Mid-point Week 11 GTN update
The re-tear has settled now and the pain level during BM's is non-existent, I still get a slight tingling sensation immediately after applying GTN but this settles after a few minutes. The spasms are about gone apart from very infrequent twinges which tends to go away if i change position.
Visually the AF is still there but it is very much smaller than at the start.
I also hit a bit of a milestone at the weekend - i attended a wedding with a 3-course dinner, a few glasses of red wine and a hotel breakfast the following morning without any negative BM effects whatsoever!
Anyway i am meant to have my follow up CRS visit next Tuesday so i am hoping i can avoid Botox!
Davo

This sounds good Davo. I really hope you are healing and can avoid the botox. I have taken a backwards step again, and am very close to making the decision to go private. I know it will take all my savings but I think its the best thing for my mental state and overall really. I can't wait until May to get a follow up and then wait again, whereas if I pay for a consultation it will be in a few weeks followed by more treatment a few weeks later. Its a no brainer really isn't it?! Keep positive (I wish I could follow my own advice!) and my fingers are crossed for your appointment with your CRS :)

Hi Sue,
Thanks for the support.
Sorry to hear about your step backwards - what has happened?
You could always pay for a private consultation and if the cost of surgery (or whatever is required) is too much then you could maybe go and see the same guy at a NHS hospital.
It's a bit unfair at how much better treatment you get when you go private - i can normally get an appointment within 48 hours and if surgery is needed that can be arranged within 7-10 days of the consultation.
Where in the UK are you located?

Hey Sue,
You know there is no price on good health. I'm with Davo, at least pay for the private consultation. Try to choose someone up front too. You can look up the various specialists on ratemd.com (it has a UK option). So you know your money is well spent.
Gosh I hope Canada doesn't go the way of England in health care. The Tories are trying to make it happen, but so far things have held.
Davo, How's it going? Better?
I have had some improvement the last few days. So I am trying to do everything the same everyday. I figure it's either the extra swig of prune juice in the evenings and/or the lanolin I smear on the fissure 2-3 times a day.
I'm sure the breathing relaxation exercises help too.
Anyways, don't want to jinx myself so knock on wood and whistle (KOW&W).
-Tanya

Hi WOI,
Going well thanks, i just posted this earlier:
The re-tear has settled now and the pain level during BM's is non-existent, I still get a slight tingling sensation immediately after applying GTN but this settles after a few minutes. The spasms are about gone apart from very infrequent twinges which tends to go away if i change position.
Visually the AF is still there but it is very much smaller than at the start.
I also hit a bit of a milestone at the weekend - i attended a wedding with a 3-course dinner, a few glasses of red wine and a hotel breakfast the following morning without any negative BM effects whatsoever!
Anyway i am meant to have my follow up CRS visit next Tuesday so i am hoping i can avoid Botox!

That's a fun milestone Davo!
Great to hear.
-Tanya

Thanks WOI,
I am at the same stage as i was a few weeks back where i almost healed but i had a re-tear. I am praying that everything is ok this time and i can go on to heal fully.
It's your CRS visit a week today isn't it?
Davo

Hi
I'm post Botox. 5 weeks ago yesterday. unfortunately for me I must fall in the 25% because yesterday was one of my worst days. Felt suicidal & angry with the pain. Today touch wood nothing but then I've not had a BM yet!! Worst thing is if I know it's coming and that brings me out in a cold sweat.
The advice I've been given is hot baths with epsom salts, msm, Fibrogel, lying on my front to keep pressure off & plenty water,fruit & veg. I've been doing all this and yet each day im uncertain how im going to be.
My CRS has told me he would not recommend LIS too me as I had a forceps delivery 14yrs ago and I'm more likely to become incontinent. To be truthfull at the moment I don't know which is worse. Because this pain is ruling my life.
Their is one thing to consider with Botox this is not permament and if it works out that it does cause some incontinence it wears off within 3 months. And fingers crossed you fall in to the 75%.
Sorry this is probably not what you want to hear but you have to have all the options in front of you. Wishing you all the best for your wedding.

Hello Lambertoz,
Thanks for taking the time to comment
Sorry to read that your Botox has not gone too well however this is a common theme amongst most people. I try to find positive things from the internet but most people either re-tear from the camera before the botox, experience pain from the injection sites, experience pain in general and have little success with Botox. The few who do go on to heal generally re-tear and end up having LIS anyway! If my CRS suggests Botox i will be trying anything i can to get him to offer LIS instead!
Normally i would be happy to try Botox but my wedding is in the summer and bearing in mind the Botox injections last for three months it means there is a good chance i will still have the fissure on my big day. So instead of enjoying myself i will be worried about toilet visits, whether i have drank enough water, eaten enough fibre, had a few baths and alcohol will be out of the question!!
With regards to LIS, it has a 95% success rate and many people are fully healed within 2-4 weeks plus i am yet to see a story of incontinence! Both Botox and LIS require a general anaesthetic and both procedures last 10-15 mins so i dont see the point in getting Botox.
With regards to successful healing rates my CRS said the only thing that can almost gurantee success without re-tearing is LIS - PROVIDING YOU ARE A MAN!!! Being a man i did not question that any further but i believe childbirth could increase your chances of incontinence.
Finally i notice you are taking Fybogel - If you want really soft BM's i suggest you maybe try movicol instead. This was suggested to me by my CRS and it has made a world of difference. (you can buy it over the counter from the pharmacy section in Boots the Chemist)
Davo

Hi Davo
Thanks for the advice will certainly give moviolas a try. Someone also recommended on here 1000mg of magnesium, they had read an article that a fissure had healed . Obv will double check at health shop.
Please keep me informed how you get on. Wishing u all the best.
Zoe