I really appreciate your reply. I did not have an exam in person, just talked over the phone. The Dr. on call (my Dr. is out of town) felt that is "most likely" a fissure, a complication of the hemroid surgery. After researching fissures on the internet, it sounds like I have all the symptoms of a fissure. I am hoping it is healed before it becomes chronic. I did have one about 20 years ago, it healed on its own, but this seems more painful. I guess the memory of pain of the past may have dimmed over the years.
My pain and bleeding had been getting worse again, though it never has gone away, but the ointment seems to be helping after using it over the weekend. I think I have muscle spasms in the pelvis region after BM's I am to call the Dr's later this week and they will let me know what to do. (Be seen or keep using the annointment)
Did you have any treatments for your fissure before the surgery?
I really feel like I have been doing what was needed to be done, metamucil 2X per day, 2 stool softners/day, Miralax every day or two to keep things moving so I really have not been constipated. Oatmeal with flax daily, salads, fruits and veggies, & have tried to avoid spicy and beef items. I try to drink water frequently, maybe I am not getting enough. My stools have been fairly soft though.
I had virtually no pain before this surgery, only bleeding and mild discomfort, so it is easy to have regrets. Hopefully a few months down the road, I'll look back and be relieved it is over. I definitely want to prevent any future flare ups and keep up the fiber in my diet.
It was good to hear from you about the bleeding, I am definitely not bleeding more than the amount of the stool. That sounds like a lot!
I am happy to hear your fissure is completely healed. That is encouraging. Hoping for your continued healing. Thanks Gaudet2.
It sounds like you very well could have a fissure . Mine was caused by a severely spasmatic anal sphincter and that is why they did the sphincterotomy (made a small cut to relieve the tension). Once the sphincterotomy is done, it allows for the fissure to repair itself quite easily.
I had been in so much pain with the fissure and for so long (silently I may add), I did not do any ointment treatments or anything like that. Plus, since they were already going in to do the hemorrhoidectomy, I think it made sense to work on the fissure and do the sphincterotomy.
You mentioned that you have muscle spasms in the pelvic region. My fissure caused me so much pain and my sphincter was so tight that every time I had a BM , I would practically jump off the toilet it hurt so bad. I wonder if you have a tight sphincter too??
Honestly, as much as it hurts to go now, the pain is really no comparison to the horrid pain I had with my fissure before. The lingering pain after BM's is the only difference as before it was only painful during BM's .
You may want to discuss your spasms with your doc too. If your fissure is caused by a tight sphincter, you would be smart to have it fixed. I am glad I did . As much as another surgery sounds horrible now, I think in the long run you would be glad you had it done.
I know this can put you down in the dumps , I have a long history of depression, but keep telling yourself that you really did make the right decision and in time, you will be glad you did it.
Hello Kincdarella
Sorry to hear about your pain and complication. I had some realy troublesome fissure problems and it can be difficult to deal with. I was given dilitiazem ointment before my surgery that really helped with the fissure healing. It really helped. Hang in there. Try to drink as much water as possible. I drink about 5 to 6 bottles every day at least. I am used to it because I have a bladder disease and havent haven't drank anything else except water for the past 12 years. Ack!! Sounds Impossible but you get used to it.
I just got a new gel rx that is really great from my Dr. It helps with the pain if you have any open wound areas as well as being a antibiotic. I have read about it helping the healing process time. It is metronidazole topical gel. It is really good stuff. Keep it in mind.
Sorry I have been out of touch. After having my 3 wk check up with my Dr. I had to go directly go to the ICU to help my mother with my father who is not doing very well. I spent the following week trying to do the necessary things to try and get through what she had to deal with. However having spent so much more time on my feet and being much more active than I was really prepared for. I really had alot more pain bleeding and tummy problems than I had been, it really makes a difference. For me anyway. Of course my regular little schedule got interupted as well, hospital chairs, food ect. aren't that great. I imagine stress makes a difference for all of us as well.
Hang in there the diltiazem ointment really helped me with the fissure issues in the past, and now the metroniadzole gel is really helping me with the open wound areas pain and healing.
I am on a low dose xanax as well as neurontin resulting from my bladder disease for nerve pain and I really think that they help with the spasm pain. I have heard valium recomended. It might be worth asking about a low dose xanax or valium to relax regarding the spasms. Depends on your Drs. views of course. We are all different. Mine is not the average situation to begin with due to the bladder disease. I also try to use a heating pad for the back pain. Soak in the tub as much as I can. And last but not least the ever faithful old warm/hot water sitz bath to do the butt monster business in.
I sure hope things get better for you girl.
Stay in touch. May all your chairs be soft and your healing increase to move forward quickly.
