Embarrassing problem

[imiss]

I have an/multiple anal fissure from giving birth. Had the same after my first child, it started about a week after giving birth and I had it until DD was around 9 weeks first time round. I was prescribed various medicines to help heal it but in the end what got rid of it was not eating for around a week. This was due to a bereavement that made me unable to stomach food, but subsequently it messed up my milk supply temporarily and I didn't feel very well obviously.

I have it again, DS is ten weeks and it is excruciating. I have tried stool softeners, laxatives, suppositories, steroids and currently on a cream called rectogesic. They're not working and it's miserable. I have been to the doctors 3 times, next step is surgery or Botox and I don't want to go down that route but I can't carry on like this.

I'm planning to stop eating again for a few days (thinking 4-5) to give it a chance to heal. I don't want to ruin my health or my milk supply, so I am planning to drink fruit and vegetable juice to make up the 1800 calories needed and take pregnacare breastfeeding multi vitamin as I have been. I'm asking if anyone can think of any reason this would be harmful to DS or myself? - I obviously don't want to do any harm but I'm at my wits end. I know the doctor won't agree with this but it worked last time although I drank only coffee, water and wine as it's all that would stay down. If anyone else has any solutions that worked for them I'd be grateful.

If it matters I'm a healthy weight, drink plenty of water, exercise 4+ times a week and eat a largely vegetarian diet with lots of fruit/veg/nuts and my fibre is good.

Forgot to add that DS is mixed fed, so will still have 2-3 5 ounce bottles daily

How are you doing? Have you tried the not eating?

My best advice for fissures is to have a spoonful (or two) of milk of magnesia before bed. You can buy it in the supermarket with painkillers etc. It softens the stool and really makes it the perfect consistency for helping you heal.

Use a footstool when you go to the toilet, only for one foot, then lean forward and away from where you are most sore. Relax and don't strain at all.

Keep using the rectogesic, it will help.

I obviously can't recommend stopping eating altogether but you could definitely cut it right down for a week. Don't go mad on the fruit and veg. Veg is hard to digest for some people and fruit can be a bit acidic and make you feel more sore.

I really hope you're already feeling better when you read this.

Poor you OP. I've suffered an analysis fissure myself (finally healing after a few months).

I really wouldn't advise drinking 1800kcal of fruit/veg. You'll make yourself unwell and end up using the toilet A LOT which won't help with healing.

I agree a diet high in liquid and low in stodge might be a good plan but you do need other food groups.

When my colitis is bad, I try to give my system a rest by eating as follows for 3 days:

Breakfast: fruit smoothie made with natural live yoghurt

Lunch: chicken soup or veg soup made with meat stock

Dinner: chicken breast, mashed butternut squash

Basically all things I find easy to digest but enough food that I can still function. And I drink plenty of water.

Magnesium tablets help loosen things for many people too. I’ve never had this problem, but when fluey and dehydrated, I drink a lot of miso soup, the healthy bacteria is good for your tummy.

(obviously I didn't type analysis but my phone is so anal about language that it wouldn't type anal!)

I had an anal fissure for a year after the birth of my son. It was beyond excruciating. I tried every cream going and in the end went private. The gave me a cream called 'anoheal' and it was gone within 3 days!! After a year of crying on the toilet I was so glad I found this. Definitely recommend getting some.

Ask the doctor for 'anoheal' gel. I had a fissure really badly for about a year and nothing helped until I went private and got this cream. I was better within a week. I hope this helps.