by Jojo1 » 17 Jan 2012, 13:29
Don't let it get you down. I've been there. I didn't suffer nearly as long as you did, only six months, but it was six months of pure HELL and unless you've been through it, you really cannot comprehend how devastating the affect is on our lives.
As for the discomfort you're having now, I want to encourage you to give it time. That area is very delicate and we can easily forget that until something goes wrong. And once this tear happens, yes the initial healing can be quick, but it will take months for the area to truly recover. I had my LIS about two months ago now and while I often feel I'm 100% better, the reality is I'm maybe 99.5% better, but that last .5% takes a good long time to come. I still soak each day after my morning bowel movement and sometimes once more during the day. I still have some tenderness or soreness after a bowel movement and if I don't eat well that day (indulge in too many carbs, etc.) and have 2-3 movements in that day, it can be quite tender, but I step up the soaking and in a day or two I'm just about right as rain.
I would recommend, for the time being (at least for the first year or so), continue your "pre-LIS" regimen. Soft fiber foods (cooked vegetables), Miralax (works better than the colace-type stuff IMO), lean soft proteins (fish, chicken), plenty of water (2-3 litres daily), soak at least 20 minutes after a bowel movement and if you're having discomfort, one more soak at some point during the day, keep the area clean and dry and . . . be patient. You'll do fine, but it will take time. I hope this helps.
Jojo