by LemonMan » 23 May 2017, 07:01
Feel truly saddened by the tragic events in Manchester last night. Certainly puts things in perspective. Met some wonderful people in the hospital yesterday, from all sorts of backgrounds, all working so hard to help me and others in the ward, and yet there are others hell bent on doing the exact opposite. Such a shame.
Well anyway, I did promise I would send out my experience to share with others, so here goes:
Was taken to the ward at around 7:30 and asked the usual questions such as known allergies, when I last ate, drank, and if I was on medication etc. There were probably about 20 or so people in my ward for varying colorectal procedures, the chap next to me also in for botox.
Had to change into the usual hospital garments and then the surgeon came to explain the procedure to me. He explained the risks - the main one being loss of continence, but he explained that no-one had ever come back to him to complain of that. I then duly signed off the paperwork.
It was then a waiting game, and I tried to read my book. I was one of the last to head in, and walked with my assigned nurse to be anesthetised at about 11:30. They essentially lay you down on the hospital bed ask you the usual questions about what you do, what your hobbies are (to put you at ease) and then you fall under.
I vaguely remember coming to as I was being wheeled back to the ward. In true movie fashion as the fluorescent lights pass overhead as you look up from your bed. I had an oxygen mask on, which they removed when I got back. For a while I dozed in my bed but was fully awake by about 2pm. I estimated that the procedure took somewhere between 45 and 90 minutes. Longer than I expected.
I wasn't in any real pain - which was a relief. My coccyx was aching a bit and that was really it. My nurse offered me some jam and toast and a cup of tea, and I generally just relaxed for a while. He then came to explain what they had done.
They had started with an EVA, and then excised an anal polyp - not something I was expecting to have done. They then performed rubber band litigation of two haemorrhoids, and finally botox injections. Simon (my nurse) said I had quite a lot of procedures and was surprised I wasn't in more pain - as was I. He then ran me through my meds which included 2 x 500mg of paracetamol every 6 hours, Laxido every 12 hours (this looks to me to be the same as Movicol) and Diltiazem every 12 hours. The Diltiazem surprised me. I didn't realise you continued this once you had botox. The Diltiazem they gave me wasn't the usual Anoheal, but an unbranded version by UCL Medicine.
Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to see my surgeon again, but have been given a follow up appointment in 3 months time.
I was then discharged and my wife came to collect me at about 5pm. It was a glorious sunny day and I was glad to be outside, if I did look a little like a penguin walking down the road.
Once home I checked my emails, still not in any real discomfort, except for a slight achy feeling, and then fell asleep. I woke up at about 11pm and went to the spare room to browse the internet and generally waste some time. At about 5am I felt a bowel movement coming on. I had been told that they had left some dressing in me that would come out with my first bowel movement...
This was when I was expecting the pain, and lots of blood... but no! It was painful but manageable, and surprisingly no blood at all. I could see the dressing, which was also a good sign. The main problem I had was the feeling that I hadn't fully emptied my bowels. I was sure I had, but had the sensation I hadn't, and this continued for about an hour afterwards. Apart from that no much to say. Apparently the haemorrhoids should fall off (internally) after a few days. I took the opportunity check myself out in the mirror and there was nothing scary looking.
I then went to bed and fell asleep waking up again about 9am.
So all in all it was a good experience, at least so far. No real horror stories in terms of pain. I've various different accounts of how long the botox will last from one to three months, but my guess is this is what the slight lack of sensation after going is all about. In terms of lack of continence, i.e. wind - nothing so far, everything thing is pretty much normal.
I'll post an update of how I get on soon, or if there are any unexpected changes. I think the acid test is in a weeks time when I am back in my car.
Until then, good luck everyone. LemonMan
Aug 14: Anal Abscess diagnosed
Dec 15: Anterior Anal Fissure diagnosed
Jan 16: Anoheal - Thought was healed end of Jan
Apr 16: Anoheal - Thought was healed end of May
Sep 16: Fissure back. Started Anoheal again
May 17: Botox and banding - fingers crossed