Luka, I wanted to say that I had the same fiber issue that you have had and that I stopped takin it even before the surgery and was worries about what would happen, but then was soft and regular after the first one or two BMs using one cap of miralax, plenty of water, and one colace pill per day. I'm convinced it was my own fear, stress, and anxiety about BMs that caused my horrible BMs. It's only gotten better and better as I begin to expect normalcy! I still take colace everyday and if I eat red meat, I take miralax that day too. But my diet is regular.
You will probably want to avoid spicy food after your surgery for a few days, but eating small portions of everything else will probably be what they recommend.

I had my checkup on Wednesday too and she said everything looks phenomenal and that I don't need to come in anymore, but to be religious about my bathroom habits for the next six months while everything is tender. Good news is ahead of you!

Hi luka,
I have been following your story and just wanted to say I hope you are ok and the surgery went well for you xx

Hi everyone,

Thank you again for the good thoughts, prayers, and well wishes. I had my procedure yesterday (exam under anesthesia using a rigid sigmoidscope) and everything went well. The worst part of the whole experience was all the waiting I had to do in the pre-op area and not getting any "happy medicine" until right before being wheeled into the OR. I was hoping to get it sooner. Thankfully, I took an Ativan before going to the surgery center, which helped quite a bit to take the edge off my nerves.

However, my CRS found that I do not have a fissure at all; in fact, my lower sigmoid, rectum, and anus all look normal. No fissures, hemmoroids, polyps, or anything abnormal. : ( The pain I have been feeling is apparently all related to muscle pain issues and is most likely caused by levator ani syndrome or pelvic floor disorder, which apparently is very hard to treat well and involves physical therapy and medication. My CRS said it is not an easy disorder to treat.

I was hoping for an easy fix (although I know fissure surgery is DEFNITELY not "easy" at all for anyone!) to my pain problems that would allow me to get better eventually. I am happy and grateful that I do not have any visible issues in there, but very disappointed and embarassed at the same time that I do not have what I think I had. I am sorry everyone for wasting your time with this. : (

So, now I have to research this levator ani syndrome and see what my options are. I had to pay out-of-pocket for this whole procedure because my insurance would not cover it and there is no CRS in their system. So, I have no idea how I will be able to afford any treatment for what I have or if there is even anyone in my insurance's system that covers something like this. I am at a loss.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Now I have another battle to fight. Just wanting this pain to go away and to be able to live a normal life. I hope everyone is doing well and good luck on your fissure recoveries.

I'm so sorry, Luka! You will be in my prayers. A friend was telling me before my surgery about pelvic floor specialists, and was saying one of her friends uses one to manage that same issue! Maybe getting one will bring forth some very low pain days!

Thank you, letsgetthisover. I am happy that you are doing well in your recovery. You will be in my prayers, too. : )

I will have to look into pelvic floor specialists now. I have always had trouble with the muscles down there and have been a very tense person, so this is probably all related. I have tried and I am not even able to have sex, which was hurt many of my relationships. I am sure it is all related. Why I have such pain on one side of my rectum I wish I knew. : ( I was just hoping it would be a known problem like a fissure that you can see and fix, not something complicated like this.

This is going to be a long process, but I thank you for the prayers and all your help. : ) I wish you the best in your recovery.

Very sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with something that is harder to fix.

I hope that you can find someone to help you soon.

Hi again, I suspect I have something similar to you, although mine started with a fissure and now I think I gave ongoing issues with the muscle... I have found acupuncture to be really useful and also exercise helps the muscle to relax more so this could be helpful for you to look into..I really hope you get some improvement soon xx

Thank you, chachacha. So do I.

I will look into acupuncture, Felix. Thanks for the suggestion. I am going to concentrate on finding someone to help me first, hopefully that my insurance will cover. After paying out of pocket for this EUA, I don't have much money left to work with.

Feeling extremely low today. I don't know what it is or if it's just a huge letdown from everything, but I feel extremely depressed today. I'm still in pain and I feel like I have no hope or answers. : ( I feel like just crawling into a hole and dying right now. I haven't felt this hopeless in a long time.

Hi Luka.

I just saw your story now and wanted to chime in. So sorry to hear of your suffering but YAY no structural problems for you. Really, this is HUGE! I have Levator ani syndrome and have had it for upwards of two decades (yes it is very difficult to treat) but then I also got a fissure and things got soooooo much worse from that and it took me forever to heal because of my crazy muscles. Here is a link to my story:

my-fissure-journey-t9294.html

Anyway, I want to recommend a very good book for you. You can check your local library for it. Mine here has it.

http://www.pelvicpainhelp.com/books/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFryUqNCJf0

With the help of an excellent physio I finally healed and my pain is much more manageable. So don't feel hopeless. Getting your diagnosis is huge! Now you know what you are dealing with and what the appropriate treatment is. If you read the book you will also see there is a lot you can do for yourself too! Hang in there

Thank you for the reassurance and advice, msimon. : ) I really appreciate it so much. You have given me some hope.

I will definitely check out your diary and the book you linked. I need to get on top of this soon. I've just been so let down and depressed these past couple of days since the exam under anesthesia and need to recover from everything.

I hope I can find a great physical therapist like you have. Do insurance companies normally cover treatment for this? I have pretty cruddy health insurance right now (although I guess it's better than nothing) and they are pretty stingy about what they cover.

Also, do you take medication for it? I know there are muscle relaxers you can take and anti-depressants.

It is good to know there are no structural issues in my case and finally be able to know what the issue is. It's just depressing in that I was hoping for a fix, finally, after years of dealing with this. : ( I was ready and willing to do the surgery and whatever it took to finally get better and on the path to recovery. So, I have mixed feelings about all this. It's something I need time to fully accept and adjust to.