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.

@Migrainium @Waxlyrically is right... you can be in sore and in pain one day, then fine the next. I've made some slight changes to my diet as I'd like to lose weight, but it's affecting my bowel movement's, so I think I'm guna have to up the Lactulose. I'm still feeling sore, so I've been having to use a suppository after each trip to the loo. Hoping I'll be pain free again soon. 🙏

Hello @Rhubarb7, I've had a fissure for nearly 2 & a half year's now. Developed it after childbirth. I've been waiting year's for botox. I did get offered an app to have it done in the summer, but I declined and I'm now stuck waiting for another date. Typical! I am scared of getting pts, but I know I need to give it a try and just hope it works for me.

Ah @Chlobob27 , so sorry to hear you have been suffering so long. I don't know how you have borne it. I am currently eating a very limited diet to try and help BMs stay soft, plus Lactulose, I was given Laxido but that bulked my BMs out too much and made them too painful. Lactulose doesn't seem to do that. I don't know how I got my fissure, wasn't constipated or anything. Could be stress, as lost twins in Dec 2020 at 5 months pregnant on our 7th IVF round and I'm still struggling with that. Plus I had emergency surgery after that due to sepsis and haemorrhage, so not sure if that weakened anything, but it seems like if it had the fissure would have appeared earlier than now? Anyway, I don't just have 1 fissure, apparently my consultant said I have 2! Plus a sentinel pile, oh joy! So my consultant excised the sentinel pile and injected the 2 fissures with botix and as I said I do feel an definite improvement. I think the main thing I feel is where he excised the sentinel pile, that seems to be the ouchy but when I have a BM, nothing like the pooing razor blades of the fissure, but still quite sharp, just only for the biggest part of the BM (sorry for TMI). And it bleeds a little, not a lot, but I just don't see how it's ever going to get better. I have a follow up with my consultant on Friday, so am hoping he will be able to help that. Am meant to be away next week with hubby to his parents brand new caravan in Wales ( thankfully it has a toilet!) so will have to take all my fissure paraphernalia with me......such a debilitating condition. I so hope everyone on here finds some relief, it's so painful nobody should have to live through it. And so far, I would still recommend botox, it has definitely brought me some relief, although not completely. But I'm only day 9 after it today, apparently it can take up to 4 weeks to feel the full benefit, most people feel results in 1-2 weeks, so I'm hoping there is still more improvement to come. I

Oh and I haven't been too bad on the wind incontinence since the botox, which I know puts people off! So far, I still have a level of control, although I can definitely feel that area is more relaxed and a few little puffettes have escaped! Sorry for TMI again! And sorry also for typos, am on my phone and the daft thing autocorrects!

Unfortunately things are still not much better here. It looks like the straining has aggravated my haemorrhoid (external) so that’s causing some pain and swelling but it’s still the fissure that’s the main issue. I called the GP this morning but there are no appointments left today. Will try again tomorrow. On a more positive note, I bought coconut oil which seems to help a little. My AH is being marinaded daily in a delicious coconut, honey and herbal infusion! I just hope it helps.

@Rhubarb7 it sounds like you’ve had an horrendous time with everything. I’m so sorry but glad to hear the Botox has helped. I have no obvious cause for mine either but have been experiencing prolonged stress and I’ve similarly wondered if this could be a factor.

I tried the olive oil trick as well but it made me violently gag and didn’t seem to help anyway! I’ve taken an oil capsule today so fingers crossed it makes a difference.

I'm starting to think that there’s nothing I can really do that will improve things significantly at this point and I need medical intervention.

@Rhubarb7 I've had to cope with it unfortunately, as I haven't the money to go private. I rang the hospital this morning. I'm still at the top of the list for botox, but they've no appointment to offer me. Looks like it's guna be the new year before I get it done, as they said there's no slots for theatre in Nov, or Dec.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I can't imagine what you're going through. Sending you a virtual hug.

I've been sore for about 6 day's now. Doesn't hurt too bad when going, but my bottom swells pretty soon afterwards and then the discomfort kicks in. Can't believe I made it past the month mark and it's flared up again. I knew it would though. It was a matter of time. If botox doesn't work, I'm down for the LIS surgery.

@Migrainium LIS is the gold standard treatment for fissures. It has a high success rate. Botox does help some people, but not everyone unfortunately. I wonder if I have a pile on top of the fissure, as I seem to present with different symptoms at times. Sometimes I have pain after using the loo only and at other times I have pain when going and afterwards, along with swelling in that area.

