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Re: anal sphincter repair
From: Bethany (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 2 Jul 2000 14:43:22 -0500 (CDT)
Thank you for replying. I need relief so badly! Since writing the
message below I passed a very, very small amount of stool and it was
almost unbearable. And of course, I can't really wipe very well. I use
a peri bottle and shower spray, so the hair dryer idea sounds really
wonderful. I will do that immediately!!
I asked Claudia, but what exactly should I do for a sitz bath? Can I sit
in a shallow tub, or should I use a bowl? Is there anything I should put
in the water? And how long should I sit in the bath?
I'm glad to hear that a week isn't long enough to feel relief, as I
don't want anything to be "wrong", you know?
Thanks again. I know time will heal, but the waiting is just terrible.
I will never take these bodily functions for granted again!
Bethany
At Sun, 2 Jul 2000, William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG wrote:
>
>At Sun, 2 Jul 2000, Bethany wrote:
>>
>>I had a fourth degree episiotomy when I had my child 5 years ago. Since
>>then, I have had problems with anal incontinence. I finally had the
>>problem looked at and decided to have a repair done.
>>
>>I did the repair last week. The doctor and nurses said the repair went
>>very well. I have been very sore, but healing well. The main problem
>>is with elimination. To pass anything through the rectum is
>>excruciating. At first, even the smallest amount of gas was extremely
>>painful to pass. This has lessened, but I am finding it very difficult
>>to pass even the smallest amount of feces, which is VERY soft.
>>
>>I had diarrhea all day yesterday. My feces was like water almost and
>>was excruciating to pass.
>>
>>I am wondering when I can expect the pain of passing any fecal matter to
>>subside. Does the pain gradually dissipate, or will I notice a big
>>change all of a sudden? Also, is there anything I can do to make this
>>easier? I am taking pain medication, which is unfortunately constipating
>>(though I've not noticed that effect yet), but I absolutely could not
>>manage without it. Is it "normal" for it to be so excruciatingly
>>painful? I mean, do most women who go through this have this much pain?
>>My doctor told me to expect a lot of pain, so I know that I am "okay",
>>but I want to know if this is typical.
>>
>>Any and all advice would be so appreciated.
>>
>>Bethany
>Bethany
>
>I agree with Claudia, lots of water and the softner are mandatory. The
>sitz bath is also a great idea, and I also tell my patients to use their
>blow dryer to help dry the area. The warm, dry heat is wonderful to
>help stimulate those muscles.
>An anal sphincter repair is much like healing from an episiotomy, so the
>pain you are experiencing will be similar to that and last almost as
>long. Now, I do not know how extensive the repair was, but the more
>extensive, the more pain and the longer the time to heal. I think that
>at a week out you should still be very uncomfortable.
>Try the sitz baths, two to three times a day and give it a little more
>time. Good Luck
>
>--
>William F. von Almen, II, MD, FACOG
>Editorial Advisor-Pregnancy and Birth
>Private Practice
>New Orleans, La.
>
>*Please understand I can not respond to private emails.
>
>*These comments are for educational purposes only. They are
>not meant to take the place of an examination by a qualified
>health care provider. They are not intended to be the start
>of a physician-patient relationship.
>
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