Anal fissure destroying my life

[clg74]

Please help, I've had an awful fissure on/off since giving birth in January. Every so often I think it's healing and get 2-3 days pain free then suddenly it feels like my insides are being ripped out when I go to the toilet. The pain is getting so bad I've nearly passed out with my last few BMs and I feel nauseous with the pain every single day. After BMs as well, the pain just lasts for hours and I can hardly walk or sit properly with it. I honestly have tried everything I can think of to try get this away. I bought Prep H and Anusol cream OTC which both helped for a few days but now nothing. I've tried Sudocrem and coconut oil too and at my 6 week check was prescribed Anusol ointment and suppositories. Everything helps for a few days then it all comes back worse than before. I really don't know what to do but I am in constant fear of going to the bathroom and in tears when I do. I feel horrible and disgusting and I don't know what to do to help this pain go away as it's honestly agony. Has anyone experienced this? Any other remedies out there? I definitely know it's a fissure as I can see it when I look with a mirror (TMI sorry). I can't take things like Lactulose etc as they just give me horrid stomach pains and cramps. I'm at a total loss with what to do but I can't keep on like this, it's agony.

@MissTulipan thank you, I'm glad it's improving for you. I just want to be pain-free and I'll be happy. Hoping you can get yours sorted x

I really understand the total frustration this brings. To remember a time when I just went to the loo then forgot about my bum until the next time I went to the loo instead of being aware constantly of my bottom and having to stick creams in it, look at it with hand mirrors have lights shone on it and doctors poking around! But it is getting better and the last hospital doctor I saw was very funny and frank and assured me it will heal, they all heal eventually. I hold on to those words

@MissTulipan I so hope he is right!

I'm also a bit stumped as to why she has given you an ointment for piles. They restrict blood flow to shrink piles, the opposite of what you need. They have steroids in which thin the skin, the opposite of what you need if you already have a year.

Don't persevere for too long with scheriproct if you're not improving. The ingredients may take the edge off the pain but I really don't think will help your fissure at all and could actually make you worse in the long run.

Another bum expert here unfortunately. Go back for a proper fissure ointment, anoheal. Good luck.

*tear

I've had this on and off my whole life. The drugs are a lot better these days (laxidose and dioctyl daily) but it still happens and then I use Anusol suppositories (the ones with anaesthetic) for a few days till the pain eases off. I was treated for piles for years when I actually had polyps - one burst and I was admitted to have the rest removed. Now I actually do have piles (double checked by a surgeon this time!). Hope you find your solution soon - its no fun and your social life disappears when your mind is permanently on the toilet - not an easy thing to share either!

Hiya. Are you breastfeeding?

I had this chronically after both my children. The pain as bad as you describe.

Drink excessive amounts of water, used Movicol, used a step to poo with. I’m sure it’s hormone related you know. When they balance again it may improve.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It really sucks x

@Funnyface1 oh no that doesn't sound like what I need at all! I've made another appt to go back in 2 weeks in case I need something else, hopefully that's not the case though. Thanks.

@allypally999 Those are the suppositories I was given before which did help but she's given me different ones now so hoping they're just as good! Sorry you've had to deal with this for so long, it's horrible!

@user1489434024 I'm not breastfeeding but I'm terrified of ever having another at this stage as I don't want to experience this again! I've been given lots of different things to try so I'm really hoping I can get it sorted. Hope yours has improved! x

Please go to the doctor. You don't have to put up with this pain. It's excruciating and I completely sympathise.

I had anal fissures (and a fistula) after the birth of my child. They gave me Botox under general anaesthetic 4 or 5 times which helped hugely. They also found I had a fistula (tunnel from back passage to front). The pain was excruciating.

I would ask for Botox treatment. I don't think people realise how painful a fissure can be.

It's horrible isn't it! Im using the creams/suppositories she gave me but honestly haven't noticed much of a difference these past few days. I've got my appt to go back in just over a week and half now so if I'm still suffering then I will discuss my options. I really don't think they do! When I seen my GP (after having got a same day appt) she said a fissure doesn't really warrant same day as it's not urgent- clearly she has never experienced the pain or else she wouldn't have said that, true or not! Glad you got it sorted x

This happened to me and I can relate to everything you have said. It was like passing glass it really was that bad.

