Homestretch?

A place for you to keep a record of your healing or surgery.

Return to Diaries



Homestretch?

Postby Fellk » 06 Apr 2014, 08:54

Heyo!

I had an account on here previously where I posted extensively (Stratocaster). Looks like the account got borked in the move over so starting over again.

I've not posted in a long time as there hasn't really been anything to talk about.
I'll start briefly from the beginning.

I've had issues with blood in my stool as far back as I can remember. I was probably still in my teens. There'd be blood for a couple days and it'd go away within a few and I'd forget about it and not deal with it. Few months later same thing etc.

It all came to a head in 2011. I'd had this cycle of bleeding for a week and good for a few days. Fair amount of 'hot' feeling pain down there. Cutting glass when going to the washroom etc. Sure you all can relate. I went to see my doctor and he told me what a fissure was. Gave me some nitro cream and told me to use lots of Metamucil. Things then got worse. Metamucil would cause me to have really large and hard evacuations that'd really hurt but he told me to use it so perhaps it was my diet. I had a few months of problems on metamucil before I took myself off it. I then started using Beneful (i think is what its called) which is soluble fibre. It helped sorta but just constantly had super loose stool. I might've had a slight allergy or reaction to it as just a little bit would cause something close to the big D.


This was the cycle for about a year. I kept using nitro cream. Things would be good for a few weeks and then blood and back to sq1. My doctor kept saying its nothing serious and a specialist would take a 1+yr long wait so just deal with it. The main issue is I'm gay so it does impact my sex life a lot. There is nothing like feeling inadequate and you can't do anything about it. I'm a problem solver/go getter and I was being told this couldn't really be fixed. Well around mid 2012 I found Miralax thanks to people on here. Taking a dose a day helped a lot and my stools are soft. I can generally eat what I want so I got that part of my life back.

Late 2012 I got aggressive with my doctor saying I need to get this fixed. Give me the damn referral. He found a general surgeon a few towns over that would see me within a few weeks. I went to him and he was a lot more understanding and wanted to help. In 3 weeks I got a botox treatment from him. He said it was as far as he could take it but he'd send me to a CRS if it didn't clear up.

Botox really didn't do anything. I've never had a feeling of spasm unless I JUST went to the washroom and it was super painful. There was a few times in that 6 month window that I bled but it cleared up faster. Mostly just happens if I forget miralax for a day or two or have bizzare eating habits.

So in June 2013 the general surgeon sent a referral off to a local CRS. It's been a totally different experience from the general surgeon. I waited and waited and waited and never heard from the CRS to acknowledge me or anything. I called them and got a REALLLYYYY rude receptionist who said I'm on a list and it takes 6 months. They'll send me a note in the mail to come get checked. December then rolled around. Nothing. Called and left voicemail. Nothing. January February March all came. In March I moved so I called them to say my address has changed. No return call. I called and left another voicemail saying I need someone to call me I've called so many times etc. Oddly enough I had to go to my old apartment to pickup some old mail that came in after I moved. Boink my appointment card was there. April 8th. Alright so finally I can get on with things. THEN the rude receptionist calls me and again is super rude and sarcastic but my appointment is confirmed.

Thus begins the next chapter in this diary. I find out Tuesday WTF is going on and finally get some answers. I believe my main problem is scar tissue. At the 6 oclock position on my sphincter I do have a large bump/thick spot. It's a bit hard and smooth to the touch. It's not a skin tag that needs to be tied off as it's def a part of the muscle right there. Everytime I tear its right there. I think the scar tissue just doesn't stretch so it just happens over and over. I think doctors call them sentinel piles. If he can get rid of that I'm sure I can keep my diet clean and get back to a normal sex life. Only time will tell. I'll update this Tuesday!
Fellk
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 52
Topics: 3
Joined: 06 Apr 2014, 08:31
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Homestretch?

Postby Rachael 1984 » 08 Apr 2014, 13:26

Hi Stratocaster,
Sorry you're back on here... Good to hear from you though. I'm still going on with this crap too... Botox didn't work. I'm holding a gun to my CRS head on Thursday. I want answers and surgery! Good luck to you, keep us posted on the outcome.
Hem Banding sept 2012
2Fissures
Nitro- Effective short term
April 2013-Botox-Effective short term
Diltazem-No effect, developed Rash
July 2014-Diagnosed High Resting Pressure
LIS performed on 17.9.14
Ongoing pain/re-tears. Awaiting pressure test results.
User avatar
Rachael 1984
Moderator
 
Posts: 1133
Topics: 26
Joined: 12 Feb 2013, 17:00
Location: UK
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 60 times
Gender: Female
Mood: Please heal!

Re: Homestretch?

Postby Fellk » 08 Apr 2014, 13:55

Thanks Rachael! Sounds like the same boat as me. I really can't believe how long this has been going on.

So today was the appointment. I was checked over by a resident doctor and the surgeon. I didn't realize until afterwards that the surgeon is nationally renowned. People have been flying in from all over to specifically go to him.

So the general notes:

-My family doctor is an idiot
-Giving me botox was dumb and more then likely a money grab. He said that botox is really dangerous and should really never be used. Kinda agree with him... look around the forum. How many botox success stories? If the muscle tears once then it'll keep tearing again.
-He feels like I've paid my dues. Said LIS is the simplest procedure ever and its even easier on young people. It's a tiny cut, snip a few muscle fibres.

So I'm waiting for a call with a surgery date. Pretty friggin excited. He's going to remove the scar tissue while he's at it. The only thing that sucks is the nurse told me I'll need a full physical from my family doctor first... should be fun lol. So now I've got more waiting time on my hands but homestretch is here.
Fellk
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 52
Topics: 3
Joined: 06 Apr 2014, 08:31
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Homestretch?

