I have a chronic anal fissure which started 2-3 years ago after giving birth, I I also suffer with irritable bowel 'IBS' (diarrhoea) for 8 years. I was booked in to have surgery 2 years back but with cream the fissure healed, now the fissure has come back I am in complete agony, I can't function properly, I nearly fainted shopping last week due to the pain, I generally feel really sick. My doctor sent me to the hospital but they refused to do it because I am only 26 because of the complications, they said to keep using the cream, well that was over 6 months ago and the fissure is worse. My doctor has sent me to another doctor, so now I am going to have surgery because I cannot put up with this any longer, I am in so much pain.
My concern is my IBS and the incontinence and passing wind, I am really scared, do you have control, I have IBS and sometimes when I get diarrheoa I can only just make it to the toilet, I am fully aware that I am getting diarrheoa due to severe pains, but on some occasions I am not aware that I have diarrheoa and when I go to the toilet to pass wind I have diarrheoa.
I also go to the toilet quite often every day, between a 2 hour period I can go to the toilet up to 10 times, so I am also worried that after having the surgery it won't heal due to having to many bowel motions. I have been told from the surgeon that it can be fixed if something goes wrong but other surgeons have told me that it can't be. I am really scared, this is my life, I am really confused on what to do, some advice would be greatly appreciated also does anyone with IBS ever suffered an anal fissure?

Wow. Have you talked to the surgeons about your concerns? My brother just recently had surgery for anal fissures and he also has had problems with IBS and so far he seems to be healing ok. He also is healing more quickly than I think he expected. Probably the best thing for you to do is make sure you keep yourself clean. I know, that's kind of a duh, but you shouldn't have any problems post surgery if you make a point to clean yourself (baby wipes, etc. will work). Also, during the healing process you might want to think about an anti-diarrheal (I never know how to spell that ;) )...don't over do it but just take a couple each day to try and control it. Ask your surgeon!!! He should have some answers for you and if he seems unconcerned about your feelings, than you need to go to a different surgeon. Good luck!!!

HI Jessy! I have the same problem that comes and goes. I have had it for a couple of years. Its hard to get a complete healing when you have IBS. Just when it heals you could have another moment that rips it open. It is so frustrating. It sounds like you might be allergic to some foods, plus have IBS or just get nervous about things and it makes you have to go. It is an unpleasant condition and I have had to miss work from it even and sit in a warm stiz bath. Just baby yourself and watch your diet carefully. Good luck!

I would be tempted to request a long term (6 - 12 months) course of a tetracycline class antibiotic. My IBS was being caused by an undiagnosed case of Lyme Disease. Once I began antibiotic treatment it cleared up.

Jessy,
I too have a fissure but it is nothing like what you've described. It comes and goes and I have very little pain with it - mostly just a lot of bleeding.

It seems to me that the docs will likely recommend you take something to stop the D, as they do with hemorrhoid surgery. These are fairly common operations so I am perplexed about why the surgeon would have told you that if something goes wrong, it can't be fixed.

On this forum, I believe there is a thread for folks who have recently had hemorrhoid surgery. I was over there a few months ago reading about their experiences and they had tons of helpful info. If it's not on this forum, you can check on the net for other health boards.

I can sooooooooooo relate to your story, I have been battling this beast called an anal fissure for the past 3 years. Read my post and let me know what you think.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=604826

I would like to ask you a couple things, has the diarrhea that you have made your fissure really really bad ? or does the diarrhea not affect your fissure that badly ? I have been paranoid about getting chronic diarrhea ever since I have had this stupid anal fissure.

are you putting anything on your anus prior to bowel movements (diarrhea or normal) to create a barrier for your skin ? vaseline ? or Zinc oxide ?

are you using nifedipine 0.2 cream like I am ?

I too have wondered if botox or surgery would be the best option for me...

keep me posted.

take care and if you can buy a bidet for the toilet, I heard it is great for washing sore bottoms :)