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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Anal fissure support

425 replies

SadFace2 · 28/06/2022 11:55

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.

OP posts:
C4tintherug · 29/06/2022 06:57

I just remembered when I saw the consultant he gave me a load of lidocaine gel stuff too, in a syringe, it basically numbs the area and you use it before and after a poo. Can you ask for that? And rectogesic is also the stuff I used, it relaxes the area. Both things definitely helped manage the pain.

HikingforScenery · 29/06/2022 07:00

Thinking of you, OP. Hope you get some help soon x

SadFace2 · 29/06/2022 09:24

Thank you. They gave me some instillagel to use but everything is so sore now I think everything I put on is just further irritating things. I've sent a message to my consultant's secretary to ask if I should use Rectogesic now that I can't use the Diltiazem Cream but I haven't heard back yet.

As pathetic as I may sound, just having someone think of me, even a stranger on the internet is giving me some comfort. I'm going through a hard time in more ways than just the fissure and it's all just got on top of me.

I managed to take the kids to school so that's a win for today.

OP posts:
DelurkingLawyer · 29/06/2022 10:40

Just to say, I am recovering (slowly) from one and it is the worst pain I have ever been in, and the most debilitating in terms of preventing you doing anything. When it was at its worst I couldn’t get up to make a cup of tea. I found it particularly difficult due to the unpredictability and the slow development of pain after going to the loo. Some days it was fine. Some days, fine for a bit and then a gnawing pain develops that lasts for hours and no drug will touch. DH said it was his first real insight into what it must be like to live with chronic, severe pain.

My suggestions, to add to the really helpful advice already on here (which I am noting myself) is:

Rectogesic and 2 x fybogel a day.

You MUST be consistent with this even if you are having a few good days.

I had a banging headache with R at first but that declined as I got used to it and applying a smaller quantity three times a day stopped them altogether.

When I started I mistakenly thought R was a painkiller so was delaying using it till I’d been in the morning. Don’t do this. It does relieve pain but is also a relaxant. You want it relaxing everything before you go.

Take a painkiller the moment you have been. Then ibuprofen/paracetamol on rotation so you can double up relief. Don’t wait to take painkillers till you feel pain as they won’t touch it. I was reluctant to take “unnecessary” painkillers but realised eventually I just had to suck it up and accept I needed them for a while and it wasn’t the end of the world.

It is a slow process. I am approaching 8 weeks of consistent use of R and Fybogel and I can see myself needing to carry on a bit longer. A lot of people say you need the Fybogel for some months after the R to ensure it is fully healed.

My husband’s car has sports seats. Avoid these like the plague for anything longer than a trip to the supermarket.

Good luck. It will resolve. I know it feels like it never will and I still have days when I want to cry with the pain. But they are much more rare and I think as the pain reduces I have become less tolerant to it. I know it was 20 times worse than it is now and I am on the mend.

SadFace2 · 29/06/2022 11:30

Thank you for that detailed message and sorry to hear you are still dealing with this issue too. I have now heard back and been given the go ahead to use the Rectogesic. It's just if I actually dare use it now. Terrified of making things worse.

OP posts:
Outfoxedbyrabbits · 29/06/2022 13:45

Just here to extend a hand of sympathy 💐

Did you manage to start using the Rectogesic?

SadFace2 · 29/06/2022 13:48

Thank you. I'm thinking of putting it on at bedtime so I can go to sleep. Very sore and scared to do anything at the moment.

OP posts:
JustTheOneSwan · 29/06/2022 13:53

What are you taking to manage the pain?
I developed proctalgia after the op and found naproxen seemed to work better than diclofenac it lasted longer so even if the pain continued for some hours it took the edge off.

LuckyAmy1986 · 29/06/2022 13:58

I'm sure if you are this far along you might have already tried this but mine was just not healing and it was like knives slicing me every time I went for a BM and loads of blood. I started to use sudocrem every night, around the opening and about a cm or two inside as well. (don't know if that's ok to do but I did lol) and it healed within a week. Anyway thinking of you and it's so horrible.

SadFace2 · 29/06/2022 14:58

I'm on liquid codeine which I know is a big no no because of the constipating side effects but when I take it in liquid form it just doesn't constipate me. Doesn't seem to be helping my pain much though to be honest.

I'm also taking ibuprofen everyday, occasionally paracetamol and I was already on amitriptyline anyway.

I have tried sudocrem a few times but it just stings and doesn't seem to help. It's strange because I've read about it being really brilliant for some people but for me not so much. Thank you though, I appreciate all suggestions.

OP posts:
JustTheOneSwan · 29/06/2022 15:13

Maybe ask to switch the anti inflammatory(ibuprofen) to a stronger one, especially if the pains are lasting a while after a poo.
I would ask for some local anaesthetic cream too for before you start of the burn is making you scared to do it and (sorry to be grim) if you need the relief do it in the bath submerged in warm water.
Watch out when you drive, give yourself extra space and reaction time unexpected braking can give you a nasty jolt.
it's one of those things that unless you've been there you don't fully understand but everyone who has had it sympathise completely.

SadFace2 · 29/06/2022 17:05

Maybe I should give the instillagel another go then to see if it will numb things, I did give up on it quite quickly.

Does everyone think I should go for it with the Rectogesic tonight then? Just so put off by how bad the Diltiazem left me.

OP posts:
Itsbackagain · 29/06/2022 17:23

Tried everything including some random tub of cream from America at £60. Due to another issue I've just had a stoma and barbie bum and this has been preferable to having anal fissures. Sorry - unhelpful but I feel your pain!!

Rainallnight · 29/06/2022 17:36

I really feel for you, OP. I had a fissure and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. As well as all the things that have been mentioned here, something that helped me a lot was being careful about what I sat on. Soft surfaces seemed to spread my cheeks (sorry) and make it worse. So I only sat on hard surfaces which did help.

