Anal fissure support

[SadFace2]

I know this isn't an unreasonable debate but I'm posting for traffic because I really need some help here.

Had surgery for piles which is all sorted now but suffered a tear during my surgery. I've been struggling ever since. 5 weeks now. Doesn't sound long but I am starting to go under.

They gave me botox during the surgery and since I'm not doing well I'm assuming more Botox in the future wouldn't be especially helpful. I was using diltiazem cream but that's now started to react badly and really set me back.

I'm being careful with food, barely eating to be honest. I'm on movicol so I'm not constipated and I don't have diarrhea. I'm using a footstool to go to the toilet and I'm having baths to encourage blood flow and healing.

I don't know that there's anything more I can do but I'm starting to lose my mind so had to post.

Even if you don't have a miracle cure I think I'd just appreciate some support at this point. I don't think I've ever been so low.
Thank you.

@theimposter I hope all goes well for you & that it takes the pain away

Thanks all; so it was quite a straightforward experience. A long wait to get taken in but the GA (my first ever anaesthetic) was absolutely fine and everyone was very kind and friendly. Was out cold within a few seconds, don’t remember anything about procedure at all and woke up with no pain and feeling instantly fine; not sick or anything and no major discomfort down there.

The surgeon did removed the skin tag (which the previous surgeon had said he wouldn’t and best left alone) but as this has been causing a lot of discomfort I asked the new surgeon to remove if he thought it appropriate. So was quite pleased to wake up and be told he’d whipped it off (as felt it was stopping the fissure edges from healing/closing), and also that there were no further issues seen with the camera etc.

A minor bit of blood from the tag removal but that’s it so far and I feel fine still a few hours on. Hopefully once the anaesthetic fully wears off I will still feel ok in next few days but I would say it has been a positive experience and not to worry if you are having the same procedure. He also said that side effects of loss of bowel control/leaking/gas are very uncommon which was what I was most worried about.

So I hope that puts some minds at rest for anyone having the same done soon. I will update again in a few days on the after effects 😬

Should add for anyone who hadn’t read further back that I had Botox treatment for a 3 year long lasting fissure

@theimposter hope you're still feeling okay today. I'm still waiting for botox. I've been okay for a number of weeks, but today I'm feeling a little discomfort. Hoping I don't end up back at square one again x

Has that been using anything in particular? I did find the Actimed honey stuff has helped more than anything else but I don’t think it ever would have fully healed with the tag there. Haven’t been to loo yet but feeling pretty ok today. Hope you don’t go downhill x

@theimposter I didn't use the Medihoney on more than a couple of occasions, as it did nothing to help. I just took pain killers and used suppositories when needed, but neither of those did much either. I think things just settled on their own. It's only today that I've felt some discomfort, which is really frustrating, but I know it's common to re tear. @Waxlyrically mentioned having a big re tear too x

@SadFace2 how's it going? How are you getting on with the Medihoney?

Instillagel is good stuff so try it again if you can

Hello,

I commented earlier in the thread about my sister having had Botox and seeing no improvement.

just wanted to share that she has started going to a hyperbaric oxygen chamber at the hospital for 20 days. The high oxygen is supposed to induce wounds healing.

she’s been told that some people start seeing improvement after 10 sessions.

I’ll update you once she’s finished.

this is not in the UK, but it might be worth asking your GP if it’s something the NHS offers.

I’ve been having hyperbaric oxygen therapy at my local MS Therapy centre for the last month. I’ve been 3 times a week and not yet seen a massive improvement but I have heard that it can take 30 sessions. I pay £20 a session and it isn’t available on the NHS in the UK.
Mine is to help the massive amount of radiotherapy damage to my vulva which has been made worse by lymphoedema of the vagina and vulva.

@theimposter how you getting on after your botox? I should be having mine next month. Eeeeek! I'm nervous!

