Hi,
I was wondering if you all still have to take pain medication for the fissure pain. I have been on pain meds for 5 weeks so far starting with the hemorrhoid surgery and then the fissure on top of it. The pain meds don't really take it away but do allow for me to get out of bed and function on a basic level.
I hate to keep taking pills for so long. How long did you guys have to be on them? Do you still take them?
A typical day is 3 advil and 1 vicoprofen twice a day. Today is worse so I may need to take 2 regular advil and 2 vicoprofen. You know the pain is bad when you have to count down to when you can take something. I took two baths already and have used lidocaine cream.
I was feeling better the last two days so I guess this is a small setback. Did you often feel discouraged after feeling better and then getting worse again?
Thanks,
Lecia

I can only speak for myself. I rarely if ever took anything before the surgery. Nothing over-the-counter seemed to help, and since I suffer from migraines, taking stuff like that only causes me to have rebound headaches. No fun!
After surgery, I only took the mepergan when I needed it. About a week.
If they help, take 'em, but research what your taking to see if it thins the blood; if so, ask your doctor. It will only make your bleeding worse (if that's the case).
Did you often feel discouraged after feeling better and then getting worse again?
Good lord, yes!! Try not to get your hopes too high when you have a run of good days, that way maybe you won't be let down so much! :bounce:
Just keep eating right, drinking right, and getting just the right amunt of fiber. Eventually you should get to a "manageable" state where the "bad" days are similar to "good" days now. Hopefully :D

Well said! Thank you!

Another thought: try to keep a diary -- a fissure diary. Simply log the following things on a daily basis:
!. What you ate.
2. What type stools you had
(to find out, go to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Stool_Scale
You want to achieve a #4 on this stool scale (refer to the website above))
3. Whether you had a good, medium or bad day.
Before long you'll have lots of information, especially about what foods may contribute to the best stools. I was even able to graph my results, which showed me I was healing right as I went to surgery!
Hugh

Hugh,
you're the best!!!!!! i can't wait to check out that bristol scale!!!!!
lecia, yes it is very frustrating when you are doing well and then have a setback. but if you got some good days, then there means that there is a chance of more of them......it's a matter of knowing/learning what triggered you to get back to a bad day.....
having a fissure is much more puzzling than a rubic's cube
good luck!

Thanks so much for your encouragement-I appreciate it! I am glad that you guys are doing better and can share your expertise and compassion.
Thanks for the link, Hugh. I checked it out. I can honestly say I have learned more off the internet than I did in college! I eat the same thing everyday so I poop the same everyday but when I start to add some new foods I will definitely add the chart. I think it was the extra flax/borage oil I took. I reduced the amount and my stool was less loose today but still burns!
I have to drive myself to the doctor today so hopefully that won't be agonizing.
Do you guys sleep pretty well? I have been tossing and turning the last few nights but I know sleep is good for healing so I'll have to mention that to the doctor today.
Have a great day,
lecia

you're the best!!!!!! i can't wait to check out that bristol scale!!!!!
Thanks Gareth, I guess that puts me in a class with Mohammed Ali!
You're a pretty cool dude, youself! :cheer:
having a fissure is much more puzzling than a rubic's cube
Truer words have rarely been spoken! :)
I can honestly say I have learned more off the internet than I did in college!
That's probably true for me, too! But, of course, I took education classes -- same old boring stuff over and over! :roll:
I have to drive myself to the doctor today so hopefully that won't be agonizing.
Looks like you'll be doing the left cheek/right cheek shuffle! Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Do you guys sleep pretty well?
Only once do I recall waking up with fissure pain. I usually slept OK, except for my nightly visits to pee. But that's been the rule since my twenties (I love caffeine!)
Hugh

Hi Lecia :hi:
I never took any pain medication whilst suffering - I have never agreed with taking pain killers or anti biotics or anything like that, I managed my pain through relaxation and breathing..
Once in hospital I did have pain killers - i didnt want them but sometimes you just have to give in to save yourself!
At home I took a couple of panadol in the first 2 days after my LIS, but then nothing else!
Thanks Hugh for the poopey chart, that was awesome... I am pleased to say I am anywhere from a 2 - 4 on the chart...

Personally I would steer clear of pain killers.
That is how I got my fissure to begin with, I had my appendix out, then was on pain killers for over a week and they constipated me, all that straing and ONE BIG POO gave my my fissure.
I will only take panadol and only if ABSOLUTELY necessary :bom:
Annie

most pain killers promote constipation. it is best if you can stay away from them.