by Sue27uk » 10 Jul 2012, 03:01
Hi Suzy,
Well first I'll start by saying welcome! Sorry you have to be here but hopefully you'll get some advice and help. I've been around this forum for a while, so have a read around, you should find some good tips and advice. Unfortunately everyone is different, so difficult to say exactly what works, it took me months to figure it out. Some good advice from Lionheart above there.
As a long term sufferer, I would say definitely: drink lots of water, eat healthily. I would get onto diltiazem or rectogesic (or nitro as its known in the US) which I apply twice daily.
All of the following is what works for me: one dulcoease(docusate sodium) per day and small amount of lactulose. Aloe vera gel has provided some relief, however aloe vera tablets gave me diarrhoea. Using a baby wipe helped at first but after you have been to the loo I suggest using a damp cotton wool ball to help instead of wiping.
Some people have found relief from: movicol, sitz baths (I bought a portable bidet), olive oil, vitamin E tablets (which promotes healing), manuka honey, vitamin B as they have found a deficiency. I can't comment on all these as haven't tried them, thought I would try and summarise it for you!! I have just had surgery and botox so its a bit different for me. If the cream doesn't work you always have the option of botox injections, which relax the muscle without any long term effects. Some people have found this works by itself alone, and is not strictly surgery like LIS/fissurotomy/advanced flap procedure/fissurectomy. I hope you don't have to get to the botox stage though!
Hope some of this is helpful and gives you something to go on and try! :)