Nitroglycerin treatment for fissure - Bowel Disorders Message Board

Lizardwoman85 · 06-20-2008, 05:28 AM

I was just told by my doctor that I have a pretty nasty fissure. He wanted to try some medicine treatments before going to surgery though, which I agreed was a good idea. But was surprised when he prescribed me Nitroglycerin to apply to the anal canal. His explanation for why it would work makes sense, but after using it....I'm not sure how safe it is. I get systemic symptoms (pounding heart, headache) whenever I apply it.

Is this really a safe treatment? Anybody else had a doctor try to use it to treat anal/rectal problems?

Thanks!

dianaj85 · 11-21-2008, 07:45 AM

I was just wondering if you ever got your fissure healed? I am also trying nitro ointment, and experiencing immediate headaches after applying. I am still hopeful this will help, as I've had trouble with fissures for about a year. The studies I've seen online seem to say that there is quite a bit of success with the ointment. I see a surgeon in a couple of weeks. Even if I get some healing with this treatment, I want to have at least one of the large tags removed, as I feel this is causing more discomfort (it swells, is hard to clean around, and hurts).

Let me know if you've gotten some relief!

suzyljank · 11-21-2008, 02:51 PM

Hi, I tried nitro too and it also gave me headaches so I took a little of the nitro and added some vaseline to cut the strength and it helped. It didn't heal the fissure though and I had surgery a few weeks ago. As for removal of your skin tag, I don't think they'll remove it unless your fissure is healed. Skin tags are caused by fissures, it's kind of their protection and they will keep coming back as long as the fissure is active. Fissures are painful, nasty little buggers and until I got one I never knew how much they could disrupt your life. Good luck with yours, hope it heals soon. Suzy

dianaj85 · 11-24-2008, 06:15 AM

Thank, Suzy. These fissures have really been running my life, lately. It's terrible to be so consumed with what I'm eating, and trying to get them healed. The headaches have diminished GREATLY, and, I've been not using as much of the ointment each time. Maybe that has helped.

I feel like I go two steps forward, then two steps back. Over and over, again. I thought I seemed better with the ointment (everything was much less swollen and angry), and I'd really been focusing on not rubbing the area with wipes, etc. (even though it itches like mad!). But then, last night, after a BM, and cleaning the area, I could feel the darn stinging, again. Back in the tub for me...for the third time that day.

I really feel like I'm getting depressed with this. It has robbed me of my confidence and any feeling of femininity I may have had. I just feel gross all the time.

I have an apt. to see a surgeon in two weeks. I'll be ready for the surgery for sure, if this hasn't made a significant difference in things down there.

How are you healing up? Did you have any incontinence afterward (temporary or otherwise). How long has it taken you to "get back to normal". I really just want to feel normal again!!!

Rubydee12 · 11-24-2008, 07:35 AM

diana, After my surgery (October 30) I have had no issues with incontinence. As far as feeling normal again after surgery...about a week. But to be clear, the discomfort after surgery is NOTHING like the pain of a fissure and having a BM is once again not a scary moment, in fact it is now easier than I ever remember. I also had a skin tag removed and that took about another week to heal to the point that I no longer felt like something happened down there. It wasn't painful, I was just aware of it.

My research indicated that nitro wasn't effective in healing chronic fissures and that most people who have tried the treatment eventually ended up having surgery. Though I think it does help heal acute fissures. For me, surgery has made me better than I was before and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am especially glad that I chose to have the skin tag removed, so if you are up for a bit more discomfort I would say have those removed as well since they really seem to bother you.