Anal fissure - I think it must be from an emergency C section - just had a really bad reaction to medication (Rectogesic) thought I was going to have a heart attack! What can I do now. Help

[MeUandtheOldGuitar]

Basically - and I posted elsewhere but I'v enow had a diagnosis of an anal fissure after nearly 3 years (post birth of DC2) I had an emergency c section seven years ago with ventouse and forceps involved - but DC1 had to be pushed back out - I had nearly delivered the baby - to have the emergency c section. I I have been given all sorts of creams but unfortuanately most of them had steroids in which have made my 'wound' worse. I've just had a horrific experience with a medicine which is supposed to help bring blood to the area (a topical cream) but gave me a fright because it entered my bloodstream and gave me cracking headache. I've got a sigmoidoscopy booked for early July. What can I do, I'm so uncomfortable and what is worse is that I've developed constipation the last few days, and nothing (linseed and the microgol powders) has made it better.

[WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo]

Unfortunately that's a very common side effect of Rectogesic. You can wear a glove or finger cover to limit your exposure to it. It is a very effective treatment but you have to use it every day for a while to get any benefit..

The headaches are nasty, but it won't do you any harm. It certainly won't cause a heart attack. Actually glyceryl trinitrate, the active ingredient that causes the headache, is used to treat angina and heart attacks.

The headaches should ease off after 20-30 minutes max. so it is worth giving it a chance. There aren't many other options for fissures, and this one is non-invasive and has minimal risk of complications.

For the constipation, can you (gradually!) increase the dose of the powder? Otherwise speak to your pharmacist as they are often very good at knowing what will work for different people.

All the best, and I hope your sigmoidoscopy goes well

[Thecatgotmytongue]

Have you tried psyllium husk capsules from H&B for the constipation? I take them twice a day with lots of water, they help me avoid it so that my fissure could heal.

[MeUandtheOldGuitar]

Thecat I think I may try those - I've been given another medicine - something beginning with D which is more effective than the Rectogesic - but more expensive. Luckily my GP prescribed it.
What I don't understand is how I got this. Okay I breastfed for over 2 years, but I exercise a lot and eat vegetables. My husband thinks I don't eat enough soft bulk or drink enough water and that the b/f may have given me constipation. ANyway I take my first lot of the new cream when I get home from work tonight.

[CoconuttyOil]

Persevere with the cream, but start with just a tiny bit and you should get used to it and the headaches will subside after a few applications. Fantastic stuff. Try glycerin suppositories (moisten with water first), in addition to other measures, to help if constipated - will lubricate stools and make sure you relax which is easier said than done!

[CoconuttyOil]

This loo position may help too ...

www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org/resources/toilet-positions/

[MeUandtheOldGuitar]

I'm using the Diltiazem - on second dose (every 12 hour dose) but I'm still really itchy - I'm going to keep going because this has been ruining my life.

[MeUandtheOldGuitar]

I had a horrendous night last night having taken several diesels of the constipation sachets - so I had the runs and my bottom felt both like glass was digging in and also horrendous itching. However when I put the diltiazem cream on it vanished for a few hours - shame I can only use it twice a day because now I need it again and have to wait a good couple of hours. I've bought the husk instead and now on that. I read that avoiding wheat and dairy and spicy foods help some sufferers - bizarrely it was when I stopped being vegan that these symptoms got worse. I can at least see an endin sight because the medicine worked! The relief. Now obviously I have to wait for the scan. I'm hoping I will be one of those who in a few months time can be saying to others 'it will go away'. My diet was full of roughage but not enough water looking back on it - plus I exercise too - so drinking more water is what I'm doing now.

[Thecatgotmytongue]

If you can keep it soft, at least the fissure will start to heal - it will still hurt for a while, but grin and bear it, it's awful, but going rarely is what usually causes these problems.

Good luck with the pysillium husks, hope it helps, it worked wonders for me, but I have to stick with it and make sure I drink lots and lots of water.

[MeUandtheOldGuitar]

Yes the cream is brillian catgot but diet is definately key - the husks are working and I'm trying to eat more soft bulk -avoiding ryvita and oatcakes (which were my snack of choice - but with not enough water and breastfeeding probably didn't do me any favours) the cream does cause some itching but better than the stabbing pain I was having!

[Thecatgotmytongue]

That's good. Yes, hard bulky snacks are no good, nothing sharp I read somewhere, so no ryvita or crisps.

[MeUandtheOldGuitar]

Okay so I'm still in some discomfort - but I think eating loads of grains is actually making my 'condition' worse. The husk seems to be okay but I'm feeling very bloated and windy. I've had loads of tests for things - including cancer etc - but I'm worried that I have a really serious condition now. The cream has helped but wondering what on earth is wrong with me?!!