Hi all,
I was so happy to stumble upon this board. Well, not happy to see so many others suffering, but glad to see there is a place where we can support each other. To give you a brief overview of my history, I am 32 years old and have struggled with hemmorhoids/constipation my whole life, but have basically had it under control for the last 10 years by taking a ton of fiber every day. Nevertheless, two years ago, I must have pushed a bit too hard one day and I was diagnosed with my first AF. The doc gave me Nitro cream and told me to increase my fiber, take sitz baths, and use baby wipes instead of TP. I would say that the major pain was gone within the first week and I was totally healed within 4-6 weeks. However, almost exactly a year later, the same thing happened. I went back to the doctor, who gave me a painful exam only to tell me what I already knew: I had another AF. This time, he gave me diltiazem 2% cream and the same instructions as before. Luckily, once again, the major pain was gone within a week, and a few more weeks later I was in pretty good shape.
It's been a year since then. You would think I would have learned something from these two experiences, but ten days ago, I did something IDIOTIC. I pushed hard. And sure enough I ripped my fissure. I still had one refill left on my diltiazem cream, so I filled that and started using it. After all, I am 99% sure it is an AF, and I really don't need the doctor to do a painful probe me to tell me that.
I have been applying the cream around (not in) the anus twice a day, as the doctor had instructed me. I have been using a lot, though, definitely more than a pea size. I have also been taking lots of sitz baths, and have increased my fiber. My BM's are relatively soft, but still very painful.
The reason I write now is because it has been 10 days and I have seen little improvement. My mornings are still incredibly painful, while afternoons are a bit better. Also, it seems like the area around the anus is incredibly sensitive now. I am not sure if I am putting too much cream on or what. I have tried to get the cream inside the anus (since others on here swear by that), but it is so tight that I have been unable to do so.
So here are my questions:
1) Am I being stupid not going to see a doctor? I just really don't want to go through a painful probe just to hear what I already know.
2) Is it abnormal to see no real improvement by 10 days?
3) Is it possible I am putting on too much cream and irritating the skin around the anus?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time. I know this is not a short post, so I really appreciate your help.