So in hospital now waiting for spinchterotomy on chronic anal fissure, feeling very nervous!
Will record how it all goes & share over next few weeks, hoping for smooth recovery.
History behind is have suffered from fissures for over 10 years on and off, but over last few years they’ve become increasingly resistant to creams & home treatment. Had a history of constipation and forcing poos out in my younger days that led to the issue. Still have issues with slightly hard poos now, especially 1st one of the day (go twice a day usually).
Did have a fissure free period in early 2021 but then an operation in May led to constipation and that led to a new fissure. This one resisted treatment. Nearly had op in early 2022 but fissure temporarily healed while on holiday in Barbados - warm carribean sea did the trick I reckon. It was back again a few months later though!
Since then it’s been fairly constant though waxes and wanes in terms of discomfort level. Generally pain is about 4 - 6/10 so not too severe compared to others. Going to toilet not to uncomfortable it’s more afterwards with the spasms feeling like a hot poker up the bum, and it lasts hours!
Worst still I keep fit and do a lot of running including half marathons, and boy does it hurt after one of those as sweat I guess gets in the wound.
So finally decided to get it sorted, saw a Colorectal surgeon via private medical insurance and after he took a look & heard the history suggested going straight for the sphincterotomy. Said Botox would probably not work for me longer term & he tended to use it on higher risk patients in terms of incontinence risk.
So fast forward 1 month and here I am waiting to go in, full of apprehension on what lies ahead when I wake up. The 1st post op poo being the 1st hurdle I guess! Annoyingly fissure has been better this week, little or no pain having a poo and reduced discomfort afterwards. Did mention this to surgeon and he said he’d have a good look but given my history would likely still proceed with op. I don’t think it’s fully healed personally, can still feel it a bit.
Worried about tendency for a harder morning poo, especially first bit and impact that may have on healing. Keeping away from harder foods for 1st week at least.
Wish me luck!!