Fissure pain...how long to heal?

[Nancynew]

I was wondering if anyone else has had the misfortune of experiencing anal fissures (sorry!) after childbirth/constipation following childbirth, and could help? I have posted on similar before (as it is an issue which causes me a disproportionate amount of distress sadly). What I wondered was has anyone else experienced them and found that they did heal on their own? I had DD1 nearly 5 months ago, and the fissures are still painful and a fair amount of blood. I am sure I am doing the right things with regard to fibre and liquid intake IYSWIM and have a proctosedyl cream from the GP. Sometimes the fissures seem to ease up, but rarely for more than a couple of days and then they flare up again. They are bad again right now. I did wonder if when I ease up on breast feeding if this might help? I only say this because when I went to see a consultant about slow healing second degree tears she said the tissue was thin, "which is to be expected whilst breastfeeding". Are they likely ever get better after 5 months of pain (which feels like an eternity!) I will go back to the GP, but wanted to give it some before doing so. Not sure what else I can do, but the prospect of fearing the toilet forever is really worrying me.

@WaitingForNormality thank you for your reply:) Glad to hear you recovered from what can put your life on hold.

I took rectogesic for 4 weeks now and I didn’t feel it has done anything. GP changed me to proctosedyl which I am yet to purchase.

How did you know it was healing? The glassy deadly feeling I used to get while having a BM has been reduced because my bowels are softer but the after pain varies each day. It can linger for 2-6 hours. Isn’t as acute as it used to be where I am lying on the floor crying in pain or sitting in a tub.
Is this reduced pain a sign of healing? Shall I continue ?

I’m scared of even having another baby and going through this again :(

Thank you xx

Healing happened similar to how you're describing..... first pain to go was the horrific passing glass feeling during BM, but I would still get some pain after for hours during the day. It wasn't as painful as before but was certainly still uncomfortable. Over a period of a month or so - with lots of Movicol! - that pain reduced more and more until eventually it didn't hurt to go (with Movicol!) and it didn't hurt afterwards. Sounds like you're on the right track with this!

I also was petrified to have another and swore I wouldn't go through this again! It was almost 5yrs ago that I had DS and I finally felt confident to do it again and baby#2 due in a few weeks - I have, however, demanded an elective section so that there is absolutely no straining involved in baby's labour! I genuinely cannot imagine how horrific it would be to push a baby out given I've done everything to avoid any form of straining for almost 5 years! I'm also able to take preventative higher doses of Movicol before and immediately after the op to try and counteract some of the post-birth/post-op constipation issues!

@WaitingForNormality all the best on the delivery on your newborn in 2 weeks:) hoping it all goes well for you.

Thank you for sharing your experience and giving me some hope. Hopefully I am on the right path and this nightmare ends soon and will never be endured again.

@BrokenBananaTantrum hi i know this thread hasnt been active but just checking if you did eventually heal naturally

Nop. Not naturally. I done one round of botox and I was healed.It’s been 2 years now and pain never came back. The ass doctor I saw told me back then you only have a 2% chance of healing naturally after 1 month.

Oh really i didnt know that. Did botox hurt? Glad to hear that yours hasnt reappeared

you’re sedated so you don’t feel a thing. There was minimal pain after.

Oh perfect. Hopefully wen i get an appointment i can ask for botox. Thank you

@Samouha2566 hi just asking did you ever heal. I am still struggling