How many people know?

Do you suffer from Crohn's/Colitis or IBS. If you are looking for info on how to deal with an anal fissure with these ailments, or just wanting to share your experiences, then this is the place.

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How many people know?

Postby Mae » 14 Mar 2015, 09:36

How many people in your life know about your issues? What are some polite ways of referring to them?

I have IBS, hemorrhoids and possibly the occasional fissure and I'm in my early 20s. People my age don't understand the struggle a lot of the time. If I hint around at what my issues are they laugh nervously or say it's all in my head (I've been known to be a hypochondriac ) I'm especially awkward about talking to my boyfriend about it even though we pride ourselves in having no secrets. It just seems unladylike to talk about that stuff with him ... even more so than talking to him about my period symptoms. He's not in nursing school like I am so any kind of body stuff makes him uncomfortable. I'll be over his house and he'll ask why I keep wincing while sitting or why I keep running to the bathroom or why I'm so religious about my diet. It's surprisingly hard to keep this stuff secret from people who spend a lot of time with you.
● Fissure first appeared Nov '14
● Cycle of healing and reappearing
● Using conservative methods (metamucil, managing anxiety)
Mae
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Re: How many people know?

Postby Scientist2516 » 14 Mar 2015, 17:52

My husband knew first, and then my children (they are teenagers). I couldn't keep it from them because I was in pain and couldn't do a lot of things I normally do.
I didn't tell anyone else for a long time. I did eventually tell a friend who was an assistant in a colorectal practice. It was quite a relief to talk about it to somebody who knew.

Even if your boyfriend is uncomfortable, you should probably tell him. I know it's hard. I would have to brace myself to talk to my husband about doctor appointments etc, but honestly, wouldn't he rather know what's up? Anyway, it's such a huge problem, you need to be able to talk about with somebody. Of course, that's what this forum is for, so I'm glad you are here.
Nifedipine/lidocaine, no help
Diltiazem, effective, but caused major rash
Nitroglycerine, effective.
Topical estrogen for final healing.
Gentle heat to bottom - pain relief, muscle relaxant
Kondremul mineral oil
Time - lots of time.
Status - Healed!
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Re: How many people know?

Postby Mae » 15 Mar 2015, 10:12

Yes this forum has been an awesome help! But yeah the truth might end up coming out eventually. I'm not as active adds used to be. I mean I still exercise, but it's lighter and less intense as before. Some of my friend are wondering why. I can only keep blaming it on a knee injury (from 6 month ago) for so long. : P
● Fissure first appeared Nov '14
● Cycle of healing and reappearing
● Using conservative methods (metamucil, managing anxiety)
Mae
Proctosphincteranalogist
 
Posts: 132
Topics: 38
Joined: 01 Dec 2014, 21:24
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 3 times
Gender: Female

Re: How many people know?

Postby Scientist2516 » 15 Mar 2015, 21:39

Well, I'll tell you something else: at one point I started to think more people should know about how hemmies and fissures can ruin your life for a long time, and how important it is to eat right, not strain on the toilet etc. So I contacted Jane Brody who writes a health column for the New York Times, and asked her to write about anal fissures. She phoned me up! She told me that she recently realised that her grandmother had had an anal fissure (put two and two together and realised that's what it was). She was keen to write a column and asked if she could quote me.
Oh my gosh, quote me in an article about anal fissures in the New York Times. Talk about going public. I said yes. After the article came out, I walked around feeling naked sure everyone knew about my horrible problem.
Only one person ever said anything to me about it, and she had had a fissure too. It really never became a big deal. So (shrug) maybe hundreds of people know about it, but it never made a difference to me.
Nifedipine/lidocaine, no help
Diltiazem, effective, but caused major rash
Nitroglycerine, effective.
Topical estrogen for final healing.
Gentle heat to bottom - pain relief, muscle relaxant
Kondremul mineral oil
Time - lots of time.
Status - Healed!
User avatar
Scientist2516
Moderator
 
Posts: 1120
Topics: 16
Joined: 21 Jul 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 157 times
Been thanked: 214 times
Gender: Female

Re: How many people know?

