Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Hi I guess if I wanted to try to undo something I might try a steam activated charcoal poultice on it to see if it would adsorb toxin. The poultice is made with 2 Tablespoons of charcoal and 2 tablespoons of flax meal or seed and about 4-6 tablespoons of water and simmered a bit until there is a paste. The mix can be placed within an inch of the edge of a paper towel so that it does not ooze out. The paper towel can then be folded lengthwise and placed on the area that is affected. It can be placed directly on skin if a mess is not minded and might be slightly more effective than the paper towel. It will not come out of underwear or linens. I am not sure it would work though. I suppose if it was felt that a person was better the other way a procedure could be redone if all parties agree to it. I hope this helps someone.
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Just for clarification, my GP is referring me to the CRS and recommending the Botox.
The CRS will be conducting his own analysis of the issue and develop a plan to resolve. At this point, I am not sure if there is a tag or fissure.
Thus at this point, I am not sure exactly what the plan is except that the specialist (CRS) will now take the lead on my treatment.
On a side note, my spasm pain has literally disappeared after 2 full months of 2x/day metamucil and lots of water. The only 'issue' I have is some tenderness at the 12 o'clock position of sphincter (externally) when I pass gas
My GP is hopeful that by the time I see the CRS, my symptoms may have fully subsided. Lets hope so
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Tygriff, I have the exact same symptoms! I'm not sure what mine is. I went to my GP and he checked for hemmroids...he just looked at the area and didn't see any externals, he didn't check for internals b/c I never have bleeding. I'm only 20, i work out on a regular basis and I eat healthy, the only exception is occational sweets and lots of coffee(I only drink it black, sometimes w/ cream). I do have the buring pain you described, and I do feel like I have small cuts in the area. I just saw my doctor a few days ago for a physical (to start one of my college classes), but I didn't want to bring up my problems a second time since it would be awkward and embarrassing talking about that with the medical assistant in the room. Should I just email my doc and ask about it/ get a referral to a GI specialist?
Last edited by caligrl0618; 01-25-2011 at 10:41 PM.
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Caligirl,
If you can wait a little while longer, I will likely get my final diagnosis in the next couple of weeks when I see the CRS. I will post what he/she thinks the issue is.
If you can't wait, I don't think there is any harm in asking for a referral (unless you doc takes offense to it). If you get your answer before me, please share it with us
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Hi! I'm still new to this board so it took me a while to find old posts. How did your results turn out? I emailed my doctor and he will give me a refferal but wants to do conservative treatments first. He said its unusual b/c I dont have a cause (for my constipation...thats likely causing my fissure). B/c I eat really healthy fruits veggie, fiber...no dairy(i'm semi lactose intolerant and cutting back on coffee)...so I don't get it. i'm assuming i have a food allergin/irritability to a certain food? or maybe not enough magnesium in my diet?
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
I'm seeing a nutritionist who has me on a ton of fiber ( i'm taking 35 g a day, mostly thru product called FiberWise), magnesium (product called Calm) and drinking 64 oz of water in addition to what I'm taking withe the fiber and my constipation is gone and so is most of the pain, at least the excrutiating variety. I still have some pain so I know the fissure isn't healed and I'm being very careful, but what a relief. So my advice to everyone with an anal fissure is do whatever it takes to get your stools soft and fluffy. Once you hit that stage, you'll be on your way.
I've had Botox and am also on Nifedipine, but they weren't enough. Ridiculous that MDs weren't as concerned about the state of my stools as they were about giving me expensive drugs.
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Still waiting on seeing the CRS (4 weeks now with no appointment scheduled!!).
But as I noted before, I am not in any severe pain by any means. It is definitely more than tolerable, just not forever.
I am currently taking Metamuccil 2x per day, but I might follow Bayridge's experience and try Fibrewise and Calm.
Not looking forward to the CRS as he will probable get his fingers up there and re-tear what has healed
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Quote:
Originally Posted by tygriff
BayRidge,
Can you elaborate on your symptoms? Here are mine:
1. Slight discomfort (stretch feeling) at the start of a BM then no issues during the rest of the BM
2. For about 30-60 mins after the BM I am fine as well
3. Then I begin to feel a creeping, sharp pain that does NOT get excrutiating, it is just there and this occurs every couple of minutes over many hours at the sphincter area. These peaks of pain only last a couple of seconds. Between these it seems OK
4. Flexing of the sphincter muscle causes discomfort
5. Relief during the peaks of the discomfort can be achieved by pushing (like pushing out a BM).
Sound similar?
Hi, I'm suffering with very similar symptoms to you, I had a fissure for years and eventually had LIS surgery which hasn't been very effective hence the symptoms.
