[Guest]

Two or three times a year I experience excruciating pain in the prostate, or perhaps in the region of the rectum just adjacent to the prostate. It is the exact area where the doctor will do a DRE. The pain lasts typically 20 minutes. Onset takes about 30 seconds and following approx. 20 minutes of nearly unbearable pain, it eases off over a period of perhaps 5 minutes. It is as if the prostate (or rectum?) were in a vice. I have mentioned it to two doctors in the past and both have nodded and agreed, "Yep, it is a terrible pain" (!). #1. what can I do to lessen the pain during an attack? #2. can it be prevented? #3. What is the probable cause and significance? Thank you for any insights you can share.

[Guest]

Such a scenario sounds a lot like proctalgia fugax. See below:

Proctalgia fugax: would you recognize it? Postgrad Med 1996 Apr;99(4):263-4 (ISSN: 0032-5481) Babb RR
Gastroenterology Section, Palo Alto Medical Clinic, CA 94301, USA. Proctalgia fugax is characterized by sudden and sometimes severe rectal pain that occurs by day or night at irregular intervals. The pain results from dysfunction of the internal anal sphincter. Proctalgia fugax has a uniform clinical picture, and it can be easily diagnosed when recognized. The patient can be assured that nothing serious is wrong. Expensive tests, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis, are not required. Treatment may be difficult, but if the attacks of pain are numerous and severe,, a calcium channel blocker such as nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) should be tried.

[quote] Two or three times a year I experience excruciating pain in the prostate, or perhaps in the region of the rectum just adjacent to the prostate. It is the exact area where the doctor will do a DRE... [/quote]

[Guest]

I believe that could be it. Thank you SO much!!! This forum provides a great service.
[quote] Such a scenario sounds a lot like proctalgia fugax. See below:

Proctalgia fugax: would you recognize it... [/quote]

[keviwe]

Twice, in the middle of the night, I have experienced severe cramping in the prostate/rectal area. During the first episode, I thought it was a rectal muscle cramp. During the second episode I suspected the prostate because I had an erection during the cramping episode. It has happened twice this year and I have coincidentally been taking coral calcuim at night. You mention a possible treatment of "a calcuim blocker". It seems that maybe I should experiment and stop taking coral calcuim and see if these cramps don't occur? According to my urologist, I have a slightly enlarged prostate, slightly elevated PSA and frequent urgent needs to urinate. About 8 months ago he scoped my entire urinary tract, up into my bladder and everything was fine. I think I will check into what type of herbs might help as well (any suggestions are welcome!)