I want to share with you something that I don't think has yet cured me 100% but has certainly eliminated 99% of pain. What I'm about to describe may not work for you but I hope it does.
I came across this site last year and then first (and only) posted a few months back on the old site. At the time I was really struggling with pain from anal fissures.
I originally got treated in an out patient clinic for haemorrhoids which were banded. The surgeon was fairly brutal and despite his suggestions to relax down there and that I was extremely tight, he ploughed on ahead. I am almost entirely certain this resulted in my anal fissure(s). Indeed, a referral to another surgeon who was hesitant to do another external exam suggested all my symptoms pointed to Anal Fissures.
In July it got to the point where after two years of pain (and a few doses of Diltiazem - which I eventually became allergic to) I decided to ask my GP (General Practitioner) to refer me to the surgeon again. I was at the end of my tether. I was taking several doses of paracetamol and co-codamol at work to ease the pain - I have an office job and sit down all day. Sitting down was like having a red hot poker shoved up your backside. Going to the toilet was like passing glass topped with razor blades. I had blood in my stools. I would sweat and be close to tears so surgery seemed the most likely path although I did not wish for it.
My local health authority is excellent and I quickly had an appointment for a surgical consultation. One day at work I decided to search for alternative therapies for anal fissures, I came across many which I'll describe below.
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My magic ingredients:
Dr Wheatgrass SuperBalm
http://drwheatgrass.com/dr-wheatgrass-products/superbalm-145ml-x-1
Zinc
Vitamin B6
Multi-vitamin A-Z (as complete vitamin solution but not with seperate Zinc or B6)
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002DFDT9E/
Vaseline
Germoloid Triple Action ointment - basically zinc cream and lidocaine
http://www.altwoodpharmacy.com/haemorrhoids-anal-discomfort/germoloids-triple-action-ointment-25ml.html
Germoloid Triple Action suppositories
Epsom Bath Salts
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003VABZDM
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At first I tried Dr Wheatgrass's SuperBalm on it's own as it's meant to work wonders but it didn't for me so I decided to take a multiple therapy approach and so here's what I do:
Morning: (pre BM):
Multi-vitamin pill OR single B6 vitamin pill and single Zinc vitamin pill
Initially some Germoloid ointment on tip of finger and put inside rear end. Scrub hands and then same again but with some Vaseline. If you're in pain then the lidocaine from the Germoloid ointment will numb it and the combination of ointment and vaseline should lube the passage thus reducing tears (IMO).
Post BM: normally get a shower and perform daily routine of:
Dr Wheatgrass Balm
Germoloid Triple Action ointment
Vaseline
(Washing hands between applications of different creams)
If I'm sore I'll also put in a suppository. For me, the idea is to reduce irritation in the skin in that area as much as possible and reducing friction when doing a BM is one of the biggest ways.
3 months in, I can sometimes forget the pre-BM treatment and I'm 99% fine (normal) taking a BM.
Before bed:
Quick clean downstairs and fingertip of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil in the rear - it melts quickly so not the best but meant to be really good.
In all honesty, things got better so quickly, I often forget to do this.
Once a week: Epsom salt bath
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I do still get 'twinges' of pain and if I do I make sure I complete the full cycle of treatment.
My surgical appointment was in early-mid August this year. I described the pain I had been having to the surgeon and told him that I had been taking alternative treatment to avoid surgery. He asked out of 10 what my pain was before and now (I said before was a 9/10 and now it's 1-2/10). He said surgery wouldn't produce those results but advised of the surgical procedure should I need to come back (I hope I don't).
My route from 2years of pain to almost none was very quick (less than 2 weeks). Everything I'm using is over the counter and completely innocuous - I could use them forever if need be. I read that skin/scar tissue takes a year to get to 80% normal skin strength so I'll continue this until the 6 month mark. Ideally I'd ease off to only using the Vaseline once/twice day and then ease off that again.
I've got my life back. I treat myself in the morning and I'm fine. My BMs are largely pain free, there's no blood and no residual sting throughout the day. I can sit at work without pain. Although, as mentioned, if I do, I go all out: suppositories, the works.
My idea is that if I reduce friction down there then the skin can't get irritated thus allowing it time to heal. Over the months, this is proving to be true. Zinc and Wheatgrass Balm are great natural healers, as is Coconut Oil. The vitamins keep you healthy inside. These are just cuts - keep them clean and healthy and away from irritation and they should heal like any other.
This has (so far) worked for me and for the record, I've not changed my diet at all. I hope it works for you.