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Original poster

Severe pain with anal fissure- only option to go private??

136 replies

MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 19:15

Hi, posting here for traffic.
I had an anal fissure diagnosed in September. Ive tried the GTN creams, laxatives twice daily, prune juice and Diltiazem.
The latter didnt work at all and now the GTN which used to take the pain from my bum (but give me a splitting headache) is not working either.
Last month I had a flexible seismodocopy which ruled out anything sinister. It was so painful, the nurse couldnt get the enema in. I had to guide it in myself. The procedure was awful too.

Now everytime I have a bowel movement it feels like I have a piece of glass wedged in my bottom. The only thing that stops the pain is 5ml of morphine. Im at my wits end.

The GP said she couldnt think of anything else I could try and suggested I go private. At £300 for an appointment, is this the only option I have.

I feel so anxious at the thought of having a bowel movement at work. Its affecting my everyday life.
Any advice gratefully accepted and sorry for the long post.

OP posts:
Mango101 · 09/03/2022 21:13

[quote MrsBloxby]@BuddhaAtSea

I researched botox, but I was surprised when my GP and GP friend didnt even consider it. The GP thought I should pay privately for an MRI.[/quote]
I think your GP's confusing fissure with fistula.

MRIs often used to assess anal fistulas.

hedwigismyowl · 09/03/2022 21:14

I used installagel which is a lubricant with a local anaesthetic in it. It stings a bit but makes bowel movements and the resulting pain minimal. Didn't help with the healing but much less pain overall.

Chunkymonkey123 · 09/03/2022 21:14

Hi, just to say when I had an anal fissure the cream gave me horrific headaches. I told the consultant this and said it was a common side effect so he prescribed a different cream that didn’t have the same effect. Ask your GP or do some researching for an alternative ointment. Sorry I can’t remember the names. Mine did heal eventually but the pain is horrific.

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General health
cultkid · 09/03/2022 21:17

Sorry to raid your thread

Did you have lots of blood in the toilet when you opened your bowels but none when you wiped? Is that how you know it's a fissure

This happened to me yesterday and now it even hurts when I pass wind it feels like I'm being stabbed 😭😭😭 I thought it was piles but I can't see a single thing on my anus. I'm so upset. I need to call the doctor but I'm pregnant and think they will fob me off. do they get worse if you don't treat them ASAP?

If the GP thinks an MRI is of a clinical benefit to you then they surely should send you for one? It's rude to suggest you go private. I go private for things but I wouldn't be happy if the GP told me to!

Have you been to a&e can you just go there and say you literally can't sit down now and it's bleeding profusely and see if they can scan you and give you some urgent help? It sounds like it's making your life a total misery

Sending all my love

Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:31

@Prettynails
Thank you for your message. The GP said I need to keep calling the hospital so I can be seen quicker. I phoned today and they seemed hopeful that a cancellation will mean I get seen quicker...

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:32

@gogohm
Thank you for your message, will look into going private.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:34

@littlebauxpeep
Thank you, so glad you havent had one after childbirth. That seems to be quite common.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:36

@Kittykat93
No you are right. It was in my medicine cupboard from a previous ailment. I'm so glad I have it but dont want to get addicted.....I only take it during awful flareups...

OP posts:
CorneliusVetch · 09/03/2022 21:39

Hi OP, I had one for ages and it is awful so my sympathies Flowers

In my case, I kept aggravating it by straining. I was so terrified to go to the toilet that I delayed and delayed then had to strain - which made the fissure worse. Once I started using glycerin suppositories, which basically make you poo without having to strain, it began to heal. Is that something you could try? They’re just off the shelf in Boots or wherever.

Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:41

@MistySkiesAfterRain- diarrhoea still hurts too! Ive just recovered from gastroenteritis and it stung like anything Sad

@Chickenkatsu- thank you for your recommendation xx

OP posts:
Cherryana · 09/03/2022 21:41

My husband started to drink fybrogel every day and it helped to soften his stools x

Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:45

@aliloandabanana

Thank you for your message. I was referred to a colorectal surgeon. I had a flexible seisdoscopy and now have a telephone appointment with him in a month. Ive telephoned the hospital to see if I can have my appointment sooner as I am in so much pain.
I missed my son's parents eve Sad . DH attended by himself and I sat in a steaming bath trying to get relief.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:47

@Mango101
My GP definitely thinks its a fissure, she examined me and the consultant confirmed it too.
The MRI is to see if anything else is going on around there, endometriosis etc

I personally would rather just have the botox....

