Rectal pain pressure

Hi all I would really appreciate your thoughts/experience. Since mid December I have been feeling a pressure like feeling in back passage area along with straining when I pass stools. There is intermittent mild pain almost like a pulsating pain. I have had streaks of bright red blood on toilet paper a couple of times but no bleeding from rectum or mixed in with poo. I Constantly feel as though I haven’t full evacuated and like something is stuck there. I have had bouts of diarrhoea in between but they usually only last for a few hours or at most a day. What is concerning me is that my stools are thinner not pencil thin or ribbon like but definitely narrower. I have suffered from bowel issues for Years especially constipation but GP always put it down to IBS and advised to drink more water and increase fiber intake. My GP doesn’t take me at seriously and puts my symptoms down to stress/anxiety So earlier this month I self referred to a colorectal surgeon whom I saw a couple of weeks ago. He said that although my symptoms are “vague” he is concerned about the pressure I’m experiencing. so I will be having MRI and scope but on NHS as I cannot afford private investigations. When I asked him if I should be worried he said at present time it’s impossible for him to say. I am stressing myself out as I work in cancer services and so am convincing myself it’s either anal or rectal cancer! I suffer from anxiety and in particular health anxiety I know google doesn’t help but only thing To explain my symptoms is the big C word...I’m due to start a new job in 2 weeks timing couldn’t be worse. All thoughts and advice welcome.

Parents
  • Thanks for reply fats...I don’t have any external poles not sure whether there are any internal though. Yes the pain is like a dull kind of ache but more of a pulsating/throbbing kind of pain rather than sharp. Pain is intermittent and infrequent and only lasts for a few seconds with intervals. It’s not a constant pain but comes and goes. The pain is not so concerning for me more I’m more worried about the pressure sensation which is there all the time. I am going to be investigated but as I had initially seen the colorectal surgeon privately and now having the tests done on NHS it’s going to be a bit of a delay getting the ball rolling. I do hope it is a polyp!

  • Hi, 

    Did you ever get any answers as your symptoms are almost exactly like mine!

    Stef

  • Yes it does and also if I press next to my anus where the pressure pain is that feels better as well when I press it in, so odd

  • I think you are very tense in the pelvis. Do you suffer from obstructive defecation? 

  • Yes I had googled that thanks and read up on it  and it seemed to describe the same type of symptoms I have but just not sure how to fix it , and if it's now starting to appear when I am in bed  I don't understand why or how I can feel I need a poo the moment I wake up that's why it worries me.  I do remember having a pain like this years ago but it was not as severe or didnt last as long but I think I recall it was from using a vibrapower machine where you sit on it to tone your bum muscles

  • Not sure I have always suffered with constipation and have to strain to go and as a consequence have had internal & external piles in the past 

  • Sounds like tension caused by strees

  • Thank you I will try that as oddly when I do bend over and stretch it seems to be not so bad as if it's stretching the muscle, I will also try warm baths . If all else fails will try to see a gp next week 

  • I get this when I'm stressed. The birth of my daughter was the last time I had it. Then had 10 months with no problems until last month I was stressed at work and felt a twinge. Now it's back. But I'm doing the worst thing by googling. I had a few beers last night and it went away almost completely. I think it's the internal anal sphincter in constant spasm because it thinks we are going to *** ourselves. Are you anxious or worried about anything before all this started? Are you worried about cancer? Do you mind if I ask how old you are? 

  • I am 52, not worried or stressed ,I was fine until I did 3 consecutive days of exercise so it has to be something to do with that which has brought it on but yes I do agree it's as if it's the anal sphincter in spasm and then tightness in the glutes area of the bottom so 2 things going here which is what makes it harder to understand, the only odd thing was the feeling of needing a poo when I woke can't see how that would have anything to do with either of the 2 symptoms. But being sat on an office chair all day isn't helping me either I'm better standing up.  The trouble with google is that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and can have you self diagnosing all sorts and then worrying about it.

  • Following up. I have a lump which needs investigating with an MRI scan next week. A polyp was found but doctors don't think that's the cause of the pain. Will wait and see now. Could be something in the bowel area which is pressing on a nerve. It's taking months of referrals and waiting for results, which I feel anxious about. Can't say any more at the moment. 

Reply
  • Following up. I have a lump which needs investigating with an MRI scan next week. A polyp was found but doctors don't think that's the cause of the pain. Will wait and see now. Could be something in the bowel area which is pressing on a nerve. It's taking months of referrals and waiting for results, which I feel anxious about. Can't say any more at the moment. 

Children