unique anal fissure? please help

Booie98 · 04-19-2007, 06:50 PM

Hello all, I'm desperate for help. I'll try to be as brief as possible. About a month ago I noticed a vague sensation of swelling next to my anus (location closest to vagina) At first it was not painful. A few weeks ago, it "erupted" or ripped open and I've been in pain since then. I saw a colon/rectal surgeon, who diagnosed an anal fissure and made reference to a skin tag. I think he's referring to the swelling as a skin tag. Here's what's odd - I don't remember any pain with a bowel movement, or any blood whatsoever. The only pain I had was when he did a digital exam. My main source of pain is this swelling/skin tag. It is quite large and has somewhat jagged edges. It hurts to sit on it. Is this just an extension of the fissure? Will it ever "go down"? Two days ago I started nifedipine topical ointment. No change. Is this unusual? Please help!! Thanks in advance.

shygrl2 · 04-20-2007, 09:10 AM

Hello,
I just posted on the lateral sphinter surgery below. But I know what your going through and in my case. My skin tag didnot heal until after my surgery.

The tag will always be there the swelling and pain is now gone, But I still have the tag. If you have a fissure....your sphinter muscle is in spasm and this is what is flaring up the tag as well.

I tried all other treatments and failed ...this is why I had to have surgery.
I'm 100% better

Hope this helps

Booie98 · 04-20-2007, 10:23 AM

Hello and thanks for your response! This is absolutely the worst thing I've endured in my life healthwise. I have a few questions- could they not remove the tag when they did your surgery? Also, I've seen many post mentioning spasms...I'm not aware of any spasms going on..just pain. Is that possible? My surgeon doesn't want to see me back for 6 weeks, but I don't know if I can live like this for that long. I'm also confused as his office nurse has said that "many" chronic fissures heal with treatment, but that doesn't seem to be the story from the firsthand accounts I've been reading...thanks! Lynn

shygrl2 · 04-21-2007, 01:39 AM

Hello again,

You know.....I don't really know if they can remove the tag. My surgeon knew I had the tag before the surgery and I was surprised to see it was still there after the surgery.

I never did call to ask why he left it, Because It really doesn't bother me at all and I guess I thought I should leave well enough alone. If it starts to bother me...i guess i'll then call.

And about the spasm....when you have fissures your sphinter muscle is always in spasm....it feels like deep pain and pressure...throbbing pain.
I suffered for 2 years with this pain.....i tried everything to relax my sphinter muscle....like nitro ointment and my surgeon told me that if that didn't work within 6 weeks....i would not heal the fissures. I just didn't want to believe him.

My surgeon told me that when you have fissures.....it's almost like having a crack in the middle of your bottom lip and when you smile it always breaks open and when your not smiling it starts to heal ....well the same thing is going on down there. This is why is so important to use a stool softner.

I feel your pain. I hope things work out for you. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

Booie98 · 04-21-2007, 09:50 AM

well, I'll have to make sure I talk to the surgeon about this if I wind up going the surgery route. Unless the surgery makes this "tag" less swollen and painful, it's got to come off or I'll have no relief. I feel like I'm trying to walk around without having my legs/butt cheeks touch because of the friction, I'm sure this looks pretty odd to the casual observer. thanks again for your help!