Hello, all.

I've been browsing here for a few weeks and figured I may as well tell my little story. After all, where else can one talk about AF?

I'd had occasional haemorrhoids for years; bit of pain, bit of blood, gone in a few days. No need even for a GP.

When I had the same symptoms six weeks ago, I assumed they were back. However, this time there was a lot more blood and pain.

This time I went to a GP after a week. After an extremely cursory examination (didn't even touch me), he diagnosed haemorrhoids, possibly because I mentioned my history, and prescribed suppositories.

A few days later I went back, even worse. Different doctor performed the same cursory examination; didn't see any haemorrhoids but assumed they were internal. He prescribed more expensive suppositories and cream.

A week later I was still no better, and now having trouble passing any BM - to the point that I didn't for three days. I went back again and this time was given laxatives and a referral to a specialist.

Wait time for public specialist - six months. I gave in and paid for a private one.

Now four weeks in, and I finally got to see a specialist. In a minute, he diagnosed an AF and prescribed nifedipine + lignocaine ointment, and told me to come back in six weeks.

After two weeks of using it, I'm no better.

My pattern is: wake up at 6ish, have BM, debilitating pain hits at about 9am and lasts to mid-afternoon. I'm still working, but really struggling. I feel better at night, then the pattern starts all over again.

Apparently if I'm not better in a few weeks, the specialist will book me in for surgery - but I dread to think how long the wait will be. In the meantime, I'll keep browsing here and hope not just for my recovery, but that of the other sufferers whose sad tales I have read.

We have similar stories. I've been on and off this board since 2009, I'm still working on the cure.
Like you I have early am bm, then go into pain mode until evening.

I recently went for a 3rd opinion on my anal woes. CRS couldn't see a fissure, although I have all the symptoms.

Nifedipine and return in 2 months.

By the way, has anyone in history ever been cured using cortisone suppositories?