by dmcff » 15 Feb 2018, 11:00
Today I had my first appointment in the Pelvic Floor Investigation Unit at St Thomas' Hospital, London. The first part of the session involved filling in a large number of "feedback" forms with questions about toilet habits, stool consistency, medical history, psychological attitude, and many other things. When the forms were completed, I saw a physiotherapist who took me through the outlines of the treatment, stressing that there was no single "magic" cure, and no specific name for the illness except "pelvic floor dysfunction".
I was told that I'll be seen at 6-weekly intervals over a period of 6 months, and was given some information sheets and schedules. I have to keep a one-week diary of what I eat and drink, plus a record of bowel activity during the same one-week period. Also, I have to use glycerine suppositories *after* bowel movements, to facilitate emptying of the bowel, and must use a footstool ("squatty potty"). I also have to learn deep breathing, and how to relax the anus during bowel movements.
The physio then examined me.
I'm fairly confident that this is going to work, though was slightly taken aback when the physio seemed uncertain about the precise nature of anal fissures, and kept referring to fistulae, which I definitely don't have. However, perhaps I misunderstood her.
I'll see how I get on with this.
2014 Anal fissure
2015 CAT, EUA, sigmoidoscopy, 2 MRI
2016 Pain severe then moderate to low
2017 Moderate pain
2018 Physical therapy, pain management
2019-20 Living with it
2021 Still AF
2022 Therapy, meditation
2023 Onward, up
2024 CT scan