Hi , Want to share my story so far and ask you guys if my experience rings any bells ?
This forum is a godsend and I want you to know how much I appreciate the support!
Im 28 years old and have just given birth to my first child, he is 10 weeks old.
My back round health consists of one diverticulum removal in my early 20's ( which was discovered my chance as I was wrongly diagnosed with appendicitis)
I also received a course of b12 injections last year as I was told that a dietary supplement wouldn't help as my bowel wouldn't absorb it.
My symptoms were of fatigue and dizzy spells ( although I suppose if I looked into my 'memory problems', they could be related) .
The Fissure Pain started about a week after the birth of my son, At first I was given a mild pile cream from my G.P, however within about a week I knew that this pain was no ordinary pile, I self diagnosed a fissure( which I know is not a good thing) as it was the weekend an emergency doctor prescribed Rectogesic 4mg /g and xyloproct over the phone. I used these creams along with hot baths for a further 2 weeks with no marked improvement.
I again visited a different G.P who examined me and wrongly ruled out a fissure , over the next couple of weeks I have visited the doctor a further three times receiving various hemorrhoid suppositories. I don't need to tell any of you the lack of success these have had.

Im in my eighth week of this hell, The pain has been severe , I am in pain throughout the day which makes coping with a small baby very difficult, not to mention the back pain from standing whilst breastfeeding! My doctors have offered little sympathy and have at times made me feel that the pain was in some way phantom. Questions have been asked about depression, implying that I was suffering from the baby blues whilst its really been the fissure blues!
I was also told that co-codamol was a good painkiller to take but on further inspection I see that it contains coadine :(
My partner and family have been supportive but are sick of hearing about my bowel movements and pain , I feel very alone with this problem..
Yesterday I saw another GP who examined me and was very kind and helpful she has told me that I have 2 fissure one is about 3 cm and the other is about 1cm,( is this considered small or large?) its also angry and raw???? I also have a pile, she has prescribed Timodine , proctosedyl , instillagel and a laxative, Ive also restarted the Rectogesic.
I would also add that I am supposed to take an Iron supplement but cant face it for obvious reasons. My diets always contained plenty of fiber as I have been raised a veggie.
Any support and advice would be appreciated, I cry before during and after a BM. The pain lasts the entire day and I literally have to hold on to something whilst using the toilet.
Its ruining my life and putting a dampner on the early days with my most perfect wee son , even leaving the house is a struggle as people cant understand why I am so cranky!

Please Help

Aw, sjane! I'm so sorry you are suffering so much! You should be enjoying your new baby and instead you have to deal with dipstick doctors who don't know what they are doing! That's really not fair!
Your story is very familiar, unfortunately. Many of us had to deal with months of being misdiagnosed and given exactly the wrong treatment by unsympathetic doctors. And it's very hard for family and friends to understand what you're going through. You really have to have experience fissure pain to know how truly agonizing it is!
Have you been referred to a colorectal surgeon (CRS) yet? If not, I would definitely recommend that you see one. A CRS is the person who will know what's going on and help you get the proper treatment. Since you're breastfeeding, you will want to make sure that any ointments (like Nitro and Diltiazem) that are normally prescribed are safe while nursing. There have been a few discussions on this forum about that too. I really think it's time to see a specialist, especially with your other issues. You are still relatively early in the fissure world, so there might still be a chance that conservative measure could help you.
You might also want to talk to a CRS about botox and the surgical procedure - a Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy (LIS). That's were a small cut is made to the internal sphincter muscle. They do that because chronic fissures usually don't heal because the sphincter is too tight and spasms, which prevents blood flow in the butt and that prevents healing. With the cut, the spasms stop, the butt is looser and blood flows better to heal the fissure.
Some surgeons don't like to do that procedure on women who have delivered vaginally because the risk of incontinence is a bit higher. But other surgeons think that a more conservative cut during the surgery for such women is safe. I doubt at this relatively early stage a surgeon will want to do the surgery, but it's something to know about for further down the road if you don't heal with other treatments.
Many of us have done a lot of crying with our fissures. I know I sure did! I'd cry before and during a BM and for a long time after a BM and sometimes even most of the day when the pain was so bad and wouldn't stop. I also had to grab onto my bathtub and sink counter while pooping. You're not alone!
I know the situation seems hopeless, but don't give up! Demand to see a specialist. Many of us were where you are now and we got better, but some of us had to fight for it. There are lots of very nice people here who can offer you good advice and support, so it's good that you're here.

Hey sjane,
I'm so sorry to hear you are dealing with this after giving birth. I can't imagine how difficult it must be. I couldn't even set to hold my granddaughter when I had my fissure.
I second Hope, you really need to see a Colorectal surgeon as they should be more understanding and knowledgable about a fissure. It is very painful and never ending, so no doubt most folks will become depressed after a periodof time
Codeine is a consipator for most folks so maybe if you have to use it, you could take a good stool softener- if you aren't already. Many of us have found Movicol/ Miralax to be a life saver while taking pain meds after surgery and such.
I had LIS last year for my fissure. It totally gave me instant relief from the spasms/ tightness , shards of glass. Many doctors like to try all other avenues before opting for LIS. I used Diltiazem- one of the fissure ointments for awhile and told my CRS that I wanted the surgery...
Some choose Botox first to see if they can heal. It will temporarily do what LIS does permanently to loosen the muscle that is causing spasms and not allowing your fissure to heal...
Id like to also mention I have gave birth vaginally to 4 children and never had any incontinence from this surgery. My CRS never had any incontinence cases. I would run as fast as I could from any CRS who says they have!! Just my 2 cents, Lol. I hope this puts your mind at ease.
Hang in there. We know how you feel and it's just a matter of getting a good CRS to get this over as quick as possible so you can enjoy that new baby!

Yeah - I agree, Dawn, there really shouldn't be a problem with an LIS if you've had kids. There have been many boardies on here who are moms and had the surgery with no problem. I'd just be aware that some surgeons might make a bit of a fuss about it. With a good CRS, there's no problem! :D

Thank you both for replying, its good to know that im not alone!
I will continue with the rectogesic for the next week and if I see no improvement Ill ask for a referral to a specialist.
Thanks for the advice and ill keep you updated :)

Ask your doctor about Gluten Intolerance or Celiac.