EMF4048
12-15-2003, 08:01 PM
I had an internal/external hemorrhoidectomy a little over 2 months ago. Since the surgery I have had extremely painful bowel movements and bleeding every day without improvement. I went to see a different surgeon today for a second opinion and she believes I have an anal fissure. She was unable to insert the scope far enough into the rectum to get a good look because it was extremely painful. But she caught a tail end of what she believes is a fissure. And of course my symptoms seem to support that. She prescribed me Nitroglycerin .4 % ointment to apply three times daily. Is there anyone out there that could share their anal fissure experience, treatment ideas and recovery with me. I can't believe that after all the pain and suffering I have been going through with the hemorrhoidectomy and now this!!! I may have to have a sphincterotomy to heal the fissure if the ointment doesn't work. I am really scared to have surgery once again!! I need some helpful advice and words of encouragement!!!!!!!!!!!
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bono
12-15-2003, 08:37 PM
I would search hemorrhoids on goggle they have many resources on how to treat and maintain any anal problem.
Im sorry I couldn't be of more help.
PLease re- read the board guidelines!!
Do not recommend or list a web site that is a commerial site that advertises products and services--- It's not allowed on healthboards.
Moderator4
Im sorry I couldn't be of more help.
PLease re- read the board guidelines!!
Do not recommend or list a web site that is a commerial site that advertises products and services--- It's not allowed on healthboards.
Moderator4
lbp35
12-16-2003, 06:13 PM
I had the exact same situation as you! I had hem surgery then developed a fissure. My doctor prescribed diltiazem ointment for six weeks, if that did'nt work, she did botox injections.My anxiety was terrible, I was worried sick. After4 weeks i went back to the doctor. I did'nt have alot of pain just irritation. When I saw my doctor she said the fissure was almost healed but gave me the botox anyway. It has been 2 weeks and I think I am healed. Alot of warm baths and prayer!!! My fiance was wonderful or I could'nt have done it. Also keep your stool very soft!! I take 2 stool softeners a day. Alot , ALot of water too! You will get through it, I'll pray for you. I hope this helps!
EMF4048
12-17-2003, 12:14 PM
HI lbp35,
Thanks for responding. Is the diltiazem ointment your doctor prescribed similar in any way to the nitroglycerin ointment my doctor prescribed? After seeing the new surgeon, I followed through the next day with my regularly scheduled appointment with the surgeon who performed the hemorrhoidhectomy just to see what he determined. He was able to fully scope using local anesthetic, and he found two tears, in different areas, along the surgical site where the stitches were at. He said both tears are oozing. AT least now I know exactly what is going on and why I am having so much pain. He told me to apply local anesthetic when I use the bathroom, take Darvocett for pain, and come back in one month. So now I have one doc telling me to use nitroglycerin ointment, keep stools soft and return in two weeks, and the other doc telling me to take pain pills, and keep stools soft and return in one month. It's confusing to know what is the best thing to do. I don't believe either doc uses botox injections. I'm glad you are feeling better. Thanks for your prayers, I appreciate them very much. I will pray for your continued progress as well.
EMF4048
Thanks for responding. Is the diltiazem ointment your doctor prescribed similar in any way to the nitroglycerin ointment my doctor prescribed? After seeing the new surgeon, I followed through the next day with my regularly scheduled appointment with the surgeon who performed the hemorrhoidhectomy just to see what he determined. He was able to fully scope using local anesthetic, and he found two tears, in different areas, along the surgical site where the stitches were at. He said both tears are oozing. AT least now I know exactly what is going on and why I am having so much pain. He told me to apply local anesthetic when I use the bathroom, take Darvocett for pain, and come back in one month. So now I have one doc telling me to use nitroglycerin ointment, keep stools soft and return in two weeks, and the other doc telling me to take pain pills, and keep stools soft and return in one month. It's confusing to know what is the best thing to do. I don't believe either doc uses botox injections. I'm glad you are feeling better. Thanks for your prayers, I appreciate them very much. I will pray for your continued progress as well.
EMF4048
lbp35
12-17-2003, 01:44 PM
emf4048, Yes, the diltiazem is similar to the nitro. The nitro did'nt help for me, plus I got some headaches from it. The first doc I saw though was'nt a colorectal surgeon and was'nt sure how to use it. Like I said I did'nt have alot of pain just irritation so it was hard to tell if it was working. The colorectal surgeon said she could see it from just looking even without a scope. It seems like alot of people who have had hem. surgery developed fissures after. The hem. surgery is one surgery I wish I would have never gotten. I still sometimes get a weird feeling there, not really pain it's hard to describe. I also have skin tags that I did'nt have before the surgery. It is been 4 months of hell for me. I was and am still afraid the fissure is still there or will come back and I will have to endure another horrible surgery. It has been a nightmare. I took stool softeners, increased my fiber, took vitiman c, fish oil and any other healing agent I could get my hands on, but I think prayer helped me the most. Alot of warm baths seemed to help too. I really did'nt need pain pills. My colorectal surgeon thinks the soreness I'm having is just from where my surgery was(4 1/2 months ago!!!!) Were your hemorrhoids real bad before surgery? Mine was not, but I had a surgeon tell me he'll could just cut it off and that would be it, BIG mistake.I hope I can help you, let me know if you have any more questions!Try to relax, that will help!