Postby JHH » 09 Apr 2014, 09:32

Hey Strato, I thought you healed up long time ago. Sorry to read you are still having troubles.

I agree with you that botox hasnt got the best healing rate, but for some it works, and I have never heard about it being dangerous. I think its best for those who almost manage to heal natually but need the last push to get there.

Good luck with the LIS, Im sure you are doing the right thing after all these years!

/J
- Fissure developed in Jan '13
- Started rectogesic in Feb '13 and diltiazem Apr '13.
- Got botox Jun '13
- Healed by Okt '13, although I still had some irritation for about a year.
- New fissure April '22, healed June 2022
- New fissure 24. December 2023
User avatar
JHH
Moderator
 
Posts: 785
Topics: 16
Joined: 22 Feb 2013, 17:00
Location: 6 o'clock
Has thanked: 48 times
Been thanked: 69 times
Gender: Male

Re: Homestretch?

Postby Fellk » 11 Jun 2014, 12:12

Alright it's been a bit since an update.

No real issues at all. Miralax keeps things working. I missed taking it for one day and then didn't use that much the next and had an ouch moment but no blood at least.

Got a call today and I have LIS booked for July 8th. Need to get a physical done before then. I see the light at the end of the tunnel finally!
Fellk
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 52
Topics: 3
Joined: 06 Apr 2014, 08:31
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Homestretch?

Postby Fissurefrustration » 14 Jun 2014, 04:45

Very happy for you that theres an answer in the distance!! must feel great. I personally couldn't go through with LIS I think I'd be too chicken! Hopefully we will all get our cures eventually x
Suffering since June 2013

Methods tried:
GTN cream - migraines!
Manuka Honey / Coconut oil / Aloe
tag excision X 2, botox x 3
Dilatiazem
dilatation 2 X daily + Retin-C Vitamin Scar Treatment Oil 2 X daily - best thing ever.
Now pain free 2/7/21
User avatar
Fissurefrustration
Moderator
 
Posts: 647
Topics: 56
Joined: 22 Mar 2014, 11:49
Has thanked: 32 times
Been thanked: 48 times
Gender: Male

Re: Homestretch?

Postby Fellk » 24 Jun 2014, 07:06

Well LIS is the most minor thing possible. The doc mentioned if I was 80 it'd be more complicated and the cut would be bigger but it my case it's going to be tiny. That being said I mostly want the scar tissue/sentinel pile/skin tag removed. It's just this hard flat bit and I tear RIGHT there if it happens. It's not going to go away on its own as it's really from a lifetime of these issues. I remember having the same symptoms when I was 14 and 15. At the end of the day I'm a tight ass lol.

No real update. Had my physical and it was super simple. Yay for being young lol. He just poked my lower abdomen a few times and weighed me. All the fitness training probably helped keep that to a minimum.

Hospital called the other day. I've got a phone interview on Thursday that'll take 30 minutes on my medical history.... not sure how it'll take so long when I've only had a few surgeries. Wisdom teeth, laser eye and botox but we shall see.
Fellk
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 52
Topics: 3
Joined: 06 Apr 2014, 08:31
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Homestretch?

Postby Scientist2516 » 24 Jun 2014, 07:31

Hi Felk,
So is the surgeon going to remove the scar tissue, or just do the cut?
Also, if the cut is too small, it may not be effective. You can read up about "conservative cuts". So talk to him about that.
It's great that you got referred to an nationally renowned surgeon. I really hope the LIS is effective for you!
Nifedipine/lidocaine, no help
Diltiazem, effective, but caused major rash
Nitroglycerine, effective.
Topical estrogen for final healing.
Gentle heat to bottom - pain relief, muscle relaxant
Kondremul mineral oil
Time - lots of time.
Status - Healed!
User avatar
Scientist2516
Moderator
 
Posts: 1120
Topics: 16
Joined: 21 Jul 2013, 16:00
Has thanked: 157 times
Been thanked: 214 times
Gender: Female

Re: Homestretch?

Postby Fellk » 24 Jun 2014, 09:25

He's going to do both. He says he can get rid of it pretty easily.

Yeah he said every person is different in how much you need to cut. He said I don't need all that much as I am able to heal. It's just constant retears and annoying scarring.
Fellk
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 52
Topics: 3
Joined: 06 Apr 2014, 08:31
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: Homestretch?

Postby Fellk » 05 Jul 2014, 08:39

Getting close. Today is Saturday and Tuesday I go in. At this point I've got no real 'timing' on when I'm to go in. Hospital should be giving me a call Monday to give me the precise time.

Starting to get a BIT nervous but nothing too bad. From what I've read of others' experiences it sounds like it feels like a bad fissure as well, it kinda is. I'm slightly concerned it's on a Tuesday and I'm supposed to work Wednesday. Some people say OMG PAIN and some say meh it was sore but nothing they couldn't handle. I'll just have to play it by ear. I can really only go on that my fissures have never been crazy painful. Just a warm, hot pain after during and after washroom that dulls and mostly hurts when I'm walking around.

I also need to make sure I reiterate to my doc that it's the scar tissue that's my big problem. I need it gone. He said no problem before but I don't want to have to go through this waiting period again. Just get rid of it and I'll deal with the healing side of things. Probably double up on Miralax.. stool is soft but if I can get if a tiny bit looser/closer to mud I'll be doing myself a favor.
Fellk
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 52
Topics: 3
Joined: 06 Apr 2014, 08:31
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified


Return to Diaries



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests