Poor you JHH this thing is such a rollercoaster of pain. Let us know what you decide to do. I’m coming up for two years since I had my original skin tag surgery which led to my fissure that refused to heal. I’ve had a few good weeks (I hardly dare to say it) and really there’s no particular reason for this. I was dilating over the summer but it seemed to make me more sore. I’ve used rectogestic for 18 months and eventually got brave enough to stop it. Feel much less sore as actually I think it was burning me a lot aside from the fissure. So now it’s just Movicol (half sachet) gallons of water , not too much fibre as increasing fibre made things so much worse, and just generally hoping one day to be pain free. Last two weeks is the first time since my original tear that I’ve been pain free. Also had a bout of food poisoning and survived that… so we will see. I did have a really hard BM a month ago and thought I’d done real damage but I recovered ok from it after about ten days. Maybe you might feel better soon? Hoping you do and you don’t need Botox but looks like it worked for you last time?? My doc doesn’t seem convinced that Botox will work in me, not sure why. I can’t bear the thought of any intervention anyways. Wishing you good luck and let’s all pray for less pain in 2024!

Ouch Hazey, sounds like you have a rough time also. I think my botox success back then was a combination of the botox, and that lactulose was able to keep my BM soft enough for long enough for my fissure to heal. Don't know why your doc isn't hooked on botox. I would say its worth a shot. Minimal risk, and lots to gain if it works.

I had another hard BM for the third day in a row, could feel the fissure when it passed and the pain now is worse yet again. I hate this illness soo much!

Hi JHH,

I know that pain! feeling of passing glass and with the second fissure, I swear I actually felt when my arse ripped open:( I recommend coconut oil suppositories; will lube the anal canal to help pass poop and also be good for inflammation and healing the fissure.

Sorry to hear that. At least you've already spoken to your doctor and will hopefully get that Botox treatment soon.

Hi JHH
You mention Lactulose, I took this for ages and with mixed success (ie sometimes it just didn’t do the job and I had a hard BM) I have found Movicol is a game changer. Much easier to keep BM nice and soft and nothing too dreadful happens to my digestive system. I just wonder if this might be more reliable to keep things soft while you get over this re tear? Maybe you already used it… just a thought!

Hey Hazey

Thanks for the suggestion. I agree with your findings. Lactulose works most of the time, but sometimes it fails. (Which is my main problem).

I tried movicol for a few days, back 10 years ago when I got my first fissure, and it made my BM smooth as silk. However, after a few days I got sick as a dog, and had to quit it. I may give it another shot though. I feel I can use all the help I can get in this battle. Probably will wait until my next retear tho, since I haven't bled in a week now.

GrrrAF. That sounds like a good suggestion. Right now I prelube with vaseline and it seems to work ok, but I may try your trick if I worsen again. (Which I most likely will...)

Chachacha. Thanks! Yes, this time I'm not going to waste half a year. 6 weeks without healing = botox. After botox 10 weeks without healing = LIS. Simple plan.

Damn. Happened again.. i retore today!

Since last time, after a week, I was doing better and better. Was having painfree BM's and only slight pain during the day.

Now I know what awaits me tomorrow :-(

Hi J,
Just read up on ur story, really sorry to hear about the latest episode.

It’s been about a month since u posted, did u end up getting Botox? How are you doing?

D

Hi there

Thanks for your message. Unfortunately I'm still suffering.

After my last reply I had a week with tearing pain on BMs and some pain afterwards, but again it got gradually better. I had my CRS appointment at 8th feb, and was doing so fine that we agreed to wait with botox and see if I was healing natural.

Then a week later, on the 14th feb I retore. This time it felt like the fissure was in the front. Maybe a new fissure?

Anyway, I called the CRS and am now waiting for botox.

After around a week, I again stopped having pain on BMs, but I still suffer afterwards.

On top of all this, I'm starting to wake up on the middle of the night wirh tummy acke. This is also something I experienced last round 10 years ago. Maybe a combination of what I eat and the stool softners, and/or the stress from having a fissure.

So how are you doing? Do you have a thread with your story?

Felt almost normal, but tore it open again this morning. Great... Still waiting for my botox appointment!