Anal fissure - best laxative

[Lux000]

Hi, I've got a horrible fissure I'm trying to heal. I have GTN ointment from the doctors but I really need my stool to be consistently soft for it to heal. I already eat lots of fiber and drink plenty of water so I don't think diet is the problem. I also go regularly and it's usually pretty soft, but the slightest lump hurts now 😢

I've been taking Ducolax occasionally, but it's not the regularity that's the issue - I just need very soft stools. Is Movical better for this?

Take DulcoEASE every evening, Dulcolax is far too ‘effective’ if you just want soft, rather than explosive.

Avoid bananas. This might doing counterintuitive, but I wonder if it might help to cut down slightly on fibre, so that you go less often? I find prunes are very helpful, also red lentils. Drink lots of water or prune juice. Stewed pears can also help.

Thank you both. I'll have a look into Dulcoease - I did see that before. The Ducolax doesn't actually make it explosive though, and it also doesn't make me go more often, to be honest it doesn't seem to have a huge effect!

@Mustardfan I've heard unripe bananas can cause constipation - is that the reason for avoiding them? I always try and eat very ripe ones. I do inevitably eat a lot of fiber (I'm vegan) but try and counteract with tons of fluid too. Already got prunes in my diet too! Beans also very good.

I had this problem for over a year after having my ds. Absolutely debilitating and got me really depressed so I can really empathise.
What worked for me was the ointment along with Laxido twice sometimes 3 times a day. Up your water intake too otherwise the stool softener won't be effective. My doctor advised that I could take up to 8 sachets a day if I really needed to. Luckily I didn't need that many. I'm now completely off the laxatives and do have the occasional fissure come back but it's more manageable with diet now. Hope it clears quickly. I also found having a bath after going to the toilet really helpful. It's not always doable though if you have a busy lifestyle with work and young dc's.

Definitely use Dulcoease daily. Also a daily spoon of linseeds (with a big drink of water) and I have recently found a probiotic for women called Optibac made all the difference too.

Movicol, a glycerin suppository when needed and regular walking to help keep things moving.

Thank you everyone. Completely agree, it's so debilitating. I'm so lucky I mostly work from home and have time for a hot shower directed at my bum several times a day - it's the only thing that eases the pain! I'm making a note of all these ideas to try - thank you.

As primrose was saying definitely recommend linseed too! I used to have it on my fruit and fibre every morning. I still do sometimes.
It will heal in time OP. Really feel for you, they are one of the worst things and in such a horrible place. Get regular with the stool softeners and it'll really help.

What works for me is raspberries and strawberries, just a few daily. DH had the ointment that he used for 6 weeks, but didn’t help, he had Botox injections under anesthetic, which did work.

I really sympathise uou poor thing. GTN and movicol worked for me post childbirth. Warm baths after the loo. It really is debilitating so I hope you make a speedy and full recovery.

Thanks everyone, it's hard to explain just how awful it is unless you've experienced it yourself isn't it! I'm sure my DH is sick of hearing about it. Lots of things to try - I'm at the point that I'm willing to do anything 😂

Laxido worked well for me. Also, soak cotton pads in witch hazel and the freeze. Apply to the sore areas for instant relief

Me and one of the DCs were talking about bidets a few weeks back and I ended up getting some portable bidets off amazon (basically a squeezy bottle with an attachment that has an end like a small shower so its a spray rather than a jet).

It's a bit of a revelation. I love that I can have a quick and easy wash, as I am 'blessed' with piles post pregnancy and this is so much gentler than using loads of loo roll in an attempt to feel properly clean. Might sting a bit with a fissure, though. I hope you properly heal soon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Handheld-Retractable-Postpartum-Traveling/dp/B08KY76S4K/ref=pd_ci_mcx_pspc_dp_d_2_i_0?pd_rd_w=mgcYS&content-id=amzn1.sym.8db49f41-2d78-4c1c-bc3b-fb9e44b9efb4&pf_rd_p=8db49f41-2d78-4c1c-bc3b-fb9e44b9efb4&pf_rd_r=493AEHWY9A2A3S1T98SV&pd_rd_wg=sInWN&pd_rd_r=a3e1c06e-c9bd-4c39-9588-ae32e096527e.

Movicol/cosmocol definitely. I've used it daily for years due to a prolapse following my first pregnancy. I've had a few fissures, so you have my sympathies.

I had to have surgery in the end to fix mine, the pain was the worst pain I’ve ever felt cx

Yes definitely Movicol, you can also get many off brand forms which are just as good. It is fine to take long term too, just make sure you drink buckets of water. You have my sympathies, utterly miserable condition!

Thanks everyone, I'm going to try Dulcoease for a week or so and see if it helps, fingers crossed!

When I had something cut off, the doctor advised running a hot salt bath to jump into after going to the toilet. Maybe that would be better than showering?