Definitely take a stool softener and the syrup. I forgot it’s name.

What actually made the difference for me was antibiotics. Bizarre I know but they took a swab and said it was infected. After that things took a turn for the better.

Can you ask for some? Cry if you have to

I do think that time of my life was hell. The dread and fear of going to the loo made me starve myself so that I wouldn’t need to go.

It's horrible, pain doesn't seem to be easing at all. I've been taking the stool softener she gave me, Senna, I think it's called. That's interesting that antibiotics cleared yours up. My doctor looked and said mine wasn't too bad so she didn't swab, maybe when I go back if it's not cleared up it'll be in a worse state. Thanks.

I had one for 11 years, caused by IBS. Had botox last autumn and it seems to be ok now. (That's cutting a very long and painful story short!).

Seems that botox seems to work for a lot of people! How do you go about getting referred for that? I've only had mine about 5 months on/off so not sure I'd be referred that early?

clg I'd had problems for a couple of years before one consultant suggested botox. I refused it several years ago as there is the risk of incontinence and it was top much of a risk with one toilet, two dc's and a job. In the end I had to have it done as I developed polyps so they were removed and the botox done at the same time. Three weeks off work, adult nappies just in case but only two accidents. I do eat a bit less than I used to as the IBS isn't fully cured but I can run and go to the gym without any problems.

Hey all
I posted on here about my perianal abscess I had drained 6 weeks ago but not replies, the wound has completely healed but the area where the abscess was sometimes gets a little sore and the last few days has been quite sore I can still sit down and get on with my activities fine but I am terrified where the abscess was sometimes gets a little sore and the last few days has been quite sore I can still sit down and get on with my activities fine but I am terrified of developing a fissure. you say that you can see it in the mirror so you know what it is can you tell me what it looks like because I have Googled and I can't find anything to help me and I'm worried to death about it. our holiday was cancelled to Florida because of my emergency surgery 6 weeks ago and now next week we are going to Greece I am terrified of it happening again

I can’t see mine , but the whole ‘area’ looks a bit red.

I was referred quickly as none of the prescribed stuff was helping. Botox is offered after all creams have failed. I’m not in pain as such anymore, just an uncomfortable feeling, a bit sore at times and the consultant said the Botox should just get rid of it, otherwise it may just linger on for ages.

I’m comforted by the positive reports of Botox on this thread as I am dreading the prospect of having to be in my office and farting or rushing to the loo the whole time! But next appointment is soon and I will agree to have it.

OP ask for a referral if no better, if they say no ask what their plan is to help you not be on daily pain.

Thought I was lucky and had the past few days pain free until today where I'm in agony again. So annoying that whatever I try seems to work for a few days then stops. I have an appointment booked for Monday which I was hoping I wouldn't need but think it's all happening again

That seems to be the nature of the fissure. Seems to feel a bit better then it’s sore again. How are you doing today?

Yes, I had a terrible anal fissure. What worked wasn't medication - which was supportive, but didn't deal with the problem itself. It was:

• Drinking much more water
• Eating a high fibre diet with lots of vegetables and fruit
• Cutting down sugar and simple carbs
• Cutting down/out alcohol
• Exercising - which makes the bowel work regularly
• Not sitting down all the time - my work was quite sedentary

Not to put too fine a point on it: the quality of your poos will help to determine whether the anal wall heals or not.

That seems to be the nature of the fissure. Seems to feel a bit better then it’s sore again. How are you doing today?

@MissTulipan doing ok today thanks. Still pretty sore but definitely not as sore as before. Think it's my fault as I stopped taking the softener for 2 days but it's been giving me awful stomach cramps and making me feel sick so it's a lose lose situation I feel

@AFistfulofDolores1 thank you for the advice, I'm glad it worked for you. I am trying to improve my diet and increase my water intake but it's definitely been a gradual process! Hoping to be pain free again soon