by Bailey » 17 Apr 2015, 16:29
Well, the Jets didn't fare so well last night but we will hopefully get them tomorrow:).
I will say that my fissure was diagnosed in October (when I could no longer sit without pain). I know that I had it for at least a month before and I actually wonder if I have had it longer than that... I remember one large BM in late June when I was at the lake and not eating well - I wonder if that was the start of the problem. But, I can't say for sure.
If you would have asked me a few months ago if constipation was a problem I would have said no. I have a BM every day and I've always thought of constipation as having a BM every 2-3 days. But, I will say that I didn't drink enough water and didn't consistently get enough fiber which caused my BM's to sometimes be firmer and harder to pass. I have learned a lot about good bowel health in the last few months. My definition of constipated now means a stool that is not softly formed and requires any amount of straining.
My problem when I changed my diet and started to drink copious amounts of water was that my stools were soft, but the tip was often more firm (some call it a plug). Not everyday, but I started to get really anxious and frustrated because I could have several good days and then I'd have a harder stool, and the pain would return. The Restoralax solved this problem for me - consistently soft stools that allowed for healing. It was a blessing.
My understanding of Restoralax is that it is an osmotic laxative that draws water into the colon (in much the same way a stool softener does). In that way, it is not supposed to be habit forming and can be used for longer periods of time. I've taken it for about a month now and I'm just starting to think of weaning off. It definitely gave me a much needed healing boost because like you, I felt like I was healing and then would relapse again. My doc suggested that I try to wean off because she said all laxitives run the risk of dependence... But the doc that I work with tells families it is such a mild laxitives that they should not worry. You can take a half does or a full dose. I plan to travel in Europe for a month this summer and my doc has already agreed that I should take it with me:).
I wish you all the best. Keep us posted.
Diagnosed anal fissure October 2014
Tried nifedipine - fissure seemed to be healing but reoccurred January 2015
Switched to Nitro and started Resoralax - Beginning of March 2015