Alyssa,

The anal dilator set you got. Are the plugs made of soft material? Mine are hard plastic and I am a bit hesitant using them.

Those look similar to the ones my pt suggested but the look too big... Are you okay with using the first one? It is uncomfortable, painful? I had biofeedback (rectally) yesterday and I was in pain last night.. The probe is very little... Sore, sore, sore had to put nifedipine in today.

Alyssa,

I found this on the dilation regarding the puborectalis muscle. My colorectal surgeon has said my puborectalis in particular is my most spasmed muscle.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9102268

So far dilation and physiotherapy is giving me more pain. Well initially it gives me pain relief, then about 5-6 hours later the burning comes back.

However I am also in the process of reducing some of my pain meds, could be that in the mix as well.

Physical therapy did nothing long lasting for me... Botox has... My pain is now only at the internal sphincter band... Biofeedback had me flaring too... But I think about it like this "no pain no gain".

I am currently using the smallest sized dilator. I would rate the pain 7/10 inserting it, so I obviously need to loosen things up a bit down there. How long do people leave them in for?

How small would you say it is? I don't know how long you are supposed to leave it in there...

There is a great self dilation thread with lots of very good advice and it is a sticky, but you can post questions there too:

self-dilation-t4261.html

Hello all, I am still doing a minor dialtion with my pinky finger. I am just afraid to retear since I had fisstronmy. Spelling!

Sandman,

Be careful and make sure you use lubricant..