Well actually I'm gonna call myself mrAnonymous because this is a rather embarrassing problem.
It all started probably just over a year ago when I felt some pain when defecating. After a few days, the pain got worse and there was some blood each time. I tried to keep a diet with a decent amount of fibre and as far as I can tell, I had (and still have) very normal stool consistency. However, the pain each time I defecate is still there.
Basically, I think it is an anal fissure but I don't know - could be hemorrhoids or even cancer.
I did go to the doctor about this about 3 months after it started (I live in the UK and so I went to see my GP). He briefly felt around inside there and said one of the muscles was slightly swollen, but I'm guessing he didn't do too in-depth an examination. I was told that "this could be a problem you'll be dealing with for the rest of your life." His prescription was for me to eat Oatibix and porridge to soften the stools - I thought this was odd as it's usually recommended to get more fibre in the diet. As I say I think my stool consistency is pretty normal.
Although the pain isn't unbearable, it is pretty unpleasant. It's not constant - it happens when I defecate and generally slowly goes away after a few minutes. Sometimes over a few weeks it almost seems to heal but then when I defecate I kind of feel a sudden tinge of pain as if the sphincter wound has ripped again and the pain and some blood is back. Quite often, the area is itchy if there was blood, instead of painful.
Well now it's been going on for over a year and I'm still in the same situation. What would you guys advise? I'm not totally sure what it is but my best guess is an anal fissure. What if I go back to the doctor and I get another non-answer? I'm guessing that it's not good to just live with this kind of thing, even if it isn't too severe, as I've read that the wound can get infected by fecal bacteria. Surely it shouldn't be something you have to deal with for the rest of your life if it's treated properly?
