Hi all, I'm hoping someone here can help me. I've been suffering from anal pain for nearly two years now. During my last consultation I was advised that my problems are muscular (I.e. The muscles down there are too tight and that is what is causing me discomfort). I was prescribed Amitryptiline and rectogesic and told to avoid constipation. Well I'm been following this advice for several months, and whilst things aren't as bad as there were, it still feels horribly tight down there, and v uncomfortable at times. I figure as this is muscular there may be ways of massaging the problem area to gradually losen the muscles, but I don't know how. The dr shave said this should improve with time, but given that I have been suffering for nearly two years I am starting to wonder. Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks

I used (and quite a few others too) self dilation. Search for dilation using the search facility (next to FAQ above). Eventually I gave up and just concentrated on using enough fibre for my body weight and making sure I drank enough water. It has helped, but I still get pain from time to time. I also take milk of magnesia and drink a small amount of prune juice.

Hi, I use dilation. It's was quite uncomfortable at first. I had to start my one week after double advancement flap surgery. It does get easier though. I do it once a day and it makes a huge difference. It's also great for spasming. If you're able to stretch that muscle when it's spasming it helps break the spasm.

I was referred to a pelvic floor therapist and she has given me exercises to loosen up the muscles down there. Look up pelvic floor dysfunction for more information.

Perhaps getting a referral to a neurologist...

Alyssa, I think a lot of us have tried pelvic floor therapy - bio feedback. Cherylk, one of our original members, attended Mayo Clinic - and had success - with this. I believe she has Crohn's too as a complication.

Suzy, glad you are doing well. I have had to give up on the dilation. Just too difficult for me to do:(

Also Alyssa, here is an article I put up on here about chronic anal pain that is worth a read. I do wish there was more on this type of pain out there:

Chronic Anal Pain Management
An interesting link for those of us suffering from pain that just will not leave!  
http://www.theiaforum.org/Article_Folde ... l-pain.pdf

Have you tried nifedipine? It actually relaxes the sphincter muscles and works really well after about a month of continually applying.

Savaici,

Thank you for the article..

http://www.theiaforum.org/Article_Folde ... l-pain.pdf