@Chlobob27 and @Migrainium , thank you for your kind words. I'm so sorry you can't go private @Chlobob27 , that really sucks. Really hoping you get a slot soon to get this seen to. Unfortunately, unless the fissure isn't that deep and hasn't been going on very long, I think it often takes medical intervention like someone else said earlier. It's a total, literal pain in the arse. My sentinel pile scar bled more than normal today when having my morning BM, not sure if that's because I only went once yesterday (have been going twice) or if its due to my increased dose of Lactulose last night.....who knows. It's not painful afterwards though, but it does make BMs scary, I know I don't have to tell you guys about that fear!
@Migrainium , coconut oil definitely helps, I'm using that as well. I also found something called H Fissure oil by Amoils in the USA, it was mentioned quite a few times by users of another fissure forum as being effective, otherwise I'd never have bought it over the net. It takes a while to get here and it's a tad pricey, but I've found it to be very helpful. It's basically all natural oils, think the active ones are calendula and something else I can't remember! Anyway, just in case it helps anyone. Plus I use Rectogesic still and Vaseline (I also use Vaseline to lubricate before a BM). Before my botox, I was also doing sitz baths regularly, but was told not to soak after the procedure. Have asked my consultant when I can start them again, as think they are helpful for healing. I'm with you @Chlobob27 , if this botox doesn't work I'm doing the LIS surgery, end of. I even asked my consultant about that right before my botox procedure! Think he knows how desperate I am for these 2 fissures to bugger off for good! Hope you are all having as pain free a day as is possible, take painkillers and slather on ointments, that's my approach! ( although not ideal for your knickers, admittedly). Something I hope will make you giggle, I was in my local high street this morning as had to get a few things from the supermarket and just as I walked out in the vestibule, I farted out loud! Had no idea it was coming!! I didn't dare look round me, as I knew there were quite a few people, so I just scurried back to my car and left!!

Hi fellow sufferers and welcome to @Rhubarb7. I am really sorry you have been having such a difficult time and that life has chosen to add this to the mix for you. I think stress definitely has a part to play. Mine appeared not long after I lost my parents.

I seem to be in a lower pain phase right now but today I’m plagued by a churning stomach and extra BM’s which last time re tore everything. I actually have two anterior fissures both with their own delightful sentinel pile - so it only takes one playing up to trigger the dreaded spasms.

I am thinking I will have botox again if I can. My surgeon said I was high risk for LIS as I am female, have given birth and because I’ve had surgery there already for a fistula. He seems to think I should be able to use softeners and just get on with things, which I really do try to do. He brushed aside my plea that it had made me want to end things due to the pain and the never ending cycle of it. I think he thought I was exaggerating. People don’t get the agony it causes unless they’ve experienced it. After all it sounds like nothing when it’s described as like a paper cut but I’ve genuinely never experienced any worse physical pain.

Thank you @Waxlyrically for your kind words and welcome. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your paretns and that you're having such a tough time of it. This really is the worst physical affliction I have ever had. How disheartening to have your surgeon not fully empathise with you, I can certainly understand wanting to just end it all, the pain is horrendous and doesn't stop with a BM. And it literally rules your life: what and when you eat, if you can sleep, when you need the loo, how you can deal with everyday life when you're in pain. And it's embarrassing and humiliating too. I really hope you can get botox soon. Not fun having a churning tummy either, I can relate. Up to yesterday, I've been having 2 BMs a day, the first one in the morning, then oneater on the afternoon. Second one usually easier than the first. But yesterday I just went in the am and now today, despite my laxatives and softeners I haven't been at all! I know it's there, but there's no urge. Am stressed about that now. Plus, where my sentinel pile was, it keeps bleeding and opening. It's painful, but not as bad as the fissure pain, but I'm worries it's never going to heal. Honestly, how does anyone recover from these awful things?! I pray thay we all do, it makes me angry that anyone has to go through this.

I just spoke to the GP (a different one this time) and I’ve been prescribed GNT ointment. A bit nervous to use this as I suffer from migraines and very frequent headaches as it is. In fact, I woke up with a headache this morning but still preferable to fissure pain. She told me that the NHS waiting lists for colorectal surgeons are ridiculously long and urged me to consider going private. Money is very tight but I’m desperate at this point. Does anyone have a ballpark figure for what it might cost please?

@Migrainium my investigation and botox under anaesthesia cost a total of £1790 if that's any help. Included food afterwards and all anaesthetic and anaesthetists fee.

Massive virtual hug for you 💐

I suffer with the exact same thing. Mine flares when I’m stressed so I’m in an awful way currently.

