Hello all,

I've seen my surgeon this morning for rectal pain I've been qexperiencing the last 4 months.

I've recently had a fistulotomy let month and a couple of thrombosed hemorrhoids, but my surgeon believes neither of these would be contributing to the tight, pressure, slight burning pain I experience for a few hours straight each day.

Upon a digital rectal exam in the office the surgeon stated my surgical wound is healing nicely and the hemorrhoids so not look or feel problematic. He feels I may be having some muscle spasms and arranged to have and MRI.

Anyone have an MRI around their pelvic region? Is the procedure effective in diagnosing problems of the prostate, rectum, and pelvic musculature, tendons and ligaments?

Any experiences, thoughts, and advice is appreciated.

I had two MRI scans of my pelvic region - both were negative. I.e. no abnormalities were found.

It can be quite a stressful experience, though I found it not too bad - listened to music for most of the time, when the deafening clanging and banging were not getting in the way. :)

Perhaps the most difficult thing is the need to lie still and not succumb to feelings of claustrophobia - again, I found the music helped with that.

I still suffer on and off with chronic rectal pain, though it's not as bad as it was a few years ago.

Thank you.

So the MRI came back negative.

Any thoughts on why I'm still having the pain a few hours after a bm?

Could it be pain from the site of the fistulotomy (it's been 2 months almost healed)?

Would an MRI show a fissure, fistula, hemorrhoids, or pelvic floor issues if I had such?

mike1971 wrote:So the MRI came back negative.

Any thoughts on why I'm still having the pain a few hours after a bm?

Could it be pain from the site of the fistulotomy (it's been 2 months almost healed)?

Would an MRI show a fissure, fistula, hemorrhoids, or pelvic floor issues if I had such?

I'm afraid the truth of the matter appears to be that once there's trouble "down there", it is very hard to get rid of it. And the pain tends to be stubborn, recurrent and sometimes even persistent. One doesn't want to be too pessimistic, and some people report an almost complete recovery from the condition - but perhaps it's best to be realistic. An MRI scan ought to show most irregularities, though in some respects it may possibly not be as accurate as an internal camera scan (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy).

Thanks for your reply dmcff.

I don't know whether to be happy or disappointed in the results. I almost surely thought I had a pelvic floor ( or internal and external sphincter) issue.

Is it possible I still do even though the MRI says not?

Fact is, I am still experiencing pain in my rectum around bowel movements. Lately I can feel the sensation of having to go for a bowel movement 3 to 4 hours ahead of time. I've been constipated lately and then I have the rectal pain 5 or 6 hours after a bm, which lasts another 4 or 5 hours.........

I would be happy with the results of your MRI scan - they mean that there is probably nothing seriously wrong in organic terms.

The pain could be caused by levator spasms - particularly if you experience it around bowel movements. There are pelvic floor relaxation exercises that may help with this (Google is your friend), but I'm not a medical professional - suggest you seek advice from your surgeon or physical therapist. Hope you feel better soon.

dmcff, I notice you've had 2 MRI'S. Did they disclose anything?

Also, does anyone know if an MRI would show any muscles in spasm? That is? if they were in spasm at the time of the MRI?

No, my MRI scans didn't disclose anything abnormal. I don't think an MRI would show muscles in spasm, by the way, but that's just my guess.

Incidentally, I'm still bothered almost daily by intense discomfort in my rectum, though it's lessened by sitting down. It's worst at night. No creams, ointments, or exercises seem to help, and now I'm waiting for another biofeedback session, which won't happen until early August.

I have similar pain and doctor said my hems is too small to cause,the pain. but,my pain got severe when i sit on chair. i also have pelvic floor dysfunction with tense muscle. The pelvic floor relaxation yoga helps a little bit.