Hi All. I look forward to chatting with folks who are experiencing similar issues. I’m a stay at home dad who was diagnosed with a AF three months ago. I’m living the movie Groundhog Day. My days start ok with mild discomfort but after a bowel movement midday it all goes downhill. I have intense pain that lasts 4-6 hours before it starts to relent. It starts to ease up in the evening but by then I’m exhausted.

I’m on a stool softener, on daily pain meds, and a prescription cream. I take daily sitz baths, tried coconut oil, and increased my water intake. The only pain relief I get is to pace, it seems to help slightly. I’ve had the pain daily for three months, it’s excruciating, but the worst is the mental aspect.

It’s doesn’t matter how my day begins I know how it will end. It’s wearing me down.

Looking for advice regarding pain management. Any words of wisdom will/is greatly appreciated. Thankfully, I have a specialist apt in two weeks.

It’s been a journey to say the least.

I actually came here seeking advice on pain management myself. I’ve been dealing with fissures on and off for a couple years, and I’m finally seeing a CRS next week. I’ve tried the diet changes, stool softener, creams, every thing. I might need to settle for surgery if he suggests it. I know it’s only been a couple months for you, but I lived with this pain for far too long, so I’d encourage you to maybe meet with a CRS since it sounds like it isn’t healing. I’m sorry I can’t be more help. I’m on a lidocaine cream that I use right after BMs, though the last couple days it feels like that isn’t working. I also use ibuprofen every day but I know you’re not supposed to use it long term. Other than that I just constantly pray. Some people say their Drs give them prescription pain killers, you could ask a doc about that. Wishing you luck! Hope you find relief soon.

Thanks for the reply, I hope it gets better for you. I can’t imagine having this for a year. My pain is so bad and lasts for hours. I’m on prescription meds but they really don’t make a major difference with the pain. For me, pacing seems to help.

Thankfully, I’m having surgery (Lis) this Sunday. Saw the surgeon today, I’m dealing with an infection so he decided to do it now. I’m hoping this provides relief.

Take care, keep me updated. We are not alone dealing with this!

Please let me know how LIS goes! Since it’s very much an option I’m considering, I’d love to hear your experience. I hear the short term of the recovery aspect can be pretty painful and scary, but that long term things seem to go well for most folks. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and update you if I choose to get surgery!

Thanks!

I’ll keep you updated.

MirandaYvonne wrote:Please let me know how LIS goes! Since it’s very much an option I’m considering, I’d love to hear your experience. I hear the short term of the recovery aspect can be pretty painful and scary, but that long term things seem to go well for most folks. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and update you if I choose to get surgery!

Hi Miranda,

I home from LIS and abscess drain. Had surgery Monday night, I was up a couple hours later walking, had some toast and drink and then was sent home. Pain was very little, mostly discomfort. Lots of gauze which made sitting uncomfortable but it was manageable. Anyway, I was released at Midnight and walked to the car no problem. I got home and went to bed.

Day 1 - very moderate pain, much less than after a bm. I took Tylenol and just rested. Watched a couple of movies and slept. Read a little and it was good. The pain was nothing compared to before.

Day 2 (today) - woke up, eat breakfast and then had the urge to go. I won’t lie, I was scared. Got the gauze out, sat down and a little came out. No stingy, no thing, showered and had a sitz bath. Afterwards I have a little pain, some minor stingy/burning that comes and goes but very different & less intense than before. I’ll see when I have a larger BM.

Anyway, two days and I’m doing well. The pain is manageable and not close to what I was dealing with each day for the last three months.

I’m so glad I did it, I want my life back and I feel like I can manage this. Even if it gets worse I know I’m on the road to recovery. I was scared to do have it done but am glad I did. AF pain was brutal and really impacting my mental state.

If you want to chat, just drop me a message. Feel free to send me a PM.