I'm sorry Mr Fissure, that's so tough. I also wished I would be back to normal life by now but my story seems similar to yours - a good day here and there followed by worse days. Not even close to the point I wanted to be at by now either.

When is your next appointment with the surgeon? Are you still using any topical like nifedipine? Getting spasms/tightness still?

I'm sending you healing thoughts, really hope all it needs is a bit more time for things to turn around for you!!!

-GG

Hey you two please please don't give up hope read my diary and a couple of others especially Jim who took at least 10/12weeks to get to the point of little to no pain.
In week 5 I was contemplating a colostomy my pain was that bad.
I'm so much better now especially when I'm not having a flare.
I wish we all recovered in a few weeks but we aren't all that lucky
Please keep going I nearly didn't and could have had a life changing op if I hadn't have been told to be patient.
I know how frustrating it is believe me I do but some of us especially those who have suffered a while take longer. The body has suffered so much it needs time to heal.
Big hugs to you both x

Thank you GG, and very sorry to hear that you're still struggling too.

Yeah, I still get spasms and a lot of tightness, especially if I walk at anything above a snail's pace. So frustrating as it means I can't even take my dog for a walk at the moment (think he thinks I've fallen out with him!). I had laid off GTN but I've started again with it this week and decided this morning to recommence with coconut oil in my sitz baths too. How about you?

My appointment with the CRS is 3 week's today (2nd June). My over-riding concern are the words he said to me when in recovery, which was that my fissure was very high up my anal canal, and that he could see that it had partially healed, with a very fragile skin on it. He decided therefore not to disturb and stretch it to see its full extent, but carried out a tailored LIS regardless. So my obvious concern is how did he know how big my fissure was and therefore how much he needed to cut? I guess I just have to trust his judgement, as I know he is very experienced (20+ years) and highly knowledgeable and regarded....

So are your stomach cramps any easier now and do you have them under control? I see you are due to see a series of specialists in the coming days, I really hope they can find something to help ease your symptoms.

I'll send those healing thoughts right back at ya' - maybe time's what both of us need!?!

Take care, GG and good luck!
Mr F

I too couldn't have the cut the full length of my fissure due to how high up it went. But on my last appointment it had fully healed that was 5 months after LIS. I also think we need to remember how sensitive scar tissue can be I have a deep scar on my arm and even now ten years later if I knock it it really hurts. So for some of us that area will always be sensitive

Thank you for you timely and reassuring words, mpb!

Of course you're right, and I do need to be more patient, I guess that's one reason why the first appointment was scheduled for 6-8 weeks after the op.

I had a lie down and snooze after my initial post this morning, tiredness definitely doesn't help your mindset, but I feel a little more heartened now, especially after reading your words

Take care
Mr F

Thanks guys. You're right mbp - maybe all it takes is a couple more weeks. I also still have the abscess - and I think the part of the incision where the abscess drains is staying open - maybe if it weren't for that I'd be butt pain free.

I also get spasms still Mr. Fissure. Funnily enough mine seem better when I'm walking or sitting or lying down, but standing or things like shopping that involve lots of standing just set off the burn and tightness. I also get tightness mid bm quite often - which is tricky because I have to 3-4 times consecutively most mornings, so I end up using a fleet enema in order not to strain by the 3rd and 4th time. I do have a sharp pain come of out no where no and again also. I am using nifedipine maybe every second day - but I'm not sure it's having any effect!

From what it sounds like I think we will both just need a little more time! I forgot about Jims posts - thanks for that mbp.

My stomach cramps are not great still. Better if I'm active, which is difficult with the butt pain. Trying a low carb diet - and man I have had a killer headache since about 12 hrs after starting - I'm going to take it as a good sign that my body is angry with no carbs. I really do suspect I have a bacterial or fungal overgrowth that the sugar is feeding - especially after 3 colonoscopy preps, a round of strong antibiotics, morphine (which slows the gut), and trying proton pump inhibitors.

Have you thought about pelvic floor physio? I know we both have some pelvic floor issues and I'm sure they're contributing. In fact, I just said in another post that I remember having spasms and a heavy tightness in that area before ever getting the horrible burning fissure pain - I wonder if I did something while weightlifting. Maybe something similar in your case - maybe a good physio could figure something out.

And I'm in agreement that a good nap solves most ills lol - I got into the habit of napping when I was working with personal training clients at 5 am and then more around 8-9 pm - those afternoon sleeps were heavenly lolol.

Oh lack of sleep is the worst thing especially if it's combined with pain. I have never had any trouble sleeping until I got the fissure then the pain made it impossible to get much sleep. I know understand why is used as a form of torture as it totally effects how our brain views any situation and how we cope with things.
I know Jim was still getting some spasms at week 8. We all know I still get them even now if I go too often. Im certain I will probably always get them when I have multiple BMs as my fissure was so deep the scar tissue must be too. But it's something I'm prepared to live with as most of the time I'm fine.
GG I think you are probably right your intestines have had lots of clear outs in one way are another so any good bacteria wouldn't have stood a chance. Think you will def notice a difference soon.

Yeah, my mentality this morning was definitely affected by sleep deprivation, it just got on top of me. That, plus the pain, plus the significance of the date for me - 4 week anniversary - I just felt kinda frustrated and desperate lol! I'm missing out on so many good things, personal things to me atm, which is hard to take.

Anyway, feeling a little better tonight. Rectogesic seems to have kicked in and been for a 20min stroll. Interestingly I can now insert the GTN much easier than pre-LIS, so that tells you the tightness and tension there has been helped. Some days I even found it diffuclt to locate my bum-hole, it was that tight!

GG - yes - I intend to seek out a pelvic floor specialist, I'm hoping my CRS will recommend one for me, when I see him next, BUT, I need to get my adductor better first, presumably! Stick with the low-Carb diet, GG, you never know it might make all the difference for you!

Can either of you provide a link to Jim's diary, I'm not sure I've read it and can't seem to locate it?

Thanks again!
Mr F

Just had a look for jims I can't seem to find it but he has been active today so maybe you could ask him on the threads he has commented on.
I'm sure you will have a lot of luck in getting help for the pelvic pain as there is a pelvic pain clinic at the northern general hospital so there should be good contacts and a fairly easy referral for you Mr F. Can't see why you couldn't have treatment for the pelvic floor and the abductor at the same time.
It a really good sign that you can actually feel a difference in your sphincter after LIS I certainly can't or if it is it's not very noticeable. Botox relaxed it way more for me. Keep up with the GTN I still use it after multiple BMs had to put some on tonight as there was a bit too much gravy in my pie so already been 4 times in the past hour lol.

Oh thank you once again, MPB ! That's really useful to know. I intend to ask Mr B. for advice or a contact re: a Pelvic Floor Specialist, would be perfect if he could give me a referral. As you say, its all related, so would be ideal if I could get someone who could work on both at the same time.

Yeah, that's one of the major differences I've noticed since the operation, its much easier to apply Rectogesic since (though I only started using it again about a week ago). Was quite shocked the first time I did try, because beforehand it was nigh on impossible inserting GTN up it, most days I had trouble even locating it, I was quite literally a tight arse! LOL!

Hope you've not had too bad a night after your pie and that your stomach settled down. I had a better night's sleep again last night and am feeling a fair bit better generally today, again. Will try and hunt down Jim's thread again later.

Take care
MR F