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.