Hi Guadet2,
Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I definitely think I have had spasms since the beginning of my recovery. I keep hoping for them to go away, but they really haven't, mostly for hours after the BM's ...grrr..
The ointment seems to be helping, I guess it is supposed to work like a chemical sphincterotomy. Hoping that will work and let me heal.
I know what you mean about jumping off of the toilet from pain, it has been quite painful, but has calmed down in the past several days.
It is very discouraging, after talking with the Dr's office last weekend, I just wanted to cry. It's been helpful talking to someone who has experienced these problems and is getting through it. Thanks!
Nice to hear from you. So sorry to hear about your Dad, I know it is so stressful when a loved one is sick. Definitely not easy when you are not feeling well yourself. My Dad died last March, so I know how difficult it can be, it was a long illness. Hope you are feeling better now and having time to rest and find better chairs and food!
Today I will be drinking lots of water, I usually don't drink much else, but will definitely try for more.
Did the dilitiazem ointment heal your fissure? or did they still do surgery on it. It's probably in some of your older posts, sorry. So far, I think it is helping, although, it certainly is not healed yet. ...maybe with time. I will keep in mind the other ointment also.
Do you still have discharge? I am so tired of wearing panty liners all of the time. I also ended up with a yeast infection last week, tried to treat it over the counter but didn't work long. It was a rough week.
I sometimes wonder if it could be the Dr's fault or is it just the way my body handled the hemroid removal. I don't feel like I did enough research before the surgery. They were basically doing a colonoscopy and if they needed to remove any internal hemroids they would do so at the same time. I did not realize how painful it would be or what the complications could be. Guess I feel kind of uninformed and its my fault. I'm still not sure if the hemroids were to the point that I really needed them removed.
I was prescribed xanax when I was dealing with stress last summer but I was always scared to take it, not sure why. Guess I should give it a try next time I feel those muscle spasms coming. I do take flexeril (a muscle relaxant) for neck pain (muscle spasms), not sure if that seemed to help the pelvic region spasms though. The baths help ..... until I get out.
Hoping that all is getting back to normal for you. Take care.
Last edited by kcindarella; 03-11-2008 at 11:56 AM.
Bless your heart hang in there. Don't ever get down on yourself about what is going on. You went to a professional and trusted thier judgement. I am sorry to hear you are having such a challanging time.
The dilitiazem ointment really seemed to have done the trick for the fissure. The Dr. started me on it 3 wks prior and said that it had healed up when she did the surgery. I have had a discharge and found that a plain gauze folded loosely and placed carefuly is not as chafing as a panty liner can be at times. Especially around home in loose clothing. Have you talked with your Dr. about the yeast problem? Don't feel afraid to advocate for your cause. You should have a partnership with your Dr. I realize that is easier said than done but impossible. You have probably got the worst over with, but do try to give the xanax a shot for the spasms. They can be very painful and chronic pain can wear you down after a while.
Thanks so much for the encouraging comments, the constant health problem does seem to bring a person down. I had a large (15 cm) cyst and ovary removed last summer and now I am dealing with a large (7 inch) keloid scar that is giving me pain. I am scheduled to have it excised the end of March along with steroid injections to try to keep it from coming back. It was scheduled several weeks ago but I was not ready for more pain. I am hoping it will be easy after dealing with these issues.
I have been in contact with my ob/gyn and have tried 3 day monistat and 2 dozes of fluconazole. I will be seeing her today to see if things have cleared up. The gauze instead of a panty liner is something I will definititely try.
The dilitiazem ointment seems to helping. Definitely less pain, haven't taken a pain pill in a few days and the bleeding is better. It is encouraging to hear it has worked for others. Will keep the xanax in mind if I feel any more spasms.
Instead of a general surgeon I wonder if I should have found a specialist. You are right, I did trust the Dr's professional judgement. I am trying to make the most of the situation now and move on. Things seem to be improving the last few days, praying things continue. Trying to have positive thoughts.
Thanks Gizz and Guadet2 for your support. Take Care.
You are really doing well handling all you have got going on.
You have alot on your plate and I know from experience that chronic pain and medications can have a huge effect on your mind and body, and it sounds like you are doing pretty well with all of it, so give yourself credit due. You have more behind you than in front of you, "no pun intended" toward your complete recovery. I am glad you are going to see your gynecologist. I hope that will be a helpful and reassuring visit. Maybe you could go ahead and share some of your concerns with her if you feel comfortable with it.
Something else you might want to try is to just wear things that will allow as much air flow if you will as possible around the house. Like gowns instead of pants. Especially if just watching TV or napping. Just put a towel or something you are comfortable with under the old bumm and let the air get to the area that needs to heal. Now I know that may sound unusual but I know honestly it has helped me with other surgical issues I have had in the past. And I have had some doozies..
So fresh air, fiber, gauze, water, correct meds, warm baths, etc. Be good to yourself. You are doing great.. Hang in there.. Just do it a day at a time...
Hi,
I have been given a antibiotic for a bacterial infection, still not sure if that is what it is but I only have one day left. They did a culture but haven't heard if that showed anything. I have been trying to keep the air circulating, no more pads!
Today I go see the surgeon, I plan on getting some answers ... Like how long will this go on?
Not sure if I should have another surgery until this is resolved. Though I want to get this all behind me.
Gizz, How is your recovery going? Do you feel like everything is good ? I hope so. Thanks for the good advice and definitely the encouragement. Certain days can be discouraging.
I guess I have 2 fissures . Out of the 3 internal hemroids removed, only one has healed correctly. A little discouraging, I am trying to get into a specialist but can't get in until early April. Will continue using the ointment and hope it heals the fissures.
I have decided to postpone my next surgery till things have healed up, don't want to risk any constipation or straining until the fissures heal.
I have a question though... I had two internal hemmorhoids banded, and a very large skin tag cut off that was at the outside of my rectal opening.
SHould the procedure I had cause me similar pain to what you guys have been through? I have all the same pain, with the exception of the spasming (however I have a long history of interstitial cystitis and pelvic floor dysfunction and muscle problems, so the muscles are always tight and contracted).
My surgeon said I could be back to work in 4 days. I am still in agony and the swelling is the worst it has been, now on day 5. THings are swollen terribly and the pain after a BM stings like crazy.
I told my employer I would try to be back next day... but I have told him I will go back tomorrow (day 6) and I am terrified. I cannot properly deal with a BM at work! I have to gently use the handheld shower now to help clean off - there is no way i can wipe (i tried, it hurt so bad I almost passed out).
So am I warranted in this, or is a skin tag removal small beans? I think I may have to try to work half days, as it hurts so bad to sit upright.
Sorry to hear about your pain, it does take a long time to recover. I had 3 internal hemroids removed (though the incision extends into the outer) and a skin tag removed externally. That area outside is very tender and seems to have a lot of nerves there. I know from my experience the outer area is very sensitive and seemed to lightly bleed for a long time. Mine still is slightly swollen at 7 1/2 weeks, although fissures are now involved.
Keep the BM's soft and moving. Soaking in a tub after BM's seems to help. (Can't do that at work though). I found the tub helped more but there are sitz baths available from drug stores for about $10. Have you tried the wet wipes? Dabbing to clean seems better than wiping.
You could ask your Dr's office for some type of ointment to possibly reduce the pain. My Dr's office seemed to minimize the pain and recovery time involved, sounds like your might too.
Hi, ilovescooby. I had surgery in December - very similar to yours. I believe that the spots where the skin tags were are slowest to heal!! I would NOT call them small beans! Ha!
First of all, calm down. Going back to work is not easy, but there are some ways to make it easier.
#1. Consider taking tylenol for the pain and ibuproven for the swelling. My doctor had me taking the combination for the first couple of weeks, and it helped me so much much more than narcotics. Take tylenol every four hours, take ibuproven two hours later, every four hours. So you're taking pills every two hours. I suspect you will get so much relief that you'll need only a couple of days like that.
#2. Build a little bathroom kit to take to work. You will need a 2 quart plastic bottle, a squirt bottle, soft gauze/wipes. When you go into the bathroom, fill the bottles with nice warm water. Take them both into the stall with you. After a bm, use the squirt bottle to clean yourself ... and when the squirt bottle is empty, use the 2 quart bottle to refill the squirt bottle so you don't have to get up! Use the gauze to dab til you're clean so it can just be flushed away.
kcindarella has great points ... keep those bms soft and moving! That is the best advice of all. I think that once you get to work, you'll know whether or not you are ready to be there. Trust your instincts. Good luck.
I am to call the Dr's later this week and they will let me know what to do. (Be seen or keep using the annointment) 
...
. Mine was caused by a severely spasmatic anal sphincter and that is why they did the sphincterotomy (made a small cut to relieve the tension). Once the sphincterotomy is done, it allows for the fissure to repair itself quite easily. 
Sounds Impossible but you get used to it.
and its my fault. I'm still not sure if the hemroids were to the point that I really needed them removed.
"no pun intended" toward your complete recovery. I am glad you are going to see your gynecologist. I hope that will be a helpful and reassuring visit. Maybe you could go ahead and share some of your concerns with her if you feel comfortable with it. 
