Hello Friends
I wanted to share my ordeal and recovery through the AF. I am 98% recovered now and this forum provided a lot of information and humor that kept me sane through this. So I thought I owe it to all here to share my path to recovery ☺
My problem started with very bad eating habits and little water in the diet. It manifested itself as a Thrombosed Hemorrhoid. Drove to the doctor in sheer pain, crying all the while and barely managed to make it to the office. As I waited, I popped 2 ibuprofens to manage the pain. The doctor (general surgery, not CRS) said that he can cut it right there in his office as an outpatient procedure. But he said that the body was already taking care of it as it was bleeding and it can heal on its own. I was happy to let body heal on its own. I went home thinking that not pooping for a couple of days would relieve pressure and heal. Oh boy! Was I wrong?
After a week of this constant pain(did have a hard BM during this week every time I went ), I was in even more pain and went to the doc again. This time the hemmy had almost healed but there was a fissure now. Hard stool had backed up in my system. This visit was Monday. Now, I was armed with Miralax, Ducosate and 0.2% nitroglycerine (did not know that it had to be applied inside the anus)!
Well, with my plethora of medicines, I started my High Fiber, high water diet. By wed, I was still backed up and I almost fainted while trying to pass a massive piece of hard stool. I could not do it, and sucked it back inside-cried all day and emailed the doc. The doc suggested Glycerin Suppository, which I put in Thu morning and pooped out such a big, hard piece of stool. OMG! Have not felt such relief and terror at the same time.
By now, the diet, miralax and stool softener decided to take charge and the following few days, things got gradually softer. I was aiming for toothpaste consistency in the bathroom. It took me some time to get there but I figured out the right dosage, knew to put 0.2% Nitro inside the anus, sitz baths etc. This whole process took another 1.5 weeks.
I went to the doc at the 3-week mark, 5-week mark and y’day was the 7-week mark. Y’day he said, it’s completely healed!! However, I still feel anxious. There is still some itching and pricking which I asked the doc. He said, “ itching is the lowest form of pain and pricking means the nerves are trying to form connections again”.
Also right before my periods, I get slightly constipated and can feel the fissure. I up my intake of Miralax at the first sign. The doctor said that’s because of pressure felt in the body during that time.
Now this is my regimen:
Morning: get up- 2 glasses of water, which sets things in motion.
Breakfast : High Fiber Cereal (Fiber one)
Snack: an apple or any high fiber fruit
Lunch : Mostly salad or high fiber meal- brown rice/beans etc.
Snack: Nuts/ dates
Dinner : Leafy Veggies or some fibrous meal again
During the day I take a heaping tablespoon of Citrucel. Before sleeping I take half a cap of Miralax. Drink 3 liters of water a day and do sitz bath at night. Doc says that’s when our body is repairing itself. He’s also prescribed Lidocaine if the pricking gets severe.
Sometimes I still get depressed and anxious as things are still not perfect there and it’s been so long! The doc says that the nerves grow at the rate of 1mm per month! I’m learning to be patient and smile!
Hope this helps! Things do get better!