wjpjr
12-19-2003, 06:58 PM
emf4048, It seems like alot of people who have had hem. surgery developed fissures after. The hem. surgery is one surgery I wish I would have never gotten. I still sometimes get a weird feeling there, not really pain it's hard to describe. I also have skin tags that I did'nt have before the surgery. It is been 4 months of hell for me. I was and am still afraid the fissure is still there or will come back and I will have to endure another horrible surgery. It has been a nightmare. I took stool softeners, increased my fiber, took vitiman c, fish oil and any other healing agent I could get my hands on, but I think prayer helped me the most. Alot of warm baths seemed to help too. I really did'nt need pain pills. My colorectal surgeon thinks the soreness I'm having is just from where my surgery was(4 1/2 months ago!!!!) Were your hemorrhoids real bad before surgery? Mine was not, but I had a surgeon tell me he'll could just cut it off and that would be it, BIG mistake.I hope I can help you, let me know if you have any more questions!Try to relax, that will help!
IBP35 - Like you my hems were not that bad and I too regret having the surgery. I developed two tears (fissures). Today is my four month anniversary. I have more pain and discomfort now than before my surgery. I've been seeing three different colo-rectal surgeons. One is doing nothing except telling me time will heal all. The second gave me diltiazem which I've been using for a month now. The diltiazem has help heal the one fissure that developed into a painful ulcer. He wants to do botox injections if it doesn't completely heal in another month. The third surgeon who told the truth that my original surgeon removed too much anoderm. He prescribed nifedipne which seemed to make matters worst so I switched back to using the diltiazem. He too indicated the ulcer had healed over. I asked about botox injections and he said to stay away from them at all cost. He had one patient he was treating from another doctor who injected her commit suicide from the pain created from botox complications. I've been reading varying opinions about botox treatments. Most not highly favorable. I really am being cautious this time about rushing into more as$ surgery. The third surgeon thinks I might need an-o-plastic surgery. Most of my pain comes at midday on when my as$ seems to tighten up in and around the scar tissue areas. BTW, seems like Tammy's thread has died.
IBP35 - Like you my hems were not that bad and I too regret having the surgery. I developed two tears (fissures). Today is my four month anniversary. I have more pain and discomfort now than before my surgery. I've been seeing three different colo-rectal surgeons. One is doing nothing except telling me time will heal all. The second gave me diltiazem which I've been using for a month now. The diltiazem has help heal the one fissure that developed into a painful ulcer. He wants to do botox injections if it doesn't completely heal in another month. The third surgeon who told the truth that my original surgeon removed too much anoderm. He prescribed nifedipne which seemed to make matters worst so I switched back to using the diltiazem. He too indicated the ulcer had healed over. I asked about botox injections and he said to stay away from them at all cost. He had one patient he was treating from another doctor who injected her commit suicide from the pain created from botox complications. I've been reading varying opinions about botox treatments. Most not highly favorable. I really am being cautious this time about rushing into more as$ surgery. The third surgeon thinks I might need an-o-plastic surgery. Most of my pain comes at midday on when my as$ seems to tighten up in and around the scar tissue areas. BTW, seems like Tammy's thread has died.
lbp35
12-20-2003, 01:49 PM
wjpjr, I am really sorry you are having such problems. I can sympahtize w/ you. If I could turn back time, I woul not have done this, but it's too late for that, right? Did you have alot of pain w/ bm and after? Is'nt it a good sign that the ulcer has healed over? I did use the diltizem that seemed to help and like I said the botox. I did'nt have any pain with the botox except for the injection. I do think my fissure is healed (no pain during or after bm) but like I said I don't think I am healed from where my hems were removed. I still have pulling feelings there sometimes, it's hard to describe. I don't know when or if this will ever be over. W ith regards to your fissures, warm baths seemed to help, I did this twice a day. Keep yourself clean, and drink tons of water. If you need surgery (in regards to what the 3rd surgeon said) what does it involve?? I hope your feeling better soon!
