Re: GYNECOLOGIC: Rectocele diagnosis
From: Amy Rosenman, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 17 May 2009 16:20:45 -0500 (CDT)
Message posted on Amy Rosenman, M.D. behalf by: Hope Waltman, Women’s
Health Forum Moderator
The only useful imaging for this is dynamic MRI which is only done in
research centers or Defacography. Surgery properly done will likely
improve the situation. Normalizing the stool with metamucil might
help, or a constipating agent as it sounds like there is some
irritable bowel as well.
--
Amy Rosenman, M.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor GYN
Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Santa Monica, California
http://www.obgyn.net/meet.asp?page=/all_advisors/A_Rosenman
Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes
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relationship. This information is not intended to supplant
the need for you to consult with your physician prior to
choosing therapeutic options and/or interventions.
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At Sun, 10 May 2009, Ann wrote:
>
>Hello - I am currently dealing with some unpleasant symptoms following
>4th degree birth damage and am told that I may have a rectocele. I have
>a lot of difficulty with incomplete bowel evacuation and 'leaking'
>throughout the day which I suspect is from 'trapped' matter that won't
>come all the way out when I go.
>
>I do not have a definitve diagnosis of a rectocele at this time, though
>I have been seen by a pelvic fllor specialist, a colorectal surgeon and
>several others. What's been advised is that I insert a finger into my
>vagina when I need to move my bowels, press back toward my rectum and
>downward to help facilitate gettting things out. It sounded strange to
>me, but I'll try anything to see some improvement. I'm told that if
>this seems to work, that we can proceed with a surgical proceedure to
>firm up the posterior vaginal wall. I am wondering what other
>diagnostics would be in order before moving on to surgery? I have asked
>about imaging such as a ultrasound but the surgeon I am seeing has said
>that won't help him.
>
>I also have a chronic fissure which seems to be exacerbated by the
>leaking issue. On the rare days that I can evacuate completely and
>effectively and the leaking does not occur (ironically, these are days
>when my bowels are larger and harder) the fissure is not painful.
>
>I'm hoping to gain some insight on what else I could ask about for
>diagnostics or untapped possibilities before going to a surgical
>proceedure. I feel like moving ahead with a surgery when nobody is sure
>what's wrong with me is a less than comfortable plan.
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