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:49

@hedwigismyowl
Thanks for your message. Tried that but it didnt give me any relief....

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:50

@Chunkymonkey123
Do you mean Diltiazem? I had high hopes for it but it didnt do anything for me.

OP posts:
50DaysAF · 09/03/2022 21:53

Botox treatment here on the nhs too (not me but a close friend). It did take a lot of complaining and not taking no for an answer. This is in addition to movicol and painkillers.
Too soon to tell how successful it was but here’s hoping!

Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:53

@cultkid
So sorry to read your message. Definitely get it checked out. My bleeding was minimal and on the tissue. If yours is a fissure, please get it treated before the baby comes. Hope it gets sorted.
No GP should fob you off.

OP posts:
JamieNorthlife · 09/03/2022 21:57

[quote MrsBloxby]@Mango101
My GP definitely thinks its a fissure, she examined me and the consultant confirmed it too.
The MRI is to see if anything else is going on around there, endometriosis etc

I personally would rather just have the botox....[/quote]
The GP should refer you to the MRI and not advise you to go privately.

£300 is a lot of money and that is just the starting price. I went to a private Gynae 2 years ago and the scans ended up far more expensive than the advertised price.

Again... women's pain is never taken seriously.

Original poster
MrsBloxby · 09/03/2022 21:57

@CorneliusVetch
Thank you for your message. I was using the glucerin suppositories around Sept/Oct but now my anus is so tight and tense, I would struggle to get it in, even with lubrication. Im using the stool softener and I am not constipated. It just hurts after every bowel movement and the pain lingers for 8+ hours.

I had a bowel movement at 7.30 before work, during work I was in agony. As soon as I came home I put on the GTN and went to bed.

OP posts:
aliloandabanana · 09/03/2022 21:57

Sorry, I'd not read your posts carefully. I can't believe the consultant didn't do anything more, or made you go through with the examination when you were in so much pain. Mine referred me for an examination under general anaesthetic when he realised how much pain I was in.

I don't know what else you can do except keep pressing for the follow up appointment and emphasise the fact that you're taking morphine to deal with the pain - this should concern them.

You have my sympathy as it was the worst pain and discomfort I've ever experienced.

Hawkins001 · 09/03/2022 21:59

what usually causes them ?

JoanDarc · 09/03/2022 22:12

@MrsBloxby I feel your pain and have been in the same position several times. It genuinely is the most awful pain I’ve ever experienced so know what you’re going through. I had a fissure post delivery 12 years ago that I ended up in hospital with and several recurrences of in the period since.
I got a private consultation last year after I had an allergic reaction to the diltiazem cream which had helped me first time round, pain was horrific and only option was either GTN or Botox injections. Surgery was off the cards I think due to poor outcomes or complications, I can’t remember.
What worked for me - as much as possible keep stools as soft as possible (erring on liquid, too much info!) using a stool softener like lactulose, lots of fruit & veg and gallons of water. I got a numbing gel many years ago from the doctor, not sure if still available.
Try as much as possible to get bowel movement routine so you can go at home (I realise this is really difficult) a morning coffee and fruit bowl helped me and meant I could shower/ bathe after a bowel movement and wasn’t terrified of having to go at work.
Also focusing on breathing when trying to do the toilet, I found the initial part of passing a stool was the most painful. (Again sorry for TMI)
Unfortunately there was nothing in my experience that the consultant could do, but it did get better for me using the above as a guide. It’s something I know I’ll always be prone to, so good self management is key.
Good luck, I genuinely feel for you.

Feduppluckingmychinhairs · 09/03/2022 22:43

My friend was off work for several months with fissures, the only thing that got her back on her feet was a Botox injection. She was to return after six months for a top up but hasn't needed to.

Scbchl · 09/03/2022 22:48

Just wanted to say you have my sympathy. One of the most excruciating things I ever experienced after my daughter was born. I never went to the doctors at all as I was so embarrassed. Id cry every time I went to the toilet. I had it for over 11 months. Eventually healed because I went on a liquid diet to allow it to heal, I had protein shakes etc instead of food.

LibbyL92 · 09/03/2022 23:19

I had my haemorrhoids banded. But I also had a fissure, which was injected with Botox. This was all on the NHS

It’s worth asking for

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