Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Chlobob27 · 06/07/2022 16:38

@chrissypissy I'm glad things did settle for you.

@Irisbouquet that's reassuring that you've been okay since. If the botox doesn't work, then I'll absolutely be asking for LIS.

Original poster
SadFace2 · 06/07/2022 17:39

They've cancelled my appointment. I'm at Rick bottom now, don't know how I can carry on.

OP posts:
Comtesse · 06/07/2022 18:03

Ahhh no that’s terrible news Flowers

Original poster
SadFace2 · 06/07/2022 18:30

Ha, the typo has just cheered me up slightly.

OP posts:
Chlobob27 · 06/07/2022 19:10

@SadFace2 have they rescheduled?

Original poster
SadFace2 · 06/07/2022 19:38

Nope. They've cancelled less than 2 hours before the appointment and said the consultant has covid. I don't know that I believe that.

Embarrassed to say I had a bit of a breakdown and now have an appointment with the gp in the morning.

OP posts:
Chlobob27 · 06/07/2022 21:04

Don't feel embarrassed. Pain wears you down. hugs. I hope tomorrow is a better day for you x

Waxlyrically · 07/07/2022 08:47

Oh no I am so sorry @SadFace2. it’s really hard to cope with things like that when you are in constant pain. Maybe the GP will be able to speed up a replacement appointment for you? I seem to be back in pain too - lying on the heat pad this morning after a bad “start”. I think my Botox has worn off 😢as the toothache like spasm pain is back.

Original poster
SadFace2 · 07/07/2022 14:11

Sending sympathy to everyone on this thread whose in pain. It's just a nightmare that never ends.

I've seen the gp. She didn't examine me. The plan is to stop all ointments and creams and just leave things to calm down naturally and focus on getting the pain under control. She's sending some painkillers to the pharmacy for me to collect this afternoon. I don't know what they definitely are yet but I know she was considering tramadol.

OP posts:
AbsoluteShambles · 07/07/2022 14:27

I’m a bit late to this and have only read all of the OP’s posts but just wanted to say don’t worry about it becoming a fistula.

It took 20 years for one of my two recurring fissures to end up being a fistula and my consultant isn’t remotely concerned about my fissure being back after surgery to lay the fistula open (I didn’t want Botox and my fissures don’t bother me particularly).

Original poster
SadFace2 · 07/07/2022 16:37

@AbsoluteShambles Thank you for that, I'm sorry that you've had one but it is a massive worry of mine so that is really reassuring to hear and very kind of you to share.

For anyone who's interested I've been given one bottle of morphine to get me over the weekend and have to get back in touch next week when they'll "decide what I can have" if I still need pain relief. And we all know I will.

OP posts:
Chlobob27 · 08/07/2022 00:37

I'm glad you've been given something for the pain @SadFace2. I've been pretty uncomfortable today. Had to endure sitting on the bus, as I had a dental app. It was so painful. My bottom was burning. Got back home this evening and the walking I did today made me need the loo again. I couldn't hold it. I took 2 Ibuprofen and 2 paracetamol after going, plus used a suppository. Ibuprofen on its own seems to do nothing. I'm hoping I can get some rest, otherwise it'll be a long day tomorrow with the kids. I'm currently panicking, wondering if I took lactulose twice tonight. I bloody hope not.

Original poster
SadFace2 · 08/07/2022 13:22

@Chlobob27 How are you doing today? Better than yesterday I hope? I've overdone it on the milk of magnesia a little bit. Hasn't hurt my fissure but made my skin feel a bit sore and inflamed. Still better than the fissure pain though. I'll have less tonight so it's not so urgent tomorrow.

I can imagine sitting on the bus was unpleasant. I drive and I thought it was going to be really painful but as long as I've gotten myself really comfortable before I set off it's actually not bad at all.

OP posts:
Chlobob27 · 08/07/2022 17:22

I managed to get some sleep last night thankfully. Haven't been to the loo today, so I've been pain free. If I end up going tonight I'll do what I did last night and take Paracetamol and Ibuprofen at the same time and stick a suppository up there too 🤣. I was delaying taking pain meds for about an hour after going and by then they had zero effect. I'm hoping to get out with my partner and kid's tomorrow for a walk. Hoping I'll manage it x

Original poster
SadFace2 · 08/07/2022 18:10

@Chlobob27 That's such a simple thing to want to do. That's what I hate most about this illness, it steals all the things we once took for granted. It's so unfair.

We will both be free of this one day but in the meantime I'm really hoping you have a great day tomorrow. Having a better day and doing something lovely does you the world of good.

OP posts:
Chlobob27 · 08/07/2022 18:25

I'm okay when I'm walking about or stood up, but sitting is really uncomfortable. If I have to I'll stand for the bus journey tomorrow. It's only a half hour journey to the city centre and then off we go on our walk down the canal. I'm trying to get out because I feel depressed if I don't. Are you finding the Morphine is helping to control the pain you're in? I hope you manage to enjoy your weekend too x

CovidBlue · 08/07/2022 18:30

OP I don't know if this is something you are already doing, but when I had a fissure I ate huge amounts of raw veg and drank pints of water, until the consistency of my poo was totally soft and runny. It was the only thing that worked for me. You may already have got your bowel movements to that level of softness, and still be suffering, but I thought I'd mention it. Mine seemed unable to heal as long as I was still having solid type motions.

SoftDay · 08/07/2022 21:38

Hi, SadFace. I'm so sorry to hear you, and others on the thread, are going through this.

I've had three anal fissures, each of them four years apart. The first resolved on its own after about three weeks, using conservative methods - stool softeners, Sheriproct etc.

The second became chronic - I tried everything, including the cream that gives you headaches, but nothing worked, so I had a lateral sphincterotomy and was back to normal within days.

Was horrified to get the third one, which again became chronic. Had another LS and, again, pain gone totally after a few days. That was in 2010 and, thank God, I haven't had any problems since.

But I will never forget the pain. It is indescribable. There were days when I was crying on the bathrrom floor, waiting for the pain to reduce from a ten to a nine; it would take most of the day for it to reduce to a five. Then it would all start again the next day. There were times I would have been very tempted to shoot myself if I had a gun. I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

I really hope you start to get some relief soon. There has been great advice on this thread. But, assuming you get to actually see the fecking consultant, I would urge you to ask about the surgery. If I got another fissure - heaven forbid; the thought of it fills me with a visceral terror - I would have the surgery again. It is like being reborn. Thinking of you and hoping you get better soon. X

Original poster
SadFace2 · 08/07/2022 22:33

@SoftDay Thank you for that message. I still have not had an appointment rescheduled and I'm in hell. The softer my poo is the less I disturb my fissure but I've obviously way overdone it last night and today I can't stop going. Tmi but I'm sore and raw.

DH is heading to Asda as I'm typing this to get me some kind of immodium. I feel like this is never going to end and I just make one mistake after another.

I'm encouraged by what you say about the surgery but I'm still leaking god knows what horrible stuff from this surgery so I'm put off with a passion at the moment. If this leakage would cease I feel things would improve, it surely must be irritating the fissure.

Relating to the gun comment 100% and have been wondering about making a noose out of a dressing gown belt. Genuinely. I'm in trouble.

OP posts:
Chlobob27 · 09/07/2022 00:22

@SadFace2 be careful with immodium. I've taken that stuff before and I've not then gone to the loo for a couple of days. Maybe don't take the full dose. You don't wanna be in more pain than you already are. I've just come to bed. I missed 1 dose of Lactulose this morning and I now cannot go, despite needing to, so I'm the opposite of you. Just trying has made me sore. I do think once the leakage from surgery is gone, you might find the pain from the fissure lessons. I think you're right. It could well be causing further irritation x

Original poster
SadFace2 · 09/07/2022 00:27

@Chlobob27 Thank you for the warning. I won't take any further doses until I see what tomorrow brings but I absolutely had to have some. I've had liquid diarrhea all day, I can't even sip something without setting it off. I'm absolutely raw. Can't eat.

That's the mistake I've made. Taken the amount of milk of magnesia that I normally would and haven't accounted for how very little I'm eating. People keep commenting on my weight loss. If only they knew the reason why. I'm sorry you're sore, I hope you can go in the morning.

OP posts:
CactusBlossom · 09/07/2022 01:29

You need to talk to your GP. It could be that you have an additional problem, such as a fistula. Talk to your GP, tell them how it is affecting you and discuss the treatment options. You shouldn't have to go through this.

Waxlyrically · 09/07/2022 08:51

How are you both today @SadFace2 and @Chlobob27 ? I am having a terrible time again now my Botox appears to have stopped working. I had to sit for hours yesterday as it was my sons graduation with a 4 hour car journey. Hard seats, no space & uncomfortable clothes 😩 Paying for that!
The unpredictability of it all is so terrible. I make plans when I’m well and then suddenly it’s back to chronic pain, cancelling what I’ve planned or struggling through wincing in pain. I must look so flaky as I can’t really discuss why & am forever mumbling about bad backs or operation complications 😢

Chlobob27 · 09/07/2022 09:06

@Waxlyrically that sounds like my worst nightmare right now. I struggled just to sit for half an hour on a bus the other day. A few weeks ago we had to travel for a funeral. We spent all day pretty much on a mini bus. I'm just glad I wasn't like this then. This chronic pain is all down to the Diltiazem cream I tried, while waiting for botox. It's been over a week now and I'm still no better. I feel a bit sore today and I've not even gone to the loo yet. I'm sorry your pain is back. It's disappointing that the botox didn't work for you 😔

Waxlyrically · 09/07/2022 09:29

I really hope the Botox works for you @Chlobob27 it was great for me for a while & sorts lots of people out. It’s a quick procedure with very little recovery time or pain after. I would literally pop in and have it redone now if that was a possibility. I have a fall back prescription for Diltiazem to use now ( I was ok with this before - it just didn’t do much) & then I need to get myself back into the waiting process. My surgeon signed me off as healed even though he said it’s immature tissue & could easily retear (the back up cream is from that appointment). Apparently you have to stay healed for 6 weeks to be truly over it. I can’t manage more than 2!