Anal Stenosis ? ; Sphincter Muscle closed up fully already 7 days approx

[Our Man in the Tropics]

Hi,

 

Apologies in advance for some of necessary description ;

But, it is the stuff that a Doctor asks about.

 

I am 50 years old caucasian male ;

Profiles are relevant to health problems of course.

 

I have noticed my stools to be quite narrow over many years.

But, no blackness, nor blood, nor frequent constipation.

.

In last 2 years or so I began to get hemorrhoids ;

Not plagued with them though.

Initially disappeared from use of regular medicine capsule prescribed by doctor [ begins with letter "D" ; I forget as I write ].

Later occurrence, it did not.

But, did disappear from taking of Thai herbal medicine processed as capsule for sale in pharmacies.

.

In the last 20 days I am taking antibiotics as capsules & drops for Eye infection that is considered to be bacterial & virally infected.

.

Recent hemorrhoid -- small -- disappeared on taking of the Thai herbal medicine.

And, I continued to take this medicine up until 4 days ago.

.

Suddenly, approx 7 days ago I had excruciating pain in trying to pass stool on call of nature.

And, only little passed.

I thought at the time perhaps a reaction to the antibiotics & / or hemorrhoid now inside of rectum.

Since then progressively more difficult in passing any tit-bit ;

And, any attempt to do so is following sudden intense pain calling for passing of stool.

.

Went to colon [ or whatever ] specialist in Chulalungkhorn Thai government hospital, Bangkok for to get consultation on Friday.

He tried digital examination.

Apparently not possible.

He says that my sphincter muscle is very tightly closed.

1 side of the external sphincter muscle in more hard ; Side of recent hemorrhoid.

He wants to do Colonoscopy on me tomorrow.

He wrote range of cost THB 8,000 -- THB 30,000.

.

Naturally, I am somewhat taken aback by this medical problem.

I had colonoscopy, indeed I think it was into the small intestine even, by a surgeon in my own country when I about 20.

I fear nasty diagnosis & prognosis 8-) 

"S'est la vie."

.

Visited a falang scientist friend of mine with hope of gaining useful input from him.

He said that he has no real helpful knowledge to give except :

 

1.

his mother -- late 80's or so -- has colon cancer & is still alive 5 years after refusing to undergo chemotherapy following surgical removal of cancerous growth in colon.

She was given just 3 months to live by the doctors.

 

2.

he did not consider the symptom & colonoscopy step as meriting worst case contemplation.

e.g.

seizing up of the sphincter muscle could be from a non cancerous cause.

 

3.

he recommended I get at least a 2nd opinion before I proceed with any colonoscopy.

 

4.

he thought that the fee range is a touch expensive.

And, he says that a falang in Thailand is milked when faced with medical treatment by Thai hospitals.

.

The following condition was/were not suggested to me by the specialist ;

Actually, he did not venture to suggest any diagnosis.

He did say that he considered my situation as serious though.

 

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_stricture

 

http://www.ddc.musc.edu/public/diseases/colon-rectum/anal-stenosis.html

 

 

I welcome helpful posts from fellow Thaivisa.com members.

[Sheryl]

I am not sure why most of the text in your post is  crossed out?  Anyway I will assume that it is an error.

 

A colonoscopy seems  indicated in your case. Actually, at age 50, a routine colonoscopy ever 10 years would be recommended to screen for colon cancer.

 

Anal stricture/stenosis can occur due to scarring from surgical procedures such as hemorroidectomly but from what you say you did not have any surgery. It can also occur from  inflmmatory diseases of the colon, which a colonoscopy will diagnose.

 

Chullongkhorn is a government hospital and does not "milk" foreigners.  A colonoscopy at a private hospital these days runs about 20-24 K, govt hospitals run about 8-12 K so consistent with the low end of what was quoted to you. However the very wide range (8 - 30 K) quoted suggests to me that it includes possible surgical repair or excision of a tumor if indicated, during the procedure. Since it seems like the surgeon did not explain things clearly to you I suggest you see a different one for clearer explanation of possible causes and treatment plan for each.

 

 Prof.Dr. Chucheep Sahakitrungruang is a top notch, US trainerd colorectal specialist on faculty at Chula. He has private hours at Bangkok Christian Hospital (Mondays only) or it may be possible to get an appointment with him through the Chula after hours clinic (though there  may be a wait list).

 

[Our Man in the Tropics]

Thank u Sheryl for helpful reply.

 

Re ; Crossed out portion of my post

I also do not know why the latter portion of my post is crossed out ;

I thought that it because this site's software automatically deletes long posts, or that the software is reminding the poster to post shorter post.

So, I did intend to post also that portion that was crossed out.

I hope that I can delete "the crossing-out" of that portion.

 

Re ; Medical Problem

 

Doctor seemed serious.

Nurse too.

i.e.

about my situation.

Obviously, they have nice manner & try as professionals at their job to prevent me from worrying.

 

What do u think about the possibility that this medical situation I have is gradual narrowing of the sphincter opening, followed by eventual total [ almost ? ] closure of sphincter opening ONLY ?

i.e.

No polyps / tumour causing sphincter muscle to be tightly closed now ?

 

Ref.

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_stricture

 

http://www.ddc.musc.edu/public/diseases/colon-rectum/anal-stenosis.html

 

I also fear that colonoscopy will be very nasy because my sphincter muscle is very tightly closed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Our Man in the Tropics]

I am soon about to go downtown Bkk for to try to get more infomation.

 

I do not have smart phone or tablet.

 

So, I will not be current on internet for some time today.

 

But, definitely aim to return to this thread this evening.

 

Thanks.