It seems that if I am going to tear, 9 out of 10 times it happens right before my period. I've seen a few other people mention that as well. It's driving me crazy! This latest retear happened two days before my period started.
Anyone else notice this? Any theories as to why it might happen?
I know it seems like I get a little more constipated right before my period. I should probably take more Miralax then. This month it was compounded by getting over a stomach virus and that's why I wasn't taking my Miralax.
I also wonder if I have an internal hem that I'm not aware of--maybe it's swelling before my period and contributing to the tearing?
I feel like at some point I'm going to wind up needing the surgery again...

Hey Alpine,
For me period time can cause harder bm's too. I'm very irregular so it's almost impossible to know when to up my Miralax. I do try to eat extra good around the week it should be coming though. I know there were quite a few post where this was mentioned with the ladies. I think Fissy had a post that mentioned something about things actually changing in that area around period time. I have had unusual tender feeling around that time. Once I started things were ok but it just seemed more tender in that area. I wonder if hormones could cause thinning in that area or something?! I know it's very common to have harder or looser BM's with them... I think it was Tabby who took some kind of supplement to help around period time- something "primrose" I believe?! I'm not sure what that is... I guess an internal hem could also be a possibility. Does it feel like you are tearing when you see the blood or is it painless?
I feel horrible for you and I keep thinking if it were me- what would I do... I've read so many post in here where it took longer for some than others to fully heal and not see blood again. Kim comes to mind as one who had some blood here and there for quite a long time after surgery. If I'm remembering correctly, he didn't seem to have any pain though. I know I've mentioned Jen before but it was 6 months and then things started to turn around.

Hi Alpine
I am writing just to sympathise with you as I found your recent reply to me very helpful. I cant help medically but I really understand how you feel.
I always dread my monthly period as I too become more constipated before and during my period. I believe for me that the problem is hormonal changes. I have endeometriosis (which is not requiring any treatment, I was diagnosed following fertillity investigations many year ago) but I have a lot of cramping before and for the first 2 days of my period which I think causes the constipation and I think I feel I need to go to the toilet sometimes because of the cramping when I actually do not and I am forcing a BM which is leading to the fissure being strained. I feel I need to have a BM everyday to keep things right but maybe during my period I dont.
I also worry that I have tears around the vaginal area caused during my period which are like paper cuts as the hormones make the skin seem more delicate. I always bleed heavily which makes it so difficult to maintain cleanliness for the fissure and can make it smart.
I have made the following dietary change lately, it was recommended to me (and I was very sceptical at first)by a Health Visitor who recommended it for mothers after giving birth dreading their first few BMs. I got through my last period pain free.
Every morning I eat 2 weetabix, 1 apple, a handful of grapes and strawberries and milk in a bowl and 1 or 2 cups of English tea with it. and I take Movicol in the evening. It has not failed me for 5-6 weeks.
I was also told that perception of pain is greater during a period and I get vaginal pain/urinary tract pain also.
I have considered taking the pill for a few months non stop to stop my periods to allow the fissure to heal but I would ask a gynae dr before doing that. DRs have recommended Ponstan Forte to me for the cramps in the past also but I think hormones and cramps cause the constipation and the problem and theres not a lot can be done about it.

Here's a link Alpine.
http://anal-fissure.org/t2021-anal-fissure-and-menstruation#46171

Thanks Dawn for the great link!
To answer your question, it wasn't very painful when I tore due to the fact that I think it's a pretty superficial tear (there's definitely a tear I can see it with a mirror). So the initial onset of it wasn't too painful but the last couple of BM's have been a bit sore and aggravating to the tear.
I know there have been others who did eventually heal after the surgery. I hope I'm one of them. On the one hand, I'm not ready to deal with the surgeon again, but on the other hand, we're going to be moving in the spring. My hubby will be switching jobs in January and our insurance will be different. I've been through a lot here, but I'm still shy and I really don't want to 'kiss a bunch of frogs' so to speak--I loved my surgeon and I don't want to have to go through an ordeal finding a new one. So that adds a little bit of pressure--if I'm going to go back to him, I need to do it soon, he takes forever to get in to see!
Two Years, it sounds like upping the fiber before the period is a good idea. I do like Weetabix. I got through last month's period alright but then this month was just crazy, diet-wise, due to that stomach flu I had.
So maybe for now I'll call it a fluke, unless it starts happening before every period.

