Dr. Carolyn Messere
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Jacksonville, FL
24 years experience female
Locations
Soul Deep Wellness
Jacksonville, FL
About
Bio
I'm a retired colon and rectal surgeon, who now practices holistic medicine. My focus is on chronic bowel issues such as constipation, bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion.
I also coach physicians and other medical personnel to help them re-engage and feel vital in their practice.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Licenses
United States: Florida
Doctor Q&A
136 Answers
46 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
So many: The foods you crave by ellie krieger, anything by cooking light.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
May be a tear: You may have damaged or torn the anal opening. Sitz baths (soaking your bottom in warm water) and ice packs may help.
If you are bleeding, you should... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Pretty common: Fecal incontinence is more common than most people realize, but is not diagnosed as often as it could be. People are embarrassed to talk about it, so ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Soak: Sitz baths (soaking in warm water) and ice can both help shrink hemorrhoids temporarily. Avoid pushing or straining when you have a bowel movement. I... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Not sure: There are studies going on for graviola which comes from the soursop fruit. It may be that it is helpful with breast cancer. The big cancer centers li... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Consider PT: There are some non-surgical ways to improve incontinence. Adding fiber and even Imodium (loperamide) may make the stools firmer, making incontinence l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Not Life Threatening: Ibs can be annoying. However, if you can figure out what foods in particular aggravate your ibs, that may make things better. Many people are sensitiv... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
No definite answer: The answer to this question depends on a lot of variables. It depends on how far the tumor has spread and to what organs, her overall health, and what... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Lots of options: Colorectal surgeons treat bowel incontinence. We have a lot of really good treatments available now, including both surgical and non-surgical options.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Only nighttime?: There are several reasons for incontinence or leakage. I don't know if you are female, but a common cause is damage to the pelvic muscles during child... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Colorectal surgeons: Colorectal surgeons treat bowel incontinence. We have a lot of really good treatments available now, including both surgical and non-surgical options.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
It could: For some people, they get so constipated that the liquid portion of the stool goes around the hard stool and leaks out. Also some forms of constipatio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
More information: I need more information to give you an answer. Was there cancer in the polyp? You don't say what kind of biopsy it was or what blood test was done. I ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Several possibilitie: Things that can cause severe rectal pain include abscess, thrombosed hemorrhoid, and anal fissure. More chronic rectal pain may be due to muscle spasm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Maybe constipation: Rectal pain during your period is unusual. Many people do get constipated during their period, which could cause pain. You should discuss this with yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Common in pregnancy: Women often have hemorrhoids in pregnancy. Sitz baths (soaking in warm water) is a safe and effective way to soothe your hemorrhoids. You may also w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 56-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Can happen: Man people do have a bowel movement after every meal. If the stool is not loose, this is not a problem. If the stool is loose, this could be irritable... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Old trauma: One of the causes of coccyx pain is previous trauma to the area. Also, bicycle riding, particularly spinning where there is a lot of banging into the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Couple possibilities: The most likely thing is ingrown hairs, especially if you shave or use nair. It could also be herpes if it is painful.
Consider seeing a doctor to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Not sure I follow: Are you having pain or blood or both? Spicy foods can often cause rectal burning, but should not cause bleeding. Eating your spicy food with something... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Nutritionist: Many insurance companies will cover a nutrition consult. Find out from your insurance if they cover it. Then get a referral from your primary doctor.
... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Exclusion: Ibs is a diagnosis of exclusion. If there is nothing else found and your colonoscopy and x-rays are normal, then it is likely ibs. Also based on symp... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Several things: Family history of colon or rectal cancer is probably the biggest risk factor. A history of polyps also increases your risk.
There is some data that s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Not usually painful: You should see a gynecologist, who can treat you for your endometriosis. You should be worked up further for your rectal pain with a colon and rectal ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Could be fissure: Pain and bleeding with bowel movements could be a sign of anal fissure.
She should be seen by a doctor. Her pediatrician is a good place to start.
... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Need more info: Things that can cause severe rectal pain include abscess, thrombosed hemorrhoid, and anal fissure. More chronic rectal pain may be due to muscle spasm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Bleeding: Your symptoms sound more like digestive issues. Colon cancer is rare, although not unheard of, in a 24 year old. Bleeding, weight loss, family history... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Levator syndrome: Functional rectal pain syndrome is pain in the pelvic floor without any obvious abnormality. There are a couple of different types, but levator syndro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Firm it up: In early incontinence, making the stool firmer can decrease leakage. Increase fiber or even add imodium (loperamide). Avoid drinking with your meals, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
May be too much: For some people, working out too much stresses out the adrenal glands and makes them gain weight. You may need to cut back a little. Plus there's no g... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Not sure: I have never heard of a tomy hemorrhoid. Are you certain that is the right term?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Many causes: Hemorrhoids can be caused by straining, sitting on the toilet for a long time, lifting heavy things, or chronic constipation or diarrhea.
In some pe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
See a doctor: There are a lot of things that could cause these symptoms. Some of them are not serious, but some of them are very serious. This could be an infection... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Take: Take a deep breath and visualize yourself handling the situation calmly and masterfully.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Not enough: Could be not enough fluids or not enough fiber. If you take a lot of fiber but not enough fluid, that can cause a lot of problems with bloating and fu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Stomach or colon: Your stomach is in the upper left part of the abdomen. So is the colon. Your colon makes noise when you have a lot of gas, and that is a part of the c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Ignore: Decreased productivity at work is one of the greatest costs of irritable bowel syndrome.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Depends on problem: The suppository is better for internal hemorrhoids, which may or may not be bleeding. Usually there is nothing on the outside.
The cream is better fo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Could be serious: Blood in the stool should never be ignored. While it is most likely from hemorrhoids if she is the same age as you, there are other causes that are mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Be careful: Neosporin is probably okay for this, but I would add soaking in warm water with epsom salts and increasing your fluid and fiber intake.
I don't have ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Irritated skin: Itching, burning, traces of blood are often a sign of irritated perianal skin. This is usually due to over-aggressive cleansing, use of soap or scente... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Should be okay: As long as you are healthy and haven't had major surgery, such as a gastric bypass, your stomach has a tremendous ability to stretch. That being said,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Many reasons: Discolored stool can be a sign of poor digestion, infection, or bleeding. May not have anything to do with your GERD or gastroparesis.
I'm more conce... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Use Protection: The anal area has a lot of bacteria, and everyone has a different balance. There is no way to cleanse all of the bacteria out. You run the risk of sex... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Please don't: This is not the sort of thing to pop with a pin. It will not resolve the problem, and could in fact make it worse. Agree with others who have said you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Possibly: But not likely. You should have a complete exam and particularly a testicular exam to rule out any other causes. And treat the constipation with incr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Please see a doctor: Stress is probably the cause of feeling weird and your stomach pain. Using a condom is not a safe method to prevent pregnancy.
You can get pregnant ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Ice pack, soak: Try soaking in warm water and alternating with ice pack. Take a stool softener such as colace or milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide). Consider seei... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Stress management: The first thing to do is work on your stress management. Other things to do are quit smoking, drink less alcohol (one of the great secret ways to have... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Carolyn Messereanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 24 years experience
Safe sex: I would highly recommend that you always practice safe sex. A condom is not complete protection against hpv, but it is helpful.
You may have been ex... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
4
Recommendations
1.2K
Thank you notes
Apr 14, 2013
Wonderful, thoughtful surgeon!
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Messere is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Messere is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Many thanks. I'm not convinced that IBS is causing all of the issues I am having - I'm seeing new Dr. in my city this week (my old Dr. no good etc.)
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Btw at first it wasn't that bad but then the leaking ( my boxers were wet!) and the smell got WORSE AND WORSE !
HealthTap member
I have unspecified colitis on biopsy result done on 6 month back. I am taking mesacol BD. still got sore after bowel motion and secretion
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Massachusetts Medical School, MA
Graduated 1999MD
Residency
BAYSTATE MEDICAL CENTER
Completed 2004
Awards
Most Compassionate Doctor Award 2011 Vitals.com
Most Compassionate Doctor Award 2012 Vitals.com
Most Compassionate Doctor Award 2013
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less