wjpjr
12-21-2003, 03:28 PM
wjpjr, I am really sorry you are having such problems. I can sympahtize w/ you. If I could turn back time, I woul not have done this, but it's too late for that, right? Did you have alot of pain w/ bm and after? Is'nt it a good sign that the ulcer has healed over? I did use the diltizem that seemed to help and like I said the botox. I did'nt have any pain with the botox except for the injection. I do think my fissure is healed (no pain during or after bm) but like I said I don't think I am healed from where my hems were removed. I still have pulling feelings there sometimes, it's hard to describe. I don't know when or if this will ever be over. W ith regards to your fissures, warm baths seemed to help, I did this twice a day. Keep yourself clean, and drink tons of water. If you need surgery (in regards to what the 3rd surgeon said) what does it involve?? I hope your feeling better soon!
lbp35 - My pain and discomfort begins shortly after having my daily BM after breakfast. I have a little discomfort after waking now as well. Yes the fact its healed over is a good sign. But it still bothers me. Where did you have your botox injections done, OR or office? I've read that one complication of the injections is bleeding from the needle which can cause a thrombose hemorrhoid. I take three luckwarm sitz baths a day. Right before applying the diltizem as prescribed. Trust me I drink tons of water and eat tons of fiber food. The surgeon would not go into deatails of the surgery unless I opt for it. I believe the proceedure involes skin grafting.
lbp35 - My pain and discomfort begins shortly after having my daily BM after breakfast. I have a little discomfort after waking now as well. Yes the fact its healed over is a good sign. But it still bothers me. Where did you have your botox injections done, OR or office? I've read that one complication of the injections is bleeding from the needle which can cause a thrombose hemorrhoid. I take three luckwarm sitz baths a day. Right before applying the diltizem as prescribed. Trust me I drink tons of water and eat tons of fiber food. The surgeon would not go into deatails of the surgery unless I opt for it. I believe the proceedure involes skin grafting.
lbp35
12-22-2003, 02:19 PM
wjpjr, I hope your are getting some healing from your diltiazem, it sounds like since the ulcers are healing you might be.I got the botox done in the hospital but that is where her office is located. Like I said I only had pain that lasted about 5 seconds during the injection. I bled about 2 drops and did'nt get hemms. She said she gets about 60-70% healing using this.I am very afraid of reoccurance though. I am going back to her in Jan. just to make sure every is okay so we'll see. I hope you can relax about it enough to have a nice holiday! I know that's hard to do.
wjpjr
12-22-2003, 03:10 PM
wjpjr, I hope your are getting some healing from your diltiazem, it sounds like since the ulcers are healing you might be.I got the botox done in the hospital but that is where her office is located. Like I said I only had pain that lasted about 5 seconds during the injection. I bled about 2 drops and did'nt get hemms. She said she gets about 60-70% healing using this.I am very afraid of reoccurance though. I am going back to her in Jan. just to make sure every is okay so we'll see. I hope you can relax about it enough to have a nice holiday! I know that's hard to do.
lbp35 - It seems I might be getting some healing drom the diltiazem. Although I am experiencing some irritation and burning from it. I understanding from research this results in about 10% of people using it. A lot of my problems are do to scar tissue in the surgical sites. Even though the fissures might be healed over I still have a lot of soreness. It's very discomfortable to sit or stand for long periods. I do beileve my original surgeon botched the operation.
Did you investigate botox treatments before opting to have them?
I hopr you are getting better. Unfortunately I don't think my holdiays are going to be very good :(. I'll try though ...
lbp35 - It seems I might be getting some healing drom the diltiazem. Although I am experiencing some irritation and burning from it. I understanding from research this results in about 10% of people using it. A lot of my problems are do to scar tissue in the surgical sites. Even though the fissures might be healed over I still have a lot of soreness. It's very discomfortable to sit or stand for long periods. I do beileve my original surgeon botched the operation.
Did you investigate botox treatments before opting to have them?
I hopr you are getting better. Unfortunately I don't think my holdiays are going to be very good :(. I'll try though ...
lbp35
12-24-2003, 11:06 AM
wjpjr, I am sorry you are still having so much discomfort. I know just how frustrating this can be. Like i said, I am at 5 months and still have wierd feelings where my hemms were removed. I never thought this would be such a disaster! I read some about the botox but just really talked to my colorectal surgeons' assistant about it. She just injected it on the very inside. She did'nt use a scope. I don't know if it makes a difference, but I was so afraid of another surgery that I decided to try it. I don't know if I really needed it because like I said, when I went in she looked at me and said I was almost healed. She said the botox should do it so I went ahead with it. Maybe you will get the same results with your diltiazem but it did take a few weeks so don't get discouraged.I also think my first surgeon did a botched job. MY new surgeon has not said this but I don't think it should take 5 months for someone to totoally heal from hem. surgery. But at my next exam I plan on asking alot of questions regarding this. I know how hard this is to deal with. I went into a depression because of it and saw my family doctor who put me on antidepressants. People who have not gone through this may think this is extreme, but I thought about nothing else and cried alot. I felt and sometimes feel like this will never be over. I have ugly skin tags as a result of this that sometimes get sore. The meds seem to help me cope better, But I can relate to what your saying about all of this. I have to make an effort to enjoy the holidays too, but I am going to try. It's not as bad for me now that my fissure is healed but I am always afraid it will come back. I am hoping and praying for you. Have faith that it will all work out!!!
