Anal fissure woes

[sparklecat27]

(First off, I am typing with a sleeping baby on top of me so apologies in advance for any typos/bits that make no sense)

I had an incorrect diagnosis of internal piles causing pain and slight bleeding with BM in Nov 2015, two months after having baby no 2. Went back to see female GP in Feb who re-examined me and saw a tear; was prescribed stool softener Laxido and cream Proctosyl (sp?). This worked until i stopped taking Laxido prescribed, then immediately bleeding and pain returned. Went to her again, got a bigger amount of Laxido (one month's worth) and although it helped a lot I still had two episodes of bleeding. Have finished that course of Laxido and lo and behold bleeding and pain again today. Back to GP I go on Thurs...

This is getting me down for a lot of reasons, the main one being I can't stop worrying I have cancer. I have had 2x digital exams and neither GP has been concerned, however I am having a tough time with health anxiety post-natally and am having therapy which GP referred me for before this business with the bleeding started. Every time I see blood I spend the day in a panic and very tearful. I just don't seem to be able to trust this is something minor, as it is still going on 5 months after I first noticed bleeding.

I am going to ask GP to refer me to hospital - I don't know if this is just an overreaction caused by anxiety?

I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience and any advice?

I have modified my diet and am drinking pints and pints of water. I am breastfeeding and i'm wondering of this is slowing healing?

On top of this bum stuff, I am also waiting for a gynae op to remove over-granulation tissue leftover from baby's birth 7 months ago, so I feel like my whole 'area' is a disaster zone and it is very depressing!!!

[SouthDownsSunshine]

I had this after a traumatic childbirth and a 3rd degree tear. It was horrendous.

The only thing that worked for me was long term use of mild laxatives, on top of drinking lots of water and eating lots of fibre. A few years on and no problem, all healed. But I had to keep my stools loose for months so they had a chance to fully heal.

[LisaRinnasLips]

Sudocreme helped my fissure a lot. And fybogel x2 a day. No white rice, pasta, potatoes or cakes, sugar.

Change diet to brown rice, pasta, loads of veggies, fruit and soft fruit to get stools to a soft 'mashed potato' cosistency so it doesn't open up the tear anymore.

I took glycerin suppositories with each BM so it came out easily. Then jumped in bath with salt, then applied sudocreme after to help healing.

Also, when passing a stool, relax your mouth and breathe the poo out so your bum doesn't tense around it and open up tear further. Try blowing raspberries with your lips. It really helps.

[sparklecat27]

I will quite happily take Laxido as long as needed to... will be asking GP for more. I had a bad 3rd degree after no 1, but didn't have this problem then. This time I had a supposedly 'easy' labour, but baby exploded his way out in under 2 hours, and at 7m I still have the lingering results!

Glad to hear you got better eventually, I need reassurance that taking ages to heal is normal and not necessarily a sign of something sinister.

[sparklecat27]

Will give the Sudocrem a try, thanks!! I am so anxious about this, the relaxation is a good idea...

[SouthDownsSunshine]

Ah yes, and I used to apply baseline inside before each movement. It eased the pain.

[SouthDownsSunshine]

Baseline = vaseline!

[blueandgreendots]

I have had recurrent anal fissure both before and after DD (now 3) was born. I saw a specialist in the hospital who was great; he prescribed diltiazem cream which worked a treat. I would say ask to be referred as this will get you the right treatment and some reassurance about the bleeding.

This is a good read about all the treatments available: www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anal-fissure/Pages/Treatment.aspx

[sparklecat27]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like there is quite a bit more I can be trying myself...

I will definitely ask for a referral when I see GP on Thurs.

Baseline made me laugh SouthDownsSunshine!!

It really feels like this is taking over my life sometimes!