I am 17-days post-op not sure if I had a fissurectomy or LIS, and I had a hemorrhoidectomy as well - I'm thinking maybe I had LIS, as I was told that I only needed to take one week off work (which was not correct, by the way). Thankfully, I have a job that allows me to work from home, so I spent the week last week working away on my computer sitting on my dining room table.
Anyway, bottom line, the reason why I am finding myself on this website is because I'm still in a lot of pain and having other issues post-op. Of course, I'm not in anywhere near as much pain as I was after the first 5 days, or even the first 10 days, but I am still suffering. I have only been off the pain meds for about 5 days now - I was in so much pain that it was necessary for me to continue taking them up until then.
I am concerned also because I feel like I still have a lot of swelling in my anal area. To make matters worse, I was diagnosed with another rectal problem back a couple of months ago - a rectal intussusception and rectocele - both of which my colorectal surgeon feels that I should hold out on treatment of due to the riskiness of the surgery. I am wondering if the intussusception/rectocele is making me hurt more everytime I have a BM.
I am also having some fecal soiling after BMs since surgery. I feel like I need to run to the bathroom at first urge - as I have soiled my pad (thankfully I'm still wearing maxi pads - I don't dare to go anywhere without them) before I got to the bathroom. I was supposed to return to work last week, but could not due to this issue.
My bowels are far from being regular - I will have a day of extreme constipation followed by a day of frequent BMs (not diarrhea). Since I have the rectal intussusception, I was told by my GI doctor to take Miralax daily, which I have been doing. I'm not sure if I should be taking anything else or not - but decided myself two days ago due to this extreme pain and irregularity to start myself on some stool softeners. This seems to be helping.
Is what I am experiencing typical, or am I totally out of range of normal? Unfortunately, calling my doctor's office is pretty useless, as you can't get past his rude receptionist to ask him any questions - she tries answering them herself, and honestly with my complex case, I don't feel that she is qualified.
Any advice from anybody who has been through some of these issues would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Goldie