Gastroparesis Rearing Its Ugly Head and New Diagnoses

I have been a member here since about May or so, when I was first diagnosed with gastroparesis. A month or two later, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and started taking thyroid replacement. I was feeling SO much better that I thought that my gastroparesis was something of the past. However, I started having other problems - lower abdominal - serious constipation, some cramping, and blood in my stool.

I ignored these symptoms for a while, until they got to the point where I couldn't ignore them anymore. Then, I decided to go to a colorectal surgeon. He diagnosed me with an anal fissure and hemorrhoids (which i already knew that I had), and gave me some topical medication, which helped some - but didn't cure the problem.

The problems persisted until I noticed that I was having a lot more cramping sensation. I went back to the colorectal specialist, and we discussed surgery for my hemorrhoids/anal fissure. Before leaving the office that day, I mentioned to the doctor that I was having some pressure-like sensation in my anal area. He ordered a defecogram (if anybody has ever been through this test, you know how horrible it is - not fun at all - it makes a barium enema seem like a walk in the park).

The defecogram required that I do the typical "colon cleansing" using a Fleet's #3 Prep Kit. This cleaned me out well. The following morning, I arrived early at the radiology office. Since I had been diagnosed with gastroparesis, the radiologist wanted me to arrive 90 minutes early to start drinking the barium (typically they require you to be there 45 minutes early), so it would give the barium enough time to make it to my rectum which would be x-rayed. I got there 90 minutes early as they required and drank the barium. When they started the films for the defacogram, it was apparent that not all of the barium had made it's way down to the rectum - apparently it was getting there slowly but surely, but it wasn't there yet. I had to wait yet another 15 minutes, standing up, to allow the barium to make its way down the digestive tract to the colon and rectum. Eventually it got there.

I was quite surprised that my gastroparesis is still so severe that even liquids can't get through. I had an empty stomach - no food, no liquid, nothing in it.

Anyway, that's not the worst of it - the following Monday I called my doctor's office requesting the results. They told me that the doctor wanted me to come in and talk to him about the results and treatment options. That is never a good sign when they won't give you the results over the phone. Anyway, I couldn't get in there until Friday, at which time I was told that I have a rectocele and rectal intussusception. I suspected that I had a rectocele, but had never even heard of an intussusception, in spite of the fact that I worked in the medical field for years.

I have done some research, and basically, from what I can tell, I have what is called "pelvic floor dysfunction" also known as rectal prolapse. Basically my insides are falling downward.

There is a cure for this, but it is a complicated surgery - and even further complicated by my previous history of 3 c/sections and an abdominal hysterectomy which required a hernia repair while they were doing the hysterectomy. Surgery could likely be further complicated by my gastroparesis. Typical hosptialization for this procedure would be 4-5 days - but for someone with gastroparesis, I could potentially end up in the hospital for weeks on tube feedings!

Bottom line, I'm freaking out. I don't know what to do. I have made an appointment with a gastroenterologist this week (this one is actually supposed to be a motility specialist), I am going to talk to him. In addition, I will make an appointment to talk to my GYN this week - see what her take is since the rectocele is often considered a GYN issue.

Has anybody out here ever been through any of these issues? If so, please let me know how you handled it (surgery vs. just living with it), and how your outcome has turned out.

Thanks!
Mary Ellen