Anal Fissure - Bowel Disorders Message Board

AA21 · 11-11-2002, 10:09 PM

About 6 months ago, I started having a lot of pain with my bowel movements along with blood. My family doctor told me that I had hemorroids. He gave me suppositories, but they didnt work. So I saw a specialist, and he said he found 2 fissures, along with 2 hematomas, which were thought to be the hemorroids. He gave me diltiazem ointment, which didnt really work. I've been on a high fibre diet, taking in about 40 g of fibre a day (from bran cereals, metamucil, vegetables) everyday. I'm a little better, but have had a couple of relapses. I honestly dont see myself getting back to 100 % this way. So, it looks like I'm gonna have a lateral internal sphincterotemy. My doc already told me he's performed a number of surgeries, and there has been no incontinence with his patients. However when I asked him about the chance of a relapse, he said theres a good chance. So I'm not sure what to do now? I want a long term solution. I can't deal with this any longer. It's changed my whole lifestyle. I'm only 21, and just want to be back to normal. Is there any chance of this happening? If anyone has had any experience with the surgery, can you please tell me everything about your experience. i would really appreciate it. Sorry this is so long.

MLWC · 11-13-2002, 01:17 PM

AA21...
Sorry about your situation. I know full well the pain and suffering of anal fissures. I got two of them last year and went to a colorectal surgeon. (BTW, how long have you had them?)
I did the fiber, the Miralax, hydrocortisone suppositories...the works. I got somewhat better, but never 100%. He recommended surgery to me at that time, but I balked (mostly because I didn't really like him that much and felt that he just 'jumped' to surgery instead of really working with me on what could be the problem....these fissures just 'happened' one day...I felt maybe hormones were an underlying reason, but he sort of glossed over anything I said).

That being said, I did not have the surgery. I still battle with this pain everyday. Some days are bad, some less so. I just keep trying to do the right things....figuring it might get completely better sometime soon.

I have heard that nitroglycerin supposedly works in relaxing the smooth muscle in the anal area, thereby aiding in healing, but that there are side effects to this treatment and not all doctors feel confident about using it. Doesn't hurt to ask, though.

The likelihood of side effects (like incontinence--an effect that I felt I should NOT have to deal with at age 30) varies, but I've read it can be as high as 5%. Maybe get more info from your doc about this or see if you know of anyone who's been to him/her for this surgery.

In the meantime, eat well, try to do some relaxation and use plenty of warm water baths or soaks, if you can. I wish you luck--please let me know how it goes...
MLWC

joedokes · 11-25-2002, 09:01 AM

I had the same symptoms, and did the same treatments. Finally, things got so bad that I had to do something. The surgeon did two things: a sphincterotomy (?) (which I'm not sure was necessary, but took the dr recommendation) and cauterization of the fissures. Healing took a few days (really about a week for full healing), but everytime I have a BM I thank the surgeon! I should have done it sooner--and the dr should have recommended it sooner.

AA21 · 12-04-2002, 10:01 PM

I saw the doc, and he said that there's not much else to do except for the surgery. He said it's a 5 min procedure, and that he's done over a thousand of them. He said that not one patient yet has suffered from incontinence from the surgery. So, I scheduled surgery for Dec. 17th.

To Joedoke, can you let me know all the details about the surgery, including the recovery, and if you're back to 100%?

Thanks a lot.

MLWC · 12-09-2002, 08:17 AM

joedokes...
Thank you for your post...I am still having trouble, but I am scared to do the surgery. If you make a follow-up post about the procedure and any details you can remember, I would also really appreciate it.

Also, AA21...how are you doing?

-MLWC