by Ever the Optimist » 31 May 2014, 15:13
Hi Alfa,
This has been a really great post - I am 99% convinced I suffer intermittent bouts of Levator Ani and your symptoms are identical to mine. It's not a constant thing but when I go through bad stages again, it's all you describe and I can't sit down comfortably at all in certain positions - worse in the evening always. It's that feeling of pressure just stuck in your backside and it drives me potty! Very interesting you write also about the nerve twinges to the left side of your anus! I also get these too on & off......I'm a real stress head and I can become obsessive in my thinking and very anxious. At my worse with it all, they put me on Sertraline too, which I'm now off now I'm feeling pretty much my old self again....I guess you were prescribed these to help reduce some off the emotional stress of it all and to bring you back into a calmer state - I am very thankful they worked for me, although did not "cure" any of the symptoms.
I'm also in the UK and not actually discussed this issue yet but I am very interested in looking at some of the pelvic floor therapy techniques to see what relief they can bring.
Interestingly, Apes mentions Acupuncture. I started this myself a month ago and where I've not noticed any difference in some of the old fissure inflammation symptoms that happen now & again, what I have noticed is a noticeable improvement with the LA symptoms - reduced considerably! But considering that tension makes things so much worse down there generally, it makes sense that Acupuncture is possibly helping as it seeks to rebalance energy in the body, ensure it flows smoothly and reduce associated tension & anxiety.......I'd say if you can find an accredited Acupuncturist and affordable treatment, give it a go :)
Chronic Fissure diagnosed December 2011
Healed by Diltiazem around Feb 2013
Anal Fistula followed burst abscess in June 2012
2 internal troublesome piles remain & suspected, but undiagnosed, ongoing Levator Ani type symptoms & flare-ups