Just kidding.

After lurking on this board for a few months, I've finally taken the plunge and created an account. Seeking sympathy and advice. :)

I'm not too sure how long I've had my fissure. Once it was explained to me how to know when it has torn (again), it's possible I've been living with this since I was a teenager. But since I did not realize what it was at the time, I ignored it and hoped it went away.

Now that I'm an adult, I am more aware and am seeking a cure. The fissure itself is not too painful. Lately I have been upping my intake of fiber by eating prunes (4-6 in the morning, 4 in the evening). My stools have been very soft, and there was hardly ever any bleeding. There has been a persistent itch, and this is where I fear I may have made things worse. At times the itch will be so bad, and while wiping, I admit that I have been probably too rough. I will see some minor bleeding at times, but the pain is not so bad and I will feel fine until hours later when the itch has returned.

Unfortunately, yesterday there was the well-known bright spot of blood. I am mostly sure that it has torn again. What's worse, however, is that there seems to be a discharge that is coming from the anus. No matter how often I dry, it keeps coming. This morning when I took my shower, I again may have been too rough on the area. And now the skin surrounding the anus is very raw--when I dab the area with a flushable wipe or toilet paper, I can see that there is a faintly red liquid all over the area. There is so much that I had to use some TP to keep the residue/discharge from leaking through my underwear to my pants.

Help! I have an appointment to see a colorectal specialist tomorrow. However, in the meantime I have no idea what to do with this discharge. And what should I do with the now extremely sensitive skin around the anus? Should I leave things be until he can see me? I have some neosporin and some baby power with aloe in it--I just don't want to irritate the area any further.

Any help would be extremely appreciated!

Hi AP,
you have my sympathy - there is really nothing worse than an itch. I certainly found my itch less bearable in a way. As I read your account, I wondered if the discharge is causing the itch? It's worth asking your CRS. If the discharge is slightly caustic or irritating, you can get a horrible vicious cycle of discharge-itch-scratch-more irritation-more discharge-more itch......

If that's the case, you need to break the cycle and tackle that itch. Try calmoseptine - you can order it at your pharmacy, or buy it from amazon.
If you are using diltiazem, that could be the cause - dilt. seems to cause an allergic reaction (it did for me). You can switch to a different ointment like nifedipine or nitroglycerine. In my case, the itch subsided within a day or two of stopping dilt.

Otherwise, it could be an infection causing the discharge, and of course you should get that treated right away.

Whatever it is, the CRS should be able to help. Let us know how your appointment goes. Good luck!

Thanks, Scientist!

After talking with the CRS, he said that I would be a poor candidate for LIS as my sphincter is already fairly dilated. I was somewhat glad to hear that--surgery was going to be my last option.

He prescribed me nifedipine and also suggested Calmoseptine. He also gave me daily targets for fiber intake and water consumption. He definitely gave me a lot more attention than my primary care physician did. Here's hoping!

If your sphincter is already fairly dilated, that is excellent news, because people with low anal resting pressure are much better candidates for healing with nifedipine than people with a high anal resting pressure.

Did your CRS say anything about what's causing the itch? Hopefully the calmoseptine will help.

It sounds as if you are in good hands. Let us know how you get on!

Make sure to have an anoscopy. The source of the blood can be from things other than fissures--most commonly internal hemorrhoids. Digital rectal exams often miss hemorrhoids.