Possible Misdiagnosis; Constipation, Hemorrhoids, Rectal Prolapse, or Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?

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Here is the link to my original post about my condition: https://patient.info/forums/discuss/what-is-this-that-i-m-dealing-with--684816?page=0#3404542

Since I posted this I have been doing more research about what my condition could possibly be in the meantime while still mustering up the courage to make an appointment and see the doctor. Long story short I came upon some links that basically convinced me that I am either dealing with a pelvic floor problem or a rectal prolapse, either an internal prolapse or a partial prolapse (I tried to sort of self examine but I cant tell if when I push any is coming through or if I'm feeling something else).

Here are the signs of a pelvic floor problem:

Common signs that can indicate a pelvic floor problem include:

accidentally leaking urine when you exercise, laugh, cough or sneeze

needing to get to the toilet in a hurry or not making it there in time

constantly needing to go to the  toilet

finding it difficult to empty your bladder or bowel

accidentally losing control of your bladder or bowel

accidentally passing wind

a prolapse

.in women, this may be felt as a bulge in the vagina or a feeling of heaviness, discomfort, pulling, dragging or dropping

.in men, this may be felt as a bulge in the rectum or a feeling of needing to use their bowels but not actually needing to go

pain in your pelvic area, or

painful sex.

I don't really have pain in the pelvic area and I have never experienced any pain during masterbation or anything like that. The symptoms that I have dealt with since this all started and still deal with are; leaking urine when exercising, laughing, coughing, or sneezing, needing to go to the toilet constantly, finding it difficult to empty the bladder or bowl, accidentally passing wind and the prolapse felt as bulge in the rectum and feeling of needing to use the bowels and often not needing to go. These and all of the other symptoms that I spoke of in the other post. The main concern as I said before is that bulge feeling which I can really feel when I move the penis and which also concerns me and causes me a lot of anxiety when it comes to sexual performance etc. Its as if there is something stuck that needs to be pushed out as well as the bulge feeling and it is tempting to push and sometimes I pass gas when doing so. That and the fact that masterbating seems to aggravate it and increase the need to pass gas especially when about to ejaculate.

Here is the bit from the prolapse article which first led me to believe that this might be what I'm dealing with;

“The symptoms of rectal prolapse tend to come on slowly. The first symptom you'll notice is the feeling that there is a bulge at your anus. It may seem as though you are sitting on a ball.

With a mirror, you may be able to see a reddish-colored bulge peeking through or actually extending out of your anus. Sometimes during a bowel movement, a small part of the rectum will emerge, but may retreat on its own or be easily pushed back into place.

Normal physical activity, such as walking, sitting, and exercising, may also cause part of the rectum to push through your anus. At first, it can be returned to its proper location by hand.

If rectal prolapse worsens, there could be bleeding from the inner lining of the rectum. In cases of partial or complete prolapse, you may have trouble controlling liquid or solid bowel movement and gas from your rectum.

Up to half of the people with rectal prolapse experience constipation, while others may have episodes of constipation and incontinence.”

The very first thing that I noticed back when all of this started was as I said before it felt as though something had dropped down from my stomach into the anus and the feeling that something was bulging out etc. Again there is no bleeding but everything else seems to line up with what I am dealing with. I tried looking with a mirror but I couldn’t tell anything.

Types

There are three types of rectal prolapse. The type is identified by the movement of the rectum:

Internal prolapse: The rectum starts to drop, but hasn’t yet pushed through the anus.

Partial prolapse: Only part of the rectum has moved through the anus.

Complete prolapse: The entire rectum extends out through the anus.

Based on this if a prolapse is what I’m dealing with it would either have to be an internal or partial prolapse. I searched images on Google and if it was a complete prolapse there would be no doubt whatsoever from what I have seen.

So my first question is would it be possible for a GP and a specialist urologist who both physically examined me with the glove to misdiagnose me and miss an internal prolapse? My next question is does it seem as though I am just simply dealing with constipation, or internal hemorrhoids, or pelvic floor issues or a prolapse? I realize that a prolapse is a symptom of pelvic floor problems but I’m wondering what the main issue is that’s causing me all of the problems. I also realize that internal prolapse and internal hemorrhoids can often be hard to distinguish, but how could either of those be mistaken for just constipation alone by two different doctors?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    just have a check up at the doctors. googling symptoms will lead to anxiety. and youll find that a lot of things have very similar symptoms

    • Posted

      You're absolutely right and I'm working up to it. Yes, I have found that a lot of things have nearly all of the same symptoms save a few different things.

  • Posted

    as to whether theyd be able to see the prolapse depends on the type of examination they do. externally they could feel the placement of your organs and maybe feel anything abnormal. internally they would like insert a finger to a probe into your anus and would likely feel any abnormalities.

    have you had your prostate checked? an enlarged one can affect the bladder and erections. based on your other post it does seem like Ibs. which would explain your constipation..anxiety can also affect your bowels. so please stop fretting and see a doctor. as youre doing yourself no good. and realistically you wont a proper diagnosis on google.

    • Posted

      Initially when all of this started, yes, both the GP and then the urologist both performed an internal examination on me with the gloved finger which is why I was curious if it would be possible that both of them could miss a partial or internal prolapse having examined me in that manner. What are your thoughts on that?

      Well, when the urologist did the physical examination he checked the prostate as well and I remember him saying out loud "the prostate is fine" and being that the symptoms haven't really changed all that much other than maybe slightly improving in a few areas I would assume that's not the case.

      Yeah, maybe you're right. Maybe it is just IBS. And you're absolutely right about seeing the doctor. I'm just working up to that at the moment as its not easy for me. Maybe in the meantime I'll stop searching online and just write down my symptoms and the things that I think it could possibly be to show the doctor when I get there.

      Thank you so much again for communicating with me about this. It is comforting and has helped the anxiety about it to ease to some degree.

    • Posted

      I thought so as well but I wasn't sure being that the symptoms seem to match up identically with a prolapse. Thank you again.

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