hi everyone.

I can't find answers to the questions I have by Googling...

about 2-3 months ago now I think stress caused me to experience hypothyroid symptoms. I had been ok and normal before that in the bowel dept. ...but then suddenly constipation, slowly getting worse and worse as there seemed to be less water in the stool. this led to anal fissure which just wouldn't heal. I went to the Dr. for a blood test and they said I "might" have a thyroid problem but they won't know until I do another repeat blood test in June. meanwhile, my bowel problem has not gone away.

so, I went to the pharmacy and got a bunch of constipation related meds, laxatives to keep the stool really soft and suppository that is supposed to heal up anal fissure. I knew if I kept up without these meds there's no way the fissure would heal - the only other alternative would be to stop eating anything until it healed. :/

about 2-3 weeks ago the treatment seemed to work, and I hoped I was healing up finally. I'd had anal fissure one or two times in the past before but it usually healed fairly quickly, never was chronic for months and months like this. but I've been too concerned to stop taking the laxatives after the pain finally stopped in case it just rips me open again.

then the last 2 or 3 days the problem seems to have returned. I'm getting very narrow and soft stools which is good, right? they must be about 1/4 the width I used to pass. Yet, it feels like the anal fissure is returning even so, the pain is back almost like it was before when I was used to much larger stools. what on earth is going on?

I am wondering now if it's a much more serious condition - like maybe a tumor narrowing the way or something? has anyone ever had a case of hypothyroid-caused constipation/fissure and what did they do about it? is it normal for fissure to heal and then get even more sensitive with smaller softer stools? I don't want to think it's cancer because all this only came on recently in response to what seems like classic multiple hypothyroid symptoms.

I don't know if it's piles, but I have been very careful not to push but let it happen naturally, still it seems like it's painful even with the softest narrowest stool. Before I panic and go ask the Dr. for a colonoscopy or something, I wanted to ask if anyone experienced the same?

Hi Elmo,
I'm so sorry, it sounds as if you are having a bad time. I can't understand why they won't know more about your thyroid until June. Why does it take so long?

It's highly unlikely you have a tumour, but do see a colorectal specialist, because it's best to get checked out. They may not need to do a colonoscopy, but if they do, it's not such a huge deal.

Anyway, narrow stools being painful to pass sounds like anal stenosis. The anal passage has narrowed, maybe in response to the chronic fissure. Try searching on this forum for anal stenosis.
You definitely want soft stools, but do go easy on the fibre, because if you add a lot of bulk you will have more pain.

Keep hydrated. Good luck! Tell us how you get on!

Elmo, you're not alone. Many times there is simply no rhyme or reason for why these things happen. I have had very large stools that didn't cause much pain, but then a week later I have had tiny stools that made me wish my gun was near the toilet so I could end the agony.

The best advice I could give is to go to a good CRS.

Thanks everyone for replying :)

Scientist2516 wrote:Hi Elmo,
I'm so sorry, it sounds as if you are having a bad time. I can't understand why they won't know more about your thyroid until June. Why does it take so long?

I'm not sure - I think it has to do with waiting to see if the symptoms are a blip or a real decline in the function of the thyroid... since apparently the next step if it is, is medication for life. I'm back at the Dr. in a few days (a different doctor) to get a 2nd opinion on my result and for some kind of explanation of what all the numbers mean. Maybe then I'll know exactly why I have to wait this long.

Anyway, narrow stools being painful to pass sounds like anal stenosis. The anal passage has narrowed, maybe in response to the chronic fissure. Try searching on this forum for anal stenosis.

I looked around and looked up anal stenosis and it sounds terrifying. Also it sounds like it's probably what it is... it feels like something is in the way there, I'm just amazed a rectum passage can narrow so much so quickly... like this happened only over the last few days >_<

I guess I will have to mention this to the Dr. and see if they can get me a specialist to look at the problem. How they are going to look in there I don't know, even passing the smallest amount is hurtful... can't imagine them putting a camera tube up there being any less painful

Also, I just think I should ask, does anyone here know whether this stenosis resolves on its own or whether you always need treatment...?

Thanks, all