal rectal prolapse? I've been checked by my doctors a few times and they couldn't tell me I had anything wrong, but I read something recently that says a rectal prolapse can be more prominent at certain times. Does this result in any incomplete evacuation for you?
Yes, sometimes its the feeling of an incomplete evacuation, but only when its the softer/looser ones. If its a firm one, then typically its ok because I can relax after the initial tightening on the way out to let it pass. I NEVER force anymore, and always check afterwards when I'm home and haven't seen a hemmorhoid in a long time!
Its just strange that the muscles tighten on the way out, why would that be a sign of internal rectal prolapse?
I'm wondering if this has to do with anxiety, because often times I notice that I'm tightening these muscles for no reason.
(I just had a loose stool and while I feel there was a bit more to pass, I don't have that feeling of pressure and need to, but can't go)
Last edited by TooheyNew; 10-22-2011 at 09:13 AM.
Reason: update on incomplete evacuation
Also, there are times when I may miss a day or two (i think due to anxiety/stress from work), but I always drink plenty of water and eat plenty of vegetables/fruit so that when its ready, while large, it never requires forcing as passes smoothly. I know its from stress/anxiety at work, because I rarely miss a day on a weekend when I'm home and relaxed.
About a year ago, I started having this issue where when I am about to make a BM, as the bowel is about to exit, my rectal muscles tighten up and then I have to really focus to relax and let it pass. On firmer bowels its less of an issue, but on looser ones it becomes an issue as I never feel like I passed it as it doesnt all exit. I have some anxiety as I have had hemmorhoids and a fissure once, so slightly nervous to force at all. However, I know something is not right. This also happens sometimes when I pass gas.
Was curious if this is a real issue or just mental and something I need to work through?
Any advice helpful!
There could be a physical reason for it so you should have it checked out by gastroenterologist just to make sure. If you're too anxious and stressed when you are trying to have a bowel movement then it tightens up all your muscles. Try listening to relaxing music and do slow deep breathing exercises and it will actually help you to have a bowel movement. I use slow deep breathing exercises every day to have a bowel movement because I have chronic constipation problems and this is the only way I have found to keep my bowels moving without the use of stimulant laxatives and suppositories. It will help your overall general anxiety at the same time. Hemorrhoids and fissures are usually caused by excessively straining and trying to force hard dry stool out. To keep your stool soft eat a high fiber diet and drinks lots of water like 64 oz. a day and take a fiber supplement twice a day.
