Diagnosed With Ulcerative Proctitis With Mild Inflammation. Having Chronic Rectal Pain. Why?

Posted on Sun, 20 Oct 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 20 Oct 2013 Answered on

Thu, 7 Nov 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis proctosigmoiditis initially, then last colonoscopy shows ulcerative proctitis with mild inflammation. I have chronic rectal pain, gi doctor says should not be having this pain with mild inflammation. Urogynecoa; logist found that have a rectal prolapse, was sent to colorectal surgeon who did a stapled hemorrhoidectomy for prolapsed XXXXXXX hemorrhoids. Still have rectal pain. Have you had any patients with this problem, it keeps me from going about daily life because of pain. It is a burning, hurting type of rectal pain, as if an open sore that is irritated. After the surgery 4 months ago, initially the pain was severe, had a flareup of my colitis, with numerous bathroom trips of bloody loose stool and mucous and the rectal pain is so bad, hurts more when sitting, but my left side and lower back hurts, have been on prednisone, apriso, flagyl and canasa suppositories. Could you tell me if colitis can cause this kind of rectal pain and what doctor should I see to try to find out a remedy for it.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Anus inflammation is giving you pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Ulcerative colitis almost always affects rectum. And this has confirmed your last colonoscopy (proctitis is nothing more than anus inflammation). So this is the reason of your rectal pain. And not hemorrhoids for sure.
Colitis ulcerosa complication is a fistula between the rectum and the skin, rectum and urinary bladder and may more. There can be an abscess in the rectum area which can give you such pain as well.
Lower back pain can be associated with urinary tract inflammation.
To detect possible abscesses and fistulas, pelvis MRI should be done. Urine analysis seems to be necessary as well.
Please have this tests done and visit gastroenterologist.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar