Hi all
Have been lurking but finally joined today. I previously had an anal fissure which healed, about maybe 4 -5 years ago, and I used this board as a lurker then, too :)
I'm an active 27 year old female. I walk for approx 7 - 8 hours a day (active job plus lifestyle), eat my veggies and am already mostly vegetarian, don't smoke and drink maybe twice a year, and climbed Everest last April. In all, pretty fit.
On 1 Jan, I had unexpected surgery to drain a perianal abscess, caused apparently by nothing in particular. The nurses seemed to think it had formed because I'm active and/or cycle a bit. This was healing well, and I was back at work and functioning normally after a week off. I'm due to see a CRS about this on 16 Feb.
About 2 and a half weeks ago, I noticed some pain when pooing. Because I've had that previous experience with fissures, I immediately started hot baths, wet wipes and coconut oil. Was hoping to avoid the Rectogesic headaches!
The pain worsened (and yes, I got the rectogesic) until I was finally in such agony I was sent home from work. Every poo has been an exercise in not passing out, although I did once. Luckily my husband was alarmed by the fact I'd stopped moaning so suddenly and picked me up. Distressing for both of us.
I was using 8 panamax and 4 advil a day, and my skin is pretty much permanently grey from dealing with pain.
About a week ago, I called my specialist and asked for appointment to be moved to earlier time, referencing extreme pain. They couldn't do it, and suggested I go to ER.
Went to ER. Saw junior doctor. Referenced pain and that I didn't think I could stand being examined without pain relief. Saw senior doctor at same time, who was very gentle.
After some fairly rough examination from second senior specialist, told abruptly that yes, I have fissure, and to take some nice warm baths and it should go away. When I scoffed at this she was a bit taken aback, and when I asked what I should to to prevent passing out again, they prescribed me Endone (oxycodone and yes, I did tell them it constipates me) Ducolalx (bisacodyl) Flagyl (metronidazole, to combat any potential infection of open abcess wound) and Rectogesic. I've also been off work for the last four days.
I'm due back at my active job on Tuesday and am worried about having to poo at work/walk for 7 hours. Today I'm going to post box, an adventurous 700 metres away. I'm still not sure if I'll be able to do it.
I normally go three times in the morning, plus once mid afternoon or early evening. Because I'm eating less (yes, I know, I know) I'm minimising the times I have to go, but I also get little warning of the need. The antibiotic I'm taking seems to be acting as an irritant to my stomach and body in general, causing me to conk out for two hours after taking them, and poo fairly soon after waking. The laxatives are supposed to be 10 - 12 hours active after taking, but I've felt them taking effect about 4 -5 hours later, meaning painful 1am and 5am BM's. The Endone makes me dopey as all hell and I'm worried about the constipation/addiction effects - and the fact it's not actually making BM's less painful or stopping my spasms through the day, just allowing me to barely function. I've also had this heaviness in all my limbs, which I assume is the Endone but could be from any of the things I'm taking. I'm nervous about cross contaminating my open and draining abscess and my fissure.
I've had a few days where BM's have been less painful, but still require intense care to not want to top myself immediately afterwards. I'm still barely staying conscious. Is it normal for the pain to be this excruciating for this long? It certainly didn't happen last time, where the pain decreased as soon as I started Rectogesic.
Help.