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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:
deste · 07/04/2022 22:36

It's awful isn't it. I found if I could wait till evening to have a bowel movement then I had all night to heal. It meant I could work all day without pain.

Original poster
MrsBloxby · 07/04/2022 22:44

@Nightwithhertrainofstars and @deste

Thank you so much. I was really considering to go private but out of the blue I got a call from the hospital and my Op is next week for a fissurectomy. Hopefully it will all go smoothly, I have been warned it will be painful afterwards but at least its the Easter hols and I can relax and not worry about work.

Thank you to all the mumsnetters who were so kind and supportive. It really means a lot.

OP posts:
Lordoftheslugs · 07/04/2022 22:56

Good luck with the operation OP. I’ve suffered for this on and off for 12 years, had Botox twice. Tried every stool softener going, and can’t recommend Laxido highly enough so definitely worth a try. I’m also interested in a fissurectomy, please let us know how it goes.

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Original poster
MrsBloxby · 08/04/2022 00:07

@Lordoftheslugs 12 years Shock

Will definitely let you know. My county no longer offers botox otherwise I would have preferred that.

DH told me off for forgetting to take Laxido 3 times a day. My stools are so soft from my diet that I didnt think it was necessary. .but will keep taking the stool softeners to help with the post op healing.

Hope you get some relief soon.

OP posts:
mjf981 · 08/04/2022 02:15

Good luck with procedure OP.

I came on to recommend topical Rectogesic. It did wonders for my pain when I had one.

Nightwithhertrainofstars · 08/04/2022 13:39

Oh best of luck for your Op. That's just great news. I'm surprised that the Dr said that about being in pain afterwards. My surgeon said to me that usually patients have been through so much pain with the problem itself that any post-Op soreness seems like almost nothing! That was certainly true for me. It's such a relief m

Nightwithhertrainofstars · 08/04/2022 13:50

...when it's finally resolved. I'm sure you'll feel the same. It's just so tough to go on with your life when you're consumed by pain, tense all the time and terrified of the next BM. It'll all be over soon. I'd also add that, if you can, try not to think of it as a huge major operation. It's a short and pretty straightforward procedure. I was told I could go home the same day, although I ended up staying in over night because the Op got delayed a bit. Understandably it's scary as it's on an intimate part of the body and a site of a lot of pain. But just try to keep the end goal in sight. You'll soon be able to live without suffering every day! Best wishes to you

Geee123 · 08/04/2022 13:55

Those that have suffered with these, did they bleed the majority of the time?

Lordoftheslugs · 09/04/2022 21:27

@Geee123 Not sure if this is what you’re asking but mine only bleeds after a bowel movement. I think only once have I had a very small amount of blood in my pants after I’ve wiped and gone about my day. I think if there’s blood without a bowel movement it should definitely get checked out ASAP.

I also have a pain in my buttock, not sure if it’s from my fissure although I thought I’m healed for now. Has anyone else experienced this?

Geee123 · 09/04/2022 21:33

Thanks for replying, yes sorry just with a BM. Sounds similar. How long did it take to heal?

Nightwithhertrainofstars · 10/04/2022 07:06

I think there was usually blood on wiping when mine was active.
I also often had pain beyond the main site of the problem, I think it kind of radiated? So yes, in the buttocks.
An endlessly surprising condition...

Geee123 · 10/04/2022 07:12

How long did you have yours for?

Original poster
MrsBloxby · 16/04/2022 17:29

Update

I had my fissurectomy 3 days ago. Im so grateful I was able to have if on the NHS. I had a quote from a private surgeon for over a grand!

The anesthesiologist, nurse and surgeon were so kind. The fissure was cleaned up and a sample taken to the lab. I have a follow up in 6 weeks. The general and local anaesthetic wore off approx 10 hours after the op.
The next day I was in a lot of pain, the morphine didnt touch the pain. I was advised to take the morphine every 6 hours to keep on top of the pain.