I know what you mean about the stomach flu. It's going around here and I run from people who have told me they have it!! I had to drop my great niece off after school today to her Mom who is sick and I stayed 6 feet away... Lol! It's unavoidable though when the kids get it, it usually makes its rounds.
I think you are right to wait it out and see if things are going to eventually completely heal.
That whole area seems so tender after surgery. I have no idea what they do, but it seems vulnerable to irritation, etc after surgery... I would give it my best shot with diet, and everything before moving onto another surgery. I agree that's not something you really want to rush into a second time- even though it can be a solution to final healing, it's not really any fun and from what I've seen not a good idea to do too quick. I think a couple of years would be a good idea...
Hopefully you will get a break and get some time on it and the re-tears will stop. It may be just a fluke, it may be that your bottom needs extra babying until it gets some healing time and upping your fiber,water and whatever makes the bm's softer around period time can probably do nothing but help...
I'm sorry Alpine. I wish it was fast for everybody, but don't give up. I have read so many post in here and no two are completely the same with healing. It may take a little longer but I think it can still happen. You had fissure problems for so long prior to surgery and it's not fair that you didn't get a quicker recovery, but maybe the skin is going to need extra time to re-gain strength and it's just going to take a little longer for complete healing.
PS...
Alpine, did you notice Corsi was around 9 months post-op and said she was still having the problems around period time... I think I will follow her post

Certainly bcos of the constipation when the hormones surge, similar to pregnancy. I also has a problem with differentiating my cramps and the urge for bm. Have u tried prune juice? You may want to up your softeners before or during ur period...

Thanks for your replies!
Dwarfs, prune juice is one of those things that works in a very unpredictable way for me. I'm pretty sure I have IBS, I've always had a touchy system. Prunes and prune juice can easily give me cramps and raging diarrhea :(. I do try to eat 3-4 prunes before bed, though, if I eat them before bed I don't seem to have a problem.
Dawn, I'm going to have to look at Corsi's posts too. At any rate, this situation is better for me than it was before surgery. I can't stress that enough. I don't have spasms or burning pain at all anymore.
My periods are regular and I always have a massive anxiety attack the day before they start, so it's not like I don't know when they're coming. I'll just have to really be careful in the future, especially if I have the flu.

Hey Dawn, I did look at Corsi's posts. It seems like she got the point where I am and that was pretty much as good as it got for her. Then she stopped posting. I wish she'd follow up, for better or worse...I just wish I knew what to expect!
If occasional pain and bleeding but no spasms is as good as it gets, well, I think I can live with that. It's just that every time I see blood I get scared that I'm going to go down that spiral of getting worse and worse again.

Hey Alpine,
I read her post too. I wish she wouldn't have stopped posting!!
I agree the spasms are what made it unbearable for me and really altered my life. I always said I think I could have lived with the shards of glass at bm's but the spasms sent me over the edge.
I thought about this too- When fissulyna (fissy) had a re-tear after her first LIS, I believe she had spasms and felt like she did before surgery(?), but I don't think Corsi or Jen (who also had re-tears after LIS) saying anything about spasms. I think that could play a big part in the healing or not healing and needing another LIS. I think the fact you're not having the spasms says a lot about healing being able to take place still.
I'm going to keep reading and see what I find, but I'm with you Alpine, I think this needs more time to heal! I think it's just being slow. I wonder if scar tissue could be causing it to be more stubborn I wonder if they would have smoothed it down when you had LIS if it would have helped with the healing?! But who knows! Steve did have a fissurectomy and has had the same things happening...hmm
That's good your periods are regular. I have never been very regular but I can usually tell when they are getting close because I cry at the drop of a hat when it's about that time :oops: