Treatments for Fissure

[lbp35]

I tried the nitro, and didn't have much success but then I went to a different doctor and got what was called diltiazem (sp?). It really worked, along with taking warm baths, drinking alot of water and watching my diet. When I went back for my check up the doc will do a botox injection if the fissure was not healed. When she checked me she said wow, the fissure is just about healed from the medication, but gave me the botox injection anyway. OUCH! But even without it, I had very good results from the diltiazem. Maybe ask your doc about it! Good luck!

[chigs489]

Did you use lots of Colace (stool softener). I took a bunch last night, and it has really helped today.

How long was the fissure bothering you before getting the medication?

[lbp35]

I was recovering from a hemmorhoidectomy when I got the fissure sO I am not sure exactly how long I had it but I would say a couple of months. I was taking colace but it didn't seem to help me but hey whatever works, right? When I went to the 2nd doc who prescribed the diltiazem, she recommended fiber-all, or benefiber or metamucil instead, that has worked and I eat some type of bran cereal for breakfeast. Try to get a prescription before you even think about surgery.It helped for me! Alot of water helps too.If you have any other questions, just ask I'd be glad to help!

[Sherillc]

Ibp35: How did you find the Botox (aside from the ouch!)? I've heard about this treatment in place of the sphincterotomy, but I'm wondering how many doctors are using botox. It sounds so much more appealing to me than getting the muscle cut which is such a permanent procedure. I worry about my "control" not only after the procedure but also fifty years from now.

Chiggins: I hear ya! I know exactly how you feel about the relapses. I've had my fissure for about three months now and it has gotten better a few times only to re-tear. I was completely pain free for a good two weeks or so about a month back and I started thinking I was healed... no such luck. Now, once again things have improved to the point where I have had no bleeding for a couple of weeks now, but still some pain during a bm (not much) and a little pain after (only for an hour or so). Compared to when I was at my worst: excruciating (make you wanna scream) pain, lots of blood and the after-pain for about six or seven hours, my current condition seems like a walk in the park. That doesn't mean that I'm happy with things though. I just want to be 100% back to normal!

As for your doctor saying that nitro cream is for spasms, yeah it is but if you have any kind of anal pain, you are gonna have spasms, it's a natural response. The whole point of the nitro is to keep you from spasming and causing more tearing. *sigh* your doctor sounds like my doctor and most doctors for that matter! I was given cortisone cream which I later learned can cause thinning of the skin (the last thing I need) and it really didn't do anything for me except irritate the area more.

Are you having lots of baths (short warm baths - 15 mins or so about four times a day)? If not try that and try epsom salts in the bath - that relaxes muscles as well. If you have a lot of after pain (after a bm), try getting yourself a little heating pad to sit on immediately after a bm. It has worked really well for me.

Sherill

[lbp35]

Sherrill,
I agree with you about the baths. That seemed to help me alot. I took one every evening then applied the diltiazem. I didn't have alot of pain with mine as some people do, thank goodness! But I was still recovering from a very painful hemmorhoidectomy so I did not want any more surgery, NO WAY! So when I wasn't getting anywhere with my surgeon, I found a colorectal surgeon and she was great. She did talk to me about my diet and fiber and said surgery was the last resort. She would do 2 botox treatments first. After using the cream though, it was really healing. I told her to do the botox anyway because her office was a good ways from my house. It was really painful, I won't lie but just for a few seconds. I didn't like the idea of having that muscle cut either especially right after the first messed up surgery. Hope this helps!keep me posted.