I am eating all bran and still have 3 sachets of laxido daily. Stools are soft but sting like hell.

The morphine is causing my (already low) blood pressure and pulse to drop which makes me feel rubbish BUT hopefully this op will heal quickly and sort the fissure out.

Big love to all of you who have supported me.

OP posts:
Cherryana · 16/04/2022 19:22

Hello MrsBloxby, I am glad you have had your op now. A few days on and how are you feeling? Wishing you speedy healing ❤️‍🩹

Nightwithhertrainofstars · 16/04/2022 20:39

I'm glad it went ahead and so far seems to have gone well. I hope you heal up very quickly and that you notice a huge improvement!

Lordoftheslugs · 18/04/2022 21:49

I hope you’re doing well @MrsBloxby?

Original poster
MrsBloxby · 19/04/2022 03:25

@Cherryana @Lordoftheslugs and @Nightwithhertrainofstars

Unfortunately, I’m still in a lot of pain. My follow up with the surgeon is being expedited. Unless I take morphine every 6 hours, the after effects of the bowel movement is excruciating.

The fissure was easier to manage as I was able to sit in a hot bath, put on GTN cream and have a dose of morphine. I would get relief within half an hour.

Now: after a bowel movement, I can’t sit in a bath, I’m thrashing in pain. I cannot sit or lie down. The morphine takes an hour or a bit longer to kick
In, the gtn cream won’t do anything.

I was examined today and the surgical wound is larger than the fissure. Everything gets aggravated during a bowel movement. There is no infection or anything like that. I’m just hoping I heal quickly.

Sorry for the long post

OP posts:
Lemonlemon88 · 19/04/2022 03:35

So much sympathy for you. I got one when taking iron tablets when pregnant, they made me constipated and everything very hard and large, felt like glass and would be a bowl full of blood after going. It eventually healed after a lot of laxatives softened the poo enough to let it heal, the cream I was given didn’t really work.

LBFseBrom · 19/04/2022 03:36

You shouldn't have to go private, you are in constant pain and fear with a chronic problem; however, if you can afford it, do anything possible to put this right.

The other alternative is to turn up at A&E in dreadful pain, tears, at the end of your tether; then they will almost certainly admit you and hopefully put it right. Drastic I know but needs must.

I can't begin to imagine how awful an anal fissure must feel, the worst I've ever had is piles. I really am sorry you are going through this.

HelpfulAlex · 19/04/2022 03:50

That sounds awful, OP.

I’ve only just come across this thread, and bad you not had the surgery, would have recommended scheriproct - GP prescribed suppository you keep refrigerated. I know it won’t help you now, but maybe someone else who comes across this with a similar issue.

After my first child I had piles and fissures for around nine months. It took me ages to see a GP as I thought it was just part of the healing process, but each movement was like pooping glass. I became too scared to go which didn’t help. The suppository worked near enough immediately and I used after my second pregnancy too.

Nightwithhertrainofstars · 19/04/2022 08:24

I'm so sorry you haven't seen an immediate improvement and that it even feels worse in a way at the moment. I hope you turn a corner this week and start to heal.

TitoMojito · 19/04/2022 08:27

I don’t have any advice, just sympathy. I remember the splitting headaches from the cream and having to wear pads because my arse was bleeding. So sorry you're having to deal with this and that is not getting any better Thanks

Cherryana · 19/04/2022 17:22

I am so sorry. Thinking of you today and hoping for relief soon x

Lordoftheslugs · 19/04/2022 21:16

So sorry, OP, what a nightmare. Really hope that it heals quickly for you.

Original poster
MrsBloxby · 19/04/2022 22:57

Thank you so much everyone.
The GP prescribed another bottle of morphine. Im hoping by the time the bottle finishes, the fissure will be healed.

Definitely will change my diet and be mindful of constipation.
The surgeon said if the fissure doesnf heal, I may need to have a sphinteroctomy.

Thanks again everyone. Xx

OP posts:
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