Hey all.
I know I've been lurking around for ages on the forum unhealed. I've tried different things and persisted in keeping up the 2x daily bms, using miralax, trying to keep things soft, trying to get rid of the irritating skin tag, using aloe vera, etc. but still, it's been a roller coaster ride. I don't want to say that aloe vera didn't help me because it really has, especially when I apply the pure aloe vera juice vs. gel and when I drink it. Still, though, the problem has persisted for nearly two years! So I've decided I'm going to just make the call for LIS and write my name down, because it'll likely take 4-6 months before I can actually get the surgery anyway. If I have any last hope of healing naturally (or with diltiazem) in that short span, so be it :). I'm still terrified to actually get it done. I hate taking pain killers for a bare headache, let alone the thought of getting surgery done on my anus... But I'm also sick of the ride not ending.
I do have faith that with my handy dandy new juicing machine, I'll be a lot healthier, and will also have more frequent BMs if I start having green smoothies regularly. I'll also be going back on diltiazem in the meanwhile because I never really used it consistently - it would irritate the skin tag so I would stop for a few days literally, then again for a day, and it would irritate/make the skin tag horribly itchy. It was a weird cycle of temporary healing and then pain and/or blood again! This time I'm going to try to apply it in the anus like Kim has suggested a few times, so it doesn't come in contact with the skin tag.
I'm also still getting in touch with the naturopathic doctor to see what natural medications he has to offer for constipation. If he could rid my friend of his chocolate, wheat, etc. allergies, maybe he can help my digestive system break dairy down better, or other foods.
Thanks to everyone for lending an ear.
love to all.