day 4 after LIS

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day 4 after LIS

Postby Paul Sheldon » 21 Jun 2012, 07:37

Hello Everyone,
I have been lurking these boards for awhile but this is my first post. Need to say a big thank you to Davo for this great post which made the process much easier and less scary: http://anal-fissure.org/t4589-my-lis-diary-march-2012-fully-healed-in-4-weeks
My Story:
Back in March I started having some bleeding and thought nothing of it. (bad move) Next I started having horrible pain and at this point I assumed I had a hemorrhoid. Being embarrassed and in denial I did not tell anyone or see a doctor. After the pain got even worse and I tried all of the preparation H products I went to doctor. My doctor said I had a hemorrhoid and not to worry about it, it would go away. Two and a half weeks later it was unbearable so I called the doctor and he sent me to a specialist. The specialist knew immediately that it was a fissure. The specialist prescribed nitro glycerin ointment and all the other usual stuff, stool softener, fiber etc... After a month or more of that things were not much better and my pain was ranging from mild to unbearable. I went back for a check up and the Dr suggested surgery. By this point I was so physically and mentally exhausted by all of this I would have let them cut my arm off if I thought it would help!
On Monday the 18th I had the surgery. It was painless! Now the day before was complete misery. Had to drink two bottles of milk of magnesia and spent the day suffering on the toilet.
As soon as surgery was over my anxiety started over the first BM. Tuesday came and went and I did not have to go. Wednesday morning as soon as I woke up I felt like I had to go. I sat on the toilet but it was not happening. I had a shot of milk of magnesia and waited. Now to quote Davo "I don’t believe it………. I don’t believe it………. I DON’T F*CKING BELIEVE IT!… No pain WHATSOEVER, no soreness, no twinges, no discomfort; it was a zero on the pain score!"
I would actually say I had a 1 on the discomfort scale but it may have been more mental than anything.
Today I had my second BM which was larger and more normal to what I am used to and this time, completely comfortable. It feels much looser than it used to and totally different than it did before surgery.
The only negative things since surgery are leakage and the occasional twinge of pain. I have had to wear a pad in pants to not ruin them but it seems a couple times a day it is streaked with some blood, hoping this gets a bit better today. Also I feel weak down there. It is kind of like if you sprained or broke a finger and can't move it that well while it is healing, that is how my butt feels. Doesn't hurt but does feel weak. I am planning to go back to work on Monday so I hope I am able too.
I guess that is it for now I just wanted to share my story and if anyone has more specific questions please feel free to ask.
The mental frustration a fissure can cause is unbelievable. I was in denial for a long time because I didn't want to accept it, I felt like "this cannot happen I am 36, eat well, work out 3 times a week, why am I being punished!?" I believe had I accepted the situation earlier for what it was and went to the doctor earlier I could have saved myself months of pain.
I now feel positive and am looking forward to getting my life back and enjoying the summer.
Thanks for letting me share.
Paul Sheldon
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Re: day 4 after LIS

Postby Jojo1 » 21 Jun 2012, 08:47

So glad you are coming along. I think it's the same - and different - for everyone. It's worse if you've never even heard of a fissure. I had heard of it, but still thought it wouldn't happen . . . I mean, I'd had bouts of constipation before . . . not often, but, not unbearable and not long lasting . . . THIS, this was different.
I think for everyone the stages are the same: Confusion . . . concern . . . denial . . . frustration/anger/fear all rolled into one and then the hell begins. Our reasons for confusion, concern and denial may be different based upon our experience, but the stages are usually all the same.
Glad you had a positive surgery experience and hope all continues to "go smoothly."
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Re: day 4 after LIS

Postby Paul Sheldon » 21 Jun 2012, 08:49

Thank you! So far everything is smooth aside from the leakage which I am hoping will stop soon.
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Re: day 4 after LIS

Postby 44alegna44 » 21 Jun 2012, 09:23

Hi Paul,
Congrats on the surgery and thrilled you are feeling so much better now! Image Ah, the relief that surgery can offer is amazing after having suffered the kind of pain that comes from a fissure.
Remember to continue to take things slow in this early stage of recovery...give your body the best chance possible to continue its healing slow yet steady. I never experienced leakage, but I know it is common after surgery and the duration is different based on the individual. Thankfully, it is not an "issue", just maybe a slight nuisance.
Best Wishes for continued and full healing Image Image
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Re: day 4 after LIS

Postby Paul Sheldon » 21 Jun 2012, 09:29

Thanks so much Angel.
Of course I have been anxious through all of this and now I am anxious the leakage wont stop. I should remain calm though, it is not that bad and things could be much worse!
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Re: day 4 after LIS

Postby Jojo1 » 21 Jun 2012, 12:06

Just give it time. I did have a discharge, which I guess is the same as leakage, maybe. Thre was no blood, but I kept gauze on it throughout the first 3-4 weeks, changing it as needed and there would always be a yellow, slimy discharge on it each time I changed it. I asked my CRS about it and he said it would get better and smaller and it did, until eventually it stopped altogether. I think it's a part of the healing, remember post-op, you have the healing fissure and the healing incision and they don't heal at the same rate or the same way.
Just be patient, careful and respect your body.
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Re: day 4 after LIS

Postby Paul Sheldon » 21 Jun 2012, 12:14

Thanks I will. The leakage just looks like small streaks of blood it is not gushing or anything. I am just hoping I can return to work on Monday and not have to wear a diaper.
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Re: day 4 after LIS

Postby Jojo1 » 22 Jun 2012, 06:46

Have you tried gauze? I picked up some of the Johnson & Johnson bandages that were about 4x4. After my cleaning and drying for the morning, I would take one and place it there and change it out as needed during the day.
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Re: day 4 after LIS

Postby Paul Sheldon » 22 Jun 2012, 08:20

I will try the johnson & johnson pads sounds like a good plan. I woke up this morning to not too much leaking, just a few streaks. Will see how today goes. BM today went pretty well but I had some burning pain, not as bad as before surgery but was a scary reminder. I took a bath and now all feels well. I have so much anxiety though about things getting worse ugh! Need to relax somehow. I will update later. Thanks everyone for the tips, it helps a lot to know I am not alone.
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Re: day 4 after LIS

Postby 44alegna44 » 22 Jun 2012, 09:05

Yes Paul...RELAX, please...a positive frame of mind does play into a successful recovery...remember that we are EXPECTED to feel at the least, discomfort...and at the most, even pain, during the initial phase of healing after surgery. Anyone here will tell that.
You'll do just fine..you are healing now and will recover
fully...that's what you need to tell yourself each day! Image
Wishing you continued comfort and healing. Image
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