Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Miralax, yes! I take 2 doses every day. It is a big help. My colon surgeon prescribed it for me after surgery. I have a prescription for a year's supply. I just saw recently, though, that it is available over the counter.

I don't know if rectocele and rectal prolapse are the same thing. But they are closely related. I had pretty major surgery to fix it. I was in the hospital for 5 days and off from work for 2 months. Not fun. But the results are worth it. They removed part of my colon and reattached my rectum. Sorry if tmi. There is no way I could have had kids the way I was before. I could barely function just taking care of myself. The surgeon said that I could start trying to get pg 2 months after surgery. That is when I started seeing a fertility specialist. Anyway, I definitely did not want to wait for surgery. I wanted it over before having kids.

I can totally relate about the trapped gas. That was my worst symptom. It just felt like there was something in the way (which I now know there was). I would have horrible spasms b/c it couldn't come out. And it would be very painful. I hated it when it would move around inside but never come out. I'm so glad those days are over. I can go out and feel like a normal person again.

I do have different bowel functionality now than most people. I go frequently throughout the day...small amounts. They took out the stretchy part of my colon where things can build up for a good bm. So, sometimes it's a pain that I go quite often. But it's way better than how I was before. I don't like to be too far from a bathroom, but it's not too bad. And it's not urgent...nothing like D. I can control it like a normal person.

What kind of test have you had to diagnose a rectocele? I would get a second opinion if it feels like it's bad. I went to a colon surgeon. He diagnosed me in a few minutes! A rectal prolapse actually comes out when you push. So it's pretty easy to diagnose. But I did have to do a barium test too. Not very pleasant, but they could see everything going on and see that I didn't have any other kinds of prolapses.

Feel free to ask any questions. It's nice to be able to help others. At least the suffering is good for something. HTH.

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~Mary
Had surgery for rectal prolapse in Sept. '06 and feeling good now! Loving life with our IVF miracle #1.

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