I’m so glad you’ve got a consultant appointment coming up. I think you need to be very firm in that appointment and make clear that it’s affecting your mental health, not getting better, and you can’t be left like this.

SadFace2 · 29/06/2022 18:10

I have absolutely no problem being firm with the consultant. To be fair he's a really nice guy and he's seen what kind of a state I'm in but I'm really not sure what else he can do. He's just going to tell me to give the botox chance to work and make sure I don't get constipated. But it's just not working.

OP posts:
SgtPecker · 30/06/2022 06:06

I understand that the idea of eating any amount of food to create matter you're going to have to expel on a daily basis and risk worsening the situation is, quite honestly, hell. The amount of mental torture this situation wreaks on a person (not to mention all the terrible physical aspects) is just so hard to deal with, let alone expect other people to understand... it can feel like you're just alone in it.

But I want to encourage you to get plenty of fiber... whatever you do eat, please make sure that there is sufficient fiber in it. If you can't work your vegetables/greens into every meal, please use a fiber supplement. Stay hydrated and get your fiber. It will make things so much easier. You can't run yourself ragged with your daily demands, with physical discomfort, and with mental suffering, and not eat enough too. It will burn you out, and make things worse.

Food is not an enemy, even though it may seem logical to feel that it is. It's only an enemy if there is not sufficient fiber in it, and if you don't drink enough water to move it all through your system.

I'm glad you are using a stool. The biggest lie we all live with on a daily basis, that perhaps many people don't suffer consequence for, is SITTING to do our #2 business. It is completely unnatural. We are meant to squat when we relieve ourselves.

I determined that using a stool to elevate the feet was not enough. I have been using the squatting method ever since. In the privacy of your own bathroom where no one else sees you... who cares what you have to do in order to make life easier for yourself? Line a bedpan or some other type of easily sanitized receptacle with toilet paper, squat and do your business. Empty that in the toilet, and sanitize.

I recommend perineal cleansing bottles to clean yourself when you are done rather than any type of wiping, which can cause further damage. Cleansing bottles are highly effective and also quite soothing. Even when there is a new injury and the process stings... just know that you are getting yourself as clean as it can get, and in the process, avoiding the possibility of infection etc.

Salt those baths with epsom salts or Dead Sea salt, just any type which is most cost-effective for you. The salts are soothing, purifying, and really, they are medicinal.

It gets easier. You would be surprised what you can get used to, and what can become second-nature to you.

You're armed with knowledge and experience now... it will get better. Being able to do this, to get through this, and to minimize damage in the future will help you lead a better and stronger life. You will be okay.

Alleycat1 · 30/06/2022 06:14

Sorry if I am asking an idiotic question but cannot anal fissures be repaired? Perhaps with dissolvable sutures? Or are people left to struggle on to save the NHS money?

OhTheLeetleHandsAndFeetle · 30/06/2022 06:24

Total sympathies, OP.

Added to all the suggestions above, I found Lansinoh nipple cream helpful, liberally applied before and after a trip to the loo.

I hope you get some relief soon, it’s dreadful. Mine wasn’t as bad but took a long time to clear up.

VanGoghsDog · 30/06/2022 08:52

SadFace2 · 29/06/2022 17:05

Maybe I should give the instillagel another go then to see if it will numb things, I did give up on it quite quickly.

Does everyone think I should go for it with the Rectogesic tonight then? Just so put off by how bad the Diltiazem left me.

Rectogesic is what works for me, but can't use due to headaches! Hopefully you won't have the same side effect.

SadFace2 · 30/06/2022 09:14

Ok so I used the Rectogesic last night. I started to feel a headache as I was drifting off to sleep so I think I've slept through the worst of it.

It doesn't seem to have done anything bad to me, no skin reactions as far as I can tell. Obviously it's too soon to know if it will benefit me but at this point I'm just happy it hasn't made me worse. I can give it a go which means there's something that may help and I can feel hopeful again.

I haven't been to the toilet much this morning but I'm ok with that because I went so many times yesterday I really do need a break and I don't think there can be that much left in me. Sorry for tmi but there's really no way around asking for help and advice without giving all the facts.

I also cracked and took some oxycodone last night. They gave me it after my operation but I didn't take it because I've heard how very addictive it can be but I'm in more pain now than I was then and I just couldn't cope any longer.

Just had another dose this morning.

OP posts:
SadFace2 · 30/06/2022 09:20

And I really appreciate all the messages and everyone keeping this thread going. It's going to be a long road by the looks of it and the support and people talking to me is already helping.

I'm losing my last parent so my usual support network isn't as it was.

OP posts:
JustTheOneSwan · 30/06/2022 09:39

Sorry to hear about your parent @SadFace2 it's never a good time for that but wanting to be curled up in a ball with pain will make it harder still.
Make sure to counter the codeine, I used benefibre sachets in every drink and orange juice on top of fibregel. It hurts more when you don't get everything out when you poo so although you won't feel like it you really do need the bulk.
Are you eating enough? I lived off chicken and veg soup made with as much veg as possible and a hand full of pearl barley just so it was predictable.

SadFace2 · 30/06/2022 21:20

I'm definitely not eating enough, didn't eat until 4pm today but it couldn't be helped. If I'd eaten earlier I'd have been back on the toilet and the whole day would have been unbearable again.

Taking the oxycodone has broken the pain cycle for the first time in all this and it's definitely done me some good.

OP posts:
SadFace2 · 30/06/2022 21:21

Going to carry on with the Rectogesic tonight and see what tomorrow is like.

OP posts:
LuckyAmy1986 · 01/07/2022 10:16

How are you today OP?