Hi, I'm a 39 year old male and this has happened 3 time to me in the last year. Today was the third time. It started like before, first I get a feeling like I have to poop but when I go to the toilet nothing (or very little) comes out. And then the pain starts. The pain is just like so many of you describe, so agonizing I feel like I'm going to faint or even die from it. Fortunately, today I found this thread and tried the tip given by Louisette and it works!!!. I got instant releaf althoug it seems like after a while it feels as if is not completely gone but just very releaved. Anyway, some of the other solutions like the cold enema or the one about sticking a finger up in your anus seem like they may work for some people but I don't feel confortable trying them. And I have to say the method decribed by Louisette was so simple to do and provided such a quick relief that I really think this should be a first recomendation for those how are physically capable of performing the maneuver.
Thanks Louisette!

I was diagnosed with Proctalgia Fugax in 2002 and, to the best of my knowledge, it just means "mystery pains in the butt which come and go...." I would get them exactly as described in the first post. After seeing too many doctors to count about it, I gave up and have figured out my own way of dealing with the pain. I found that cutting out meat really helped; and I drink way more water than before. When I experience the attack, if I have 500ml or so of really cold water all at once, and find a posture that relieves things, I sometimes will either (i) go to the washroom and the pain passes or (ii) the pain will simply pass. That said, the attacks have become less severe but more persistent over the last 18 months or so. But everything you wrote is exactly what I had. Cutting out meat really helped. And getting more exercise. I don't think it ever goes away. The "toothbrush hypothesis" is fascinating — I'll have to give it a try next time!

I had this pain last night. It so overwhelmed me. I crawled to the bathroom in the dark and got lost on my own landing unable to find the lavatory door. I remember that the only logical thought I had was, 'Jesus so this is what real confusion feels like' Eventually, I got to the loo, went white all over, sweated cold drops of water and screamed for my wife. We rang NHS direct who drove us mad with the impassive questioning - even wanted to know my ethnic grouping - as if that really f------ mattered in my agonised state. Could n't believe it! After 2 hrs we all gave up. By now the pain had subsided but I was still very scared. Saw doc next morning who gave me that embarassing wiggly digit inspection. Found nothing and told me to monitor the situation. I don't know if this is of relevance yet but I recently started drinking 3 cups of powdered nescaff daily. And, I also supressed a couple of bowl motions during the week. thanks for all your advise, I will use it!