wjpjr
12-24-2003, 06:12 PM
I also think my first surgeon did a botched job. MY new surgeon has not said this but I don't think it should take 5 months for someone to totoally heal from hem. surgery. But at my next exam I plan on asking alot of questions regarding this. I know how hard this is to deal with. I went into a depression because of it and saw my family doctor who put me on antidepressants. People who have not gone through this may think this is extreme, but I thought about nothing else and cried alot. I felt and sometimes feel like this will never be over. I have ugly skin tags as a result of this that sometimes get sore. The meds seem to help me cope better, But I can relate to what your saying about all of this. I have to make an effort to enjoy the holidays too, but I am going to try.
lbp35 - yes this recover can get very frustrating. It seems as though it will never end. I suspect nobody would have this surgery if they were told the real truth initially.
I'm glad your botox treatments went so well. I'm still skeptical about having a needle injected into my as$. Too many people and my currrent doctor told me not to do it.
I saw the surgeon who I have the most trust in now yesterday. He did another internal exam and indicated visually everything look fine. There are three other tests that can be done with sensitive instruments that can determine whether my anal pressure is too high, the outside muscle was damaged, or whether the internal one was damaged in the hemorrhoid tissue removal. I'm scheduled to have the first two done this coming Monday. The instrument for the last test is so scarce that the it needs to be scheduled at another location. After the exam I had a about a 45 minute chat with the surgeon about what could be causing my symptoms. During this chat we discussed the three additional diagnostic tests. It was a very frank and open discussion and included what might of went wrong with my surgery. The length and openness of that discussion is unheard of in my opinion with any doctor I've come in contact with.
I know about being depressed and the additional stress caused by this operation. So I can sympathize with you. I fine myself at times obsessing about my butt hole too. I also have a very ugly tag that gets sore. At times it feels like a lump that does not belong in my as$. It swells and shrinks and feels really weird at times. It seems we all have a part of our body that is not like it use to be. Adjusting mentally to that is the key. Unfortunately that is easier said then done.
Today was not that bad of a day so I hope Christmas day is as good.
I hope you and everyone else has a wonderful and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Maybe the new year will be better for us all ...
lbp35 - yes this recover can get very frustrating. It seems as though it will never end. I suspect nobody would have this surgery if they were told the real truth initially.
I'm glad your botox treatments went so well. I'm still skeptical about having a needle injected into my as$. Too many people and my currrent doctor told me not to do it.
I saw the surgeon who I have the most trust in now yesterday. He did another internal exam and indicated visually everything look fine. There are three other tests that can be done with sensitive instruments that can determine whether my anal pressure is too high, the outside muscle was damaged, or whether the internal one was damaged in the hemorrhoid tissue removal. I'm scheduled to have the first two done this coming Monday. The instrument for the last test is so scarce that the it needs to be scheduled at another location. After the exam I had a about a 45 minute chat with the surgeon about what could be causing my symptoms. During this chat we discussed the three additional diagnostic tests. It was a very frank and open discussion and included what might of went wrong with my surgery. The length and openness of that discussion is unheard of in my opinion with any doctor I've come in contact with.
I know about being depressed and the additional stress caused by this operation. So I can sympathize with you. I fine myself at times obsessing about my butt hole too. I also have a very ugly tag that gets sore. At times it feels like a lump that does not belong in my as$. It swells and shrinks and feels really weird at times. It seems we all have a part of our body that is not like it use to be. Adjusting mentally to that is the key. Unfortunately that is easier said then done.
Today was not that bad of a day so I hope Christmas day is as good.
I hope you and everyone else has a wonderful and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Maybe the new year will be better for us all ...
lbp35
12-26-2003, 02:50 PM
I am so glad you finally found a doctor who will listen to you! Hopefully you will find out what is going on and will be able to get it fixed! Let me know how the tests go on monday. I had to laugh at the part in your post about obsessing about your butthole! That is me for sure! It is sooohard to just not think about it like people tell you to! Do you have any support from family or friends? My fiance is great and really tries hard to not let me obsess. The skin tag you describe is also exactly what I have, was never there before, is ugly and sometimes gets sore or just plain feels strange??? I have these sensations that I never had before in my As$. I too will follow up with my doctor just for an exam to make sure I'm headed in the right direction. Best of luck to you on Monday, let me know how it goes!