I had a sphincterotomy and hemmorhoidectomy on July 26, four days ago now. I have suffered from hemmorhoids for many years, and from a chronic fissure for at least a year or two. The pain and discomfort grew worse even as I took aggressive measures to deal with the problem (increased water intake, greatly increased fibre intake, stool softeners, reducing stress, better toileting habits). By the time I had the surgery, there were no more good days and I was in pain for most of each day.
I knew I was having a sphincterotomy, and my doc told me he would do an exam and take out any roids that he came across. After the surgery, I was told that I had both procedures and that everything went well.
I am a 48 year old, very healthy male. I have been basically eating the fissure diet for six months or so.
DAY 1 - SURGERY
Woke up and felt moderate to bad pain. First thing I did was take 2 Tylenol 3's (with codeine). Doc gave me Tylenol 3's (as nec), Flagyl (antibiotic), Milk of Magnesia (2x/day), in addition to what I was already taking which was Colace (2x/day), Miralax (2x/day) and Metamucil (2x/day). Went home in pain and spent the night tender and in a lot of pain despite the meds. Sleep came mercifully in 45 minute chunks. It would be accurate to call this the day of pain. Soup for dinner, but couldn't eat much.
I told the nurse I didn't want to take constipating meds. She said for 24 hours I don't really have a choice and I should not get behind the pain (i.e. I must take the pain relievers before they run out). After that, she said, I could decide what to do. She was right. The pain was bad despite the meds.
DAY 2
First BM basically on schedule from before the op. It hurt a lot. I did it sitting in a hot sitz bath, which I definitely recommend. It is very gross, but who cares. What isn't gross at this point. I live in a world of gross.
Did the second BM later in the day the same way. Took the codeine during the day and then, feeling like I was getting better, chose to take only regular Tylenol at night. That was a mistake. Took the codeine again in the middle of the night and managed to sleep pretty much through the night. Started to feel a bit better in the afternoon and then felt like a bag of crap the whole evening and night. Oatmeal for breakfast, fruit for lunch, soup for dinner.
DAY 3
Tough morning, better afternoon, tough evening. Several BMs which all hurt, but not for a long time. Pain most of the time, but better in the afternoon. Taking sitz baths. Taking regular Tylenols. Walked around the block around my house, which was a major accomplishment. Slice of homemade pizza for dinner.
I believe that I do not have fissure pain anymore. It could be masked by other pain, or something else, but after BMs I do not feel the same pain - I only feel the pain from the surgery that is always there.
I cannot compare the pain from the fissure with the surgical pain - they are too different. Fissure pain for me was local and piercing, but otherwise I felt fine. This surgery pain is a general feeling of being unwell, a pain that makes you feel sick and fragile, even though it may not be as intense as fissure pain. They both suck. A lot.
DAY 4
I am still in pain, and there are good times and bad times, but I am definitely trending better. I could sit for short periods today, and walked around the block three times. Two BMs which hurt but not as much as the day before. I went without any pills during the day, but took Tylenols in the evening and I will for bedtime too. Back to my normal fissure diet. Everything hurts but not quite as much as yesterday. Relatively speaking, I'm feeling much better. Generally speaking, I feel like crap.
All the best you wonderful people out there. I will keep you posted. Philber.