I’ve had the piles banded and some shot's if Botox for the fissures.

people don’t understand how uncomfortable and painful it really is.

I use creams, laxido, and drink plenty of water and I really need to watch my diet.

sadly I don’t think this will ever end (for myself anyway) I haven’t even had children yet!!!

Just catching up on this thread. Took my little boy to a trial session of football for toddler's, so I've been out most of today. Thankfully didn't use the loo until I got home. Haven't used a suppository yet. Will see how I get on without. Slight sharp pain when passing a bowel moment, but there was no blood. I can tolerate sitz baths @Rhubarb7 . Sitting on the loo when everything is swollen is incredibly uncomfortable for me and I have zero free time to soak in a bath with having 2 young boy's. Yeah, unfortunately im a stay at home mum and my partners work place don't offer him private medical insurance for himself, or family. Haha, I find those suppositories make me windy!

@Waxlyrically yes, in the summer the pain was horrendous for me. I was utterly miserable. I remember wanting to cry because of the awful burning pain I experienced day in, day out. It was dreadful. That was after I had used the Diltiazem cream. Will never touch the stuff again. I really hope you don't re tear. Keeping everything crossed for you.

@Migrainium I've been waiting nearly 2 year's for botox on the NHS. Wow @Rhubarb7, I defo don't have that money available right now. We're in a situation where I can't work due to how extortionate childcare is!

Hi @LibbyL92, welcome to the thread. It's interesting how many people have mentioned stress. I'm wondering if I'm having a flare up because I've been stressed recently. Did botox help at all?

Thank you xx

so I had mine in 2017 and yes! Totally worked up until February this year. I now feel like I’m back to square one. I was advised that I may need full surgery but this isn’t a great idea due to my age (30) and not have had children yet.

I’m almost certain it’s stressed/diet related

Wow, it's amazing that it lasted 5 year's for you. I know for some on this thread it has only lasted week's, or month's. I'm 30 and I do have children, which is how I tore in the first place. I got terribly constipated after the birth of my first son. When pregnant with my second son the pain went away, but it returned after his birth. I was gutted!

Hey everyone; just want to say I was put to sleep when my haemorrhoids were banded and the Botox was done the same time.

I mentioned this was 2017… it was actually 2019 and I waited 5 months on the NHS to have this done.

fast forward April this year I have a thrombosed haemorrhoid which made me bleed profusely for days on end.

im now back to square one with the same pains I had pre Botox and banding.

Have you ever had the Botox?

@LibbyL92 I'm currently waiting for it on the NHS. I've been waiting nearly 2 year's for treatment.

I’m so sorry :( I know they are stretched but I would keep persisting. Unless people have had it they really don’t know how painful and dehumanising it is

@LibbyL92 I phoned the hospital Monday. I'm literally at the top of the list. There's only one other person ahead of me. They've been waiting a week longer. They said they've no appointments for botox until the new year. It sucks! I'm just glad there's this thread because it reminds us all that we're not alone in this. We're all bonding over our bottom! Haha.

@LibbyL92 , so sorry to hear you are back in pain again. I live in utter fear of going back to that place and am desperately hoping botox works for me. My consultant said it does for 60% of his patients. If it doesn't, I'm going for the LIS surgery as he said he has never had that not work for a patient and the incontinence in his experience is very rare and usually temporary. I can understand the fear of doing it young though, you want to be 100% sure you won't get any after effects. I'm 45, so still obviously want to avoid any incontinence issues, but just cannot bear the idea of having to deal with that pain again. I really hope your pain improves. Did you say you were on GTN cream? I've been on that too, at first it gave me a headache, but it would only last for 15 mins or so and now i can tolerate it fine. I definitely think stress has been a factor for me with this, I've had the odd pile before, but never any fissures. @Chlobob27 , I am very lucky in that I have very generous parents who could afford to pay for the botox surgery for me and will also pay for the LIS if I need it, so I do count myself as very fortunate. They also helped out with the consultant appointment fees, they were £250 for 1st appointment then £140 for follow up appointment. They sure know how to charge given the appointments are barely 15mins long! Wish I earned that much per minute! I'm sorry going private isn't an option for you right now, so very frustrating. After nearly 2 years on the NHS waiting list, I really hope you're near the top. As for me, I did go for a BM today in the end, took a bit more lactulose after breakfast, not sure why I didn't go first thing like I normally do, maybe because I didn't eat much for dinner last night there wasn't enough traffic so to speak. So annoying to try and keep the body on soft regular BMs! I know you'll all relate. Sometimes you can do exactly the same thing and your BMs are still different!