Don’t be nervous honestly it was fine! I’ve had some days of discomfort - mainly when I’ve been a bit more constipated which has obviously aggravated the healing when I’ve gone to the loo. But I’ve stuck with using the honey stuff to help it heal/soothe when itchy and feel like I’m making progress (although possibly this is more due to the skin being removed) and I’m getting less bleeding. And just had some long baths on the days it has been more sore. Can’t say it’s been much worse than it was before really and at least it feels like it might actually heal now!

Consider taking a stool softener, like lactulose. That'll ensure you aren't getting constipated and will give the tear the best chance of healing. I've been having some bleeding when going to the loo and I've experienced some soreness after going, but nothing when actually passing a bowel motion. Going to get a nice bath myself later. Treated myself to some bath bombs the other day. Hope you have a lovely weekend @theimposter and you continue to improve. Keep in touch x

Glad things are looking up for you @theimposter it all sounds really promising. @Chlobob27 definitely don’t worry about the Botox it’s no worse than routine dental surgery in terms of recovery (if my experience is anything to go by). I’d have it again tomorrow if I could.

I’m 5 weeks out from my major re tear and upping my softener dose along with using Pranicura and Diltiazem , for the pain, is helping immensely. Everything crossed for all of us suffering on here!

You have my sympathy. These are HORRENDOUS.
A few things that have worked for me on top of the usual foot stool/laxative/no constipation suggestions:

Ensuring the area is clean, dry and ‘ventilated’ as much as possible to promote healing.
Yellow Metanium has worked absolute wonders!

@theimposter have you seen further improvement since you had the botox? And how you getting on @Waxlyrically? I'm still struggling at the moment. Been in some discomfort. Not burning thankfully, but sore, especially when sitting. Hoping thing's will settle down again 🙏

Yes I definitely feel like things are going in the right direction and it’s healing. I’m actually getting some proper sleep overnight without waking up sore/itchy for the first time in at least a year. Obv there are days where it backtracks slightly depending what I’ve eaten etc but generally it’s better

Hi @Chlobob27 I've had an ok few days but of course that can easily change so I'm not getting my hopes up. I've had to stop using the Diltiazem cream as I suddenly got really sore and itchy and my skin tag swelled up. Sorry you are struggling at the moment - these horrible things never seem to let up! Hopefully the Botox will sort it out for you soon though 🤞

I really hope thing's continue to improve for you @theimposter. @Waxlyrically the Diltiazem made me really sore and I had to stop using it too. I've found that using anything in that area causes irritation now, so I just leave it alone.

@Chlobob27 have you tried the Actimed honey? I’m the same; a lot of the prescribed ointments were too aggressive or gave me migraines. I don’t think I’d have recovered as well from the op if I’d not had the recommendation on here for the honey. The other thing that has helped is Lidocaine clear gel which I bought in Portugal. When it ran out I couldn’t find a gel version here so I managed to order from Portugal again. It came quite quickly and was about £17 inc postage if you want the details. It’s like KY but numbs it

@Chlobob27 and@theimposter it's weird how few of the best medications ie a simple lidocaine gel aren't available in the uk. I've found Pranicura from the US great but it's so expensive especially with shipping so not a regular purchase. One really soothing uk one I found was germolene wound care cream but that's about it. The honey gel did nothing for me sadly.

@Waxlyrically yes I was really surprised I couldn’t find it over here. Every chemist was so unhelpful as well and one sold me a really expensive tube of Lidocaine based numbing cream (‘the best you can get’) which turned out to be about the same size as an eye ointment tube and for people getting tattoos🙄I find the cream based ones sting usually

@theimposter the Medihoney didn't do anything for me. I did once get something with Lidocaine in it from the GP. I think it was Xyloproct ointment. I could never apply it in time though.

How are you all doing? I have had my longest pain free time since this horror started by increasing my softeners to 3 x a day. Today though I have messed up and forgot my breakfast dose 😫I’m soo cross with myself and really hope I’m not going to undo any healing. Are you close to getting your Botox @Chlobob27 ?