Hi there,
For the past 8 months, I have been reading all of the great advice in this forum. Today, after my flexible sigmoid scope I decided to join for some help. I've been suffering with the fissures for 8 months and am now at an impasse.
Quick backstory: was diagnosed with breast cancer while 8 months pregnant. Pregnancy was induced, a healthy baby girl and started treatment. About 3 weeks into chemotherapy - BAM!! Anal Fissures galore. (And I mean galore. I had 5 anal fissures all at once because the chemo drugs had damaged the skin down there, no estrogen due to baby delivery + chemo and all the meds I was on made me constipated). Saw a CRS who followed me closely throughout chemo and assured me fissures should heal post-chemo as I had no other underlying reason for the fissures. I finished chemo 4 months ago and still no healing... 2 fissures are now chronic with skin tags now due to delayed healing.
In terms of remedies I have tried:
- diltiazem/nitro - CRS
- antibiotics (flagyl) - CRS
- manuka honey - naturopath
- laxatives for 5 months straight - CRS
- olive oil and coconut oil - naturopath
- aloe vera - naturopath
- lube up before each movement
- preparation H wipes after each movement
- vegetarian diet, high fibre, lots of water
I am now trying ozone oil - we'll see. All of the above is helpful, for sure, but it's not healing it. I want botox or surgery so I saw my CRS today for the scope...
Anyways, the purpose of my post: today I had my sigmoid scope. The enema was BRUTAL (sodium phosphate stinging was horrible on the poor fissures) but otherwise o-kay. However...MY CRS SAID HE COULD NOT SEE THE FISSURES AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND BOTOX OR SURGERY BECAUSE "HE CANNOT EVEN SEE THEM".
I am beyond frustrated. How can I have 8 months of passing glass followed by intense spasm/burning pain all day, only to be told he cannot see anything? I will admit that lately bleeding has slowed down from every single time (during chemo) to probably bleeding once every 4-5 days or so.
What does this mean and what do I do now? Has anyone else experienced this?
For a disclaimer: I am not imagining this! I have had 3 surgeries, a bilateral double mastectomy, reconstruction, lymph node removal, 8 rounds of chemotherapy, hospitalized twice during chemo with life-threatening infections while immunocompromised and can safely say the fissures have been BY FAR THE WORST OF IT ALL. Yet I am being told they are not there and he will see me in a month? Help!