Postby Scientist2516 » 15 Mar 2015, 21:42

Here's the link. Some of the comments are very good too.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/1 ... cuss/?_r=0
Nifedipine/lidocaine, no help
Diltiazem, effective, but caused major rash
Nitroglycerine, effective.
Topical estrogen for final healing.
Gentle heat to bottom - pain relief, muscle relaxant
Kondremul mineral oil
Time - lots of time.
Status - Healed!
User avatar
Scientist2516
Moderator
 
Posts: 1120
Topics: 16
Joined: 21 Jul 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 157 times
Been thanked: 214 times
Gender: Female

Re: How many people know?

Postby Mae » 15 Mar 2015, 22:34

That's awesome, haha. Pretty good article too. (Although she says hemmies don't cause pain while defecating. I thought they could?)

How exactly does nitroglycerin work?
● Fissure first appeared Nov '14
● Cycle of healing and reappearing
● Using conservative methods (metamucil, managing anxiety)
Mae
Proctosphincteranalogist
 
Posts: 132
Topics: 38
Joined: 01 Dec 2014, 21:24
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 3 times
Gender: Female

Re: How many people know?

Postby Scientist2516 » 16 Mar 2015, 08:18

I don't know exactly, it's a bit complicated. But basically, it relaxes smooth muscle. Your internal anal sphincter is smooth muscle, and relaxing it eases the spasms, and allows better blood flow to the area. The blood vessels themselves are also smooth muscle, and relaxing the vessel walls allows more blood flow too.
Nitro is also used for high blood pressure for the same reason, and also that's why some people get headaches when they take it.
Nifedipine/lidocaine, no help
Diltiazem, effective, but caused major rash
Nitroglycerine, effective.
Topical estrogen for final healing.
Gentle heat to bottom - pain relief, muscle relaxant
Kondremul mineral oil
Time - lots of time.
Status - Healed!
User avatar
Scientist2516
Moderator
 
Posts: 1120
Topics: 16
Joined: 21 Jul 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 157 times
Been thanked: 214 times
Gender: Female

Re: How many people know?

Postby Mae » 16 Mar 2015, 08:27

So it speeds healing? Is it applied internally or externally?
● Fissure first appeared Nov '14
● Cycle of healing and reappearing
● Using conservative methods (metamucil, managing anxiety)
Mae
Proctosphincteranalogist
 
Posts: 132
Topics: 38
Joined: 01 Dec 2014, 21:24
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 3 times
Gender: Female

Re: How many people know?

Postby Scientist2516 » 16 Mar 2015, 11:18

Yes, it speeds healing. I applied it to the external anus. You could rub it up inside too if you want to, but it's not necessary at all. After all, if it can reach your head after being put on your bottom, I'm sure it is very well absorbed locally!
Nifedipine/lidocaine, no help
Diltiazem, effective, but caused major rash
Nitroglycerine, effective.
Topical estrogen for final healing.
Gentle heat to bottom - pain relief, muscle relaxant
Kondremul mineral oil
Time - lots of time.
Status - Healed!
User avatar
Scientist2516
Moderator
 
Posts: 1120
Topics: 16
Joined: 21 Jul 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 157 times
Been thanked: 214 times
Gender: Female

Re: How many people know?

Postby Mae » 16 Mar 2015, 14:37

That's good news cuz I hate the thought of sticking anything back there, haha. Nitroglycerine will be the first thing I try if it is indeed a fissure. (I can't get an appointment anytime soon)
● Fissure first appeared Nov '14
● Cycle of healing and reappearing
● Using conservative methods (metamucil, managing anxiety)
Mae
Proctosphincteranalogist
 
Posts: 132
Topics: 38
Joined: 01 Dec 2014, 21:24
Has thanked: 6 times
Been thanked: 3 times
Gender: Female


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