I know that anal fissures are supposed to spasm, but I've never really thought of mine behaving in that manner.

I can have very painful bowel movements, that are usually followed by extreme pain that lasts for 5 - 8 hours, and then drops to a mid-level pain for another 5 - 8 hours after that. The pain is a constant burn though, as if my bum hole is on fire, but if I put my finger up against the anal opening, I can just barely feel a pulse-like throb. To me, a spasm is something like a fist clenching, unclenching, clenching, unclenching, over and over again, but mine is one long, long, long stretch (hours upon hours) of searing pain. Another forum member likened his spasm to a leg cramp, but that to me, too, is not an on and off pain. When I've had a cramp in my calf, for instance, it seizes up and doesn't let go for even a second. There is no squeeze, relief, squeeze, relief, etc.

Could other members share their spasm experiences please?

Spasms for me feel like burning. When a muscle contracts for a very long period of time there is inflammation, poor blood circulation and a build up of lactic acid. Also, nerves become irritated by all this and I think this can give the burning sensation. That's my two cents anyway...

Yes, I agree with msimon. Spasms don't have to be on-off-on. For me too it was a continuous burning, or sometimes a lot of prickly burning, as if there was a sparkler going off inside my butt.
It took me a while to realise that this is what people mean by "spasm". Basically, the spasms are the pains that go on and on and on long after the BM.

Thank you both for your replies. I had always defined the word spasm as an on and off thing, but according to dictionary .com there are two type (tonic and clonic - who knew?) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/spasm?s=t

spasm - what hell feels like. Like a knife cutting over and over again inside the anus. And burning. O_o Pain I'll never forget as long as i live.

My spasms were like glass moving around in the anus. Burning and knife like pain as soey described. It would last for hours (as many as 6 or more) when it was really bad. It felt like something was throbbing inside. It was friggin terrible and if I experience it again I would buy painkillers off the street if I had to. I am in no way suicidal but I was talking about throwing myself in the pool when it happened. (We happened to be in Florida on vacation at the time. Don't even ask how the heck I got there. Worst vacation ever.) I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone.

Another vote here for the constant burning pain in the rectum! Do you ever get that burning pain deep inside your shoulders after you've done a long drive? I believe it's the same, muscle spasm, bit in the shoulders.

Look up "levator ani syndrome".

Try this next time you have that pain that last hours after your BM. Lie down somewhere comfortable and relaxing and gently massage the area between the anus and your privates. It may feel quite solid as you first start massaging but within just a few seconds you should feel it relax and you should get some relief from the pain.

Hope you feel better soon x

I always thout a spasm was an unintentional "squeeze release" type thing with your sphincter - I've never had it just my burning/tugging pain throughout the day. it's just a consant for me.

Hi all,
No release for hours after BM, knives moving, burning, tightness and feels like a brick passing through a pin hole on BM. And just makes you want to die........ Ugh.

Hear sometimes helps, but why doesn't any medication get to the pain??

Rachael x

I'm so glad that I asked this question, both for my benefit and for everyone else's too.

I don't understand why painkillers don't touch the pain, but like cracked82 above, I have discovered something similar that works for me. I actually just press my finger up against one side of the anal opening (between the sentinal tag and the very upper inner part of my "cheek", and that often helps a lot. I have to lie for hours with my finger on my butt hole though, but it's better than just lying there in severe pain. I only discovered this method accidentally a couple of weeks ago, but if it helps someone else sooner, I'd be thrilled.