It already feels soothing to know this forum exists. Thank you all for this forum and your helpful participation.
I have been struggling with fissures for at least a couple of years. I am 41 years old. My family doctor prescribed various ointments with no success and 8 weeks ago I saw a anorectal surgeon for the first time. He prescribed a regimen to follow for 6 weeks as a step before considering surgery. The regimen is 3% diltiazem ointment 3 times a day, taking miralax daily and a soluble fibre supplement.
I have 2 fissures and one seems to have healed while the other still bleeds occasionally. I also find the diltiazem irritates the skin around my anus and has even caused a couple of raised irritated bumps...which I dont believe are hemmrhoids but more so irritation.
I get so demoralized when the fissure bleeds after certain bowel movements (usually if the bowel movement is just slightly more firm). and wonder if these things will ever heal. The fibre supplement seemed to make my stoolharder despite drinking lots of water...so I have stopped the fibre and continued with the Miralax. Otherwise I eat a mostly plant based and low carb diet.
I'm so afraid of surgery and also that I may never be able to have intercourse without injuring myself. The follow up with the surgeon is in 3 weeks and I dont feel certain that the fissures will be completely healed or if they healed when I s.see him...that they wont just open up again when I have a regular bm. I tend to hold tension in my butt and wonder if that made it more likely that I got the AFs in the first place.
Thank you so much for even reading this and offering any advice or suggestions you might have!
Adam
