Anal Fissure, please help! - Bowel Disorders Message Board

EMF4048 · 12-15-2003, 05:01 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!!!!!!!!!!!

bono · 12-15-2003, 05:37 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

lbp35 · 12-16-2003, 03:13 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, 09:14 AM

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

lbp35 · 12-17-2003, 10:44 AM

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!