I just had an expereince today that I thought I should share with you folks. So far, it has been much better and more simple than I ever expected (knock on wood). We'll see if that keeps up.
I GOT BOTOXed.:!:
It was a really simple procedure. I basically went in to the CRS, told him about my troubles over the past year and a half (including the fissure, the healed fissure, the abscess, and the gigantic cut). I also told him that the nitro and the nifedipine did not help me while I had period cramps, and that the cramps were really detrimental to my healing process.
He did an initial exam and saw that I did indeed have a fissure (like anyone would lie about such a thing!) and then said he explained that Botox would probabaly not be the panacea I was hoping for. I responded that I fully understoof that I would not be healed immediately, but that I was looking for something to cut through the pain of the sphincter tightness and give me an edge on the healing. He returned that that was reasonable, but I should also be forewarned that there is the possibility of incontinence and infection. To which I queried, "isn't the incontinence something that would wear off in 6 mos max?" and "has anyone you injected ever got an infection?" His answers were "in most cases, but not all. Still there's less of a chance of incontinence with Botox than LIS" and "no, but I don't do this on a daily basis."
I said I understood all of this and he said he would be right back with the Botox. :pale:
Needless to say (but I will say anyway), I was a little surprised by this turn of events, paniced more like. After all, I was expecting this to be a preliminary visit to see if I was a candidate for Botox. Also, I had been asking for Botox for so long that I thought I would have to return for a procedure! I debated about putting my pants back on and running out the door. But then I checked myself and reminded myself of yesterday's tear filled afternoon!
The dr. asked if I wanted something to numb my butt for the shots, and then reminded me that the numbing shot would also be a shot. I said no and braced myself for the pain.
But there was some, but not nearly as much as during my daily bms.
There was no need for a scope during the procedure, as the injection sites (one on either side of the cut) were about 1/2 inch tops from the outside in the bottom verge of the internal sphincter. Afterwards, I thanked the Dr., walked downstairs, got in the car, and drove myself to my lunch meeting. No pain afterwards. Maybe a little, tiny, tiny bit of tenderness at one of the injetion sites, but that could just be my imagination. And my sphincter is noticeably more relaxed, though not completely relaxed, which I guess is a good thing.
Post-op care is sitzbaths and pantyliners. So for me, absolutely no change in routine.
