Hi guys,
Just wanted to get information about Sphincterotomy. I went to a specialist today, and told him that I've been using Diltiazem 2% (which he prescribed me earlier) for about a week and a half now, and have noticed absolutely NO difference whatsoever in my condition. I still have the same painful, bloody BMs, everyday (without exception), and coz of the fear, I'm only going once a day. In the morning, I really have the urge to go, so I go. Otherwise, I don't really have an urge, just a feeling that I could go at other times of the day, but because of fear from the pain and blood, I just avoid it. He suggested to me that I try for about another week or two, and if it still persists, then we could go for a Sphincterotomy. I told him that I haven't heard good things about procedures for AFs. He said it's not true. This particular one has a very high success rate, is an out-patient procedure, very safe, would take about 5 mins (I think he meant that metaphorically though), and is covered by OHIP (for readers who live in Ontario, you'll know what I mean). I also mentioned that I heard AF procedures could sometimes lead to loss of control of BMs. He assured me that that's not the case in people my age (28). That normally happens in older folks (50 or above). The problem with me is that I'm already caught up in some personal situations that require my undivided attention, but this issue has been going on for almost 2 and a half months now, and it's keeping me very depressed, worried, and unable to focus on other things. My older brother and I are working on a project together, and he just wants me to "suck it up" and not worry about my AF and just focus on that instead. That's why I'm just thinking to give the Diltiazem just another week as a formality, and ask the specialist to do the procedure so that I can get done with this atrocity and get back to normal.
Just wanna know that if anyone here has gone through the same procedure, and has had success with it. I guess if anyone has had complications, I should know about those too, though I've been so depressed because of this, I might not listen and still decide to go for the procedure as a last hope of recovering quickly. I honestly don't have the time and will to wait another 2 weeks to see if the Diltiazem works or not.
Appreciate the feedback guys, and apologies for the lengthy post.
Thanks.