During BM I have virtually no pain then a little after I get increasing discomfort but it never gets unbearable and is definitely located at the sphincter, flexing or tensing of the sphincter causes a sharp prickly like pain and when I bear down like when having a poop it disappears, it's very annoying and I'm currently trying to get an appointment to see a CRS... I need more answers.
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Love the forum name!!!!!
I am still waiting on seeing the CRS. I find if I keep hydrated and fibre levels up (trying to get 40mg/day). The length of time for discomfort is minimal (less than 1 hour). However, as soon as I have a harder BM, I am right back to where I started.
My GP is recommending the CRS conduct a Botox injection. I am hoping the CRS can confirm the diagnosis and resolve this once and for all.
However, the discomfort is not enough to demand immediate relief. I am more concerned the symptoms are not a sign of something more severe (ie: Crohn's or cancer).
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Hi Tygriff I would not do any bearing down or pushing. Pushing can cause a tear if the BM is hard, similar to a pregnant woman tearing herself as the baby comes out with hard pushing. A gentle massage around the area if stuck with a gloved finger on the outside or hand in a sandwich bag with olive oil and a good amount water 30 minutes or more before the BM may be helpful. They say if the finger ever goes inside there is a possibility of pushing the finger through the bowel wall though.
A walk after meals is important since it provides a gentle rocking motion to the pelvis to help keep the bowels in motion. Have a nice day!
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Quote:
Originally Posted by tygriff
Love the forum name!!!!!
I am still waiting on seeing the CRS. I find if I keep hydrated and fibre levels up (trying to get 40mg/day). The length of time for discomfort is minimal (less than 1 hour). However, as soon as I have a harder BM, I am right back to where I started.
My GP is recommending the CRS conduct a Botox injection. I am hoping the CRS can confirm the diagnosis and resolve this once and for all.
However, the discomfort is not enough to demand immediate relief. I am more concerned the symptoms are not a sign of something more severe (ie: Crohn's or cancer).
Sometimes, not always, I get less discomfort from a hard stool than I do from a sloppy one though at the start of BM with hard stool it can hurt a little but with soft stools it burns after, just can't win!
I think the likelihood of it being cancer is really slim but is still a worry as with Crohns, though Crohns is quite treatable but still uncurable it is the lesser of the two evils.
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
I posted this on a new thread, but another doctor told me if I take ibuprofeon two hours before I expect pain, it will work much better. Since I know I will have one after breakfast, I got up at 5:30 this morning, took two pills and didn't have any pain after. Amazing.
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyRectumHatesMe
Sometimes, not always, I get less discomfort from a hard stool than I do from a sloppy one though at the start of BM with hard stool it can hurt a little but with soft stools it burns after, just can't win!
I think the likelihood of it being cancer is really slim but is still a worry as with Crohns, though Crohns is quite treatable but still uncurable it is the lesser of the two evils.
Sounds like you have exactly what I experience! I hope I only have a fissure and not a hemmroid. I have yet to make an apt w/ my doc b/c everytime I think about making one I feel a little better...like the irritation is tolerable. I should make one with a specialist to get properly diagnosed before it gets worse
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Met with the surgeon today for a consultation. He conducted a superficial exam and confirmed an anal fissure.
Because of my family history (grandmother died of colon cancer, father had colon removed due to complications from diverticulitis), they have scheduled me for a colonoscopy.
After the colonoscopy they will be injecting BOTOX into the sphincter muscle to resolve the chronic fissure (lets hope).
Actually not too worried about the colonoscopy. If there is an issue, then hopefully they find it early (I am only 37 yrs old).
My appt is scheduled for June. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
I just had the surgery last week and my surgeon wouldn't give me a colonoscopy at the same time because the prep (basically you have to give yourself diarrhea) would have been too painful for someone with a fissure. I also had Botox, which didn't work for me, and while I agree that you should have a colonoscopy, wouldn't it be better to wait a bit to see if you can get the fissure to heal first and then have the colonoscopy?
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Bayridge,
I appreciate your concern, however in my particular case the fissure is not truly painfull, just uncomfortable. I have no issues with pain or blood during BM now. Only slight discomfort after a BM due to muscle spasm. Based on this, the doctor felt that the fissure would not be significantly affected by the prep.
I would prefer to get it all done at the same time anyways.
Hopefully my BOTOX works. If not, no biggie as I am definitely not incapacitated by this issue as it stands now.
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain
Hi botox has not been all that healthy for some and anal fissures might be assisted by olive oil from a gloved finger after a wipe and water pour. It is also highly important to avoid constipation. I thought the appointment was scheduled for June.
Re: Anal Fissure - I think but no significant pain 
