help MUCH appreciated

Please come in! Start your own personal thread, tell us a bit about yourself...and your fissure, of course. Welcome!

Return to New to the forum? Introduce yourself here




help MUCH appreciated

Postby vchelp » 28 Oct 2012, 07:30

I am a 37 year old male. I am really feeling down the past few weeks due to a fissure. I am a dad of two young boys who have always seen me very active with them, but lately they know that daddy's "back" hurts. My wife has been and continues to be very supportive. I have read a lot online and wanted to share my situation in the hope I can get some good feedback and suggestions, etc.
- On Sept 18 I saw a long line of bright red blood in my BM, it was about 6 inches. It was a slightly painful BM.
- Over the next few days I occasionally noticed some blood on toilet paper.
- Then some pain started kicking in on and off throughout the day.
- I had discomfort sitting, even walking, etc. Pain level 8/10
- I had to make a business trip on Sept 26 and while traveling away from home, I went to a doctor who gave me a suppository and said it was not a fissure. (I would get a second opinion see below that said I did have one)
- When I returned home the pain still lingered.
- I had to do another business trip on Oct 3 - 5, while on this trip the pain decreased a little but did not go away.
- A few day after I returned home, the pain started increasing again. I went to CR Specialist on Oct 10th. He gave me an exam and said I have a fissure. He prescribed Diltiazem 2%, 3 times per day along with warm sit baths 3 times per day. Also said increase my fiber, etc.
- I am on my 3rd week now of Diltiazem and following the steps given. I apply Diltiazem around 6AM, 12PM, 6PM. I also applied Vaseline when I wake up before BM. Recently I read about bacterial fighting properties of Virgin Coconut Oil and started doing that to replace Vaseline 2 days ago.
- My diet has always been ok, no junk food. Due to fissure, I would say I have increased my fiber a lot. All of my BM have been soft.
I have not been to work much at all the past three weeks. My company is very understanding. I do have to go on a business trip out of country tomorrow until Nov 3rd, no getting out of that. It is a 4 hour plane ride. I usually have my BM before 7AM daily and it take about 6 - 10 hours for pain to go away.
Some questions:
1. Is Diltiazem a magic cream? I have been using for almost 3 weeks and don't feel a lot improvement. Is it you just keep doing it and suddenly one day you are healed.
2. I have a very difficult time sitting any suggestions for plane ride, etc?
It is really starting to bug me that I can't sit for meals with my family, can't play with kids, can't go to work consistently, etc. I am usually a very positive person and keeping faith that this too shall pass.
I hope to hear back from some of you with good knowledge on the subject.
Many thanks in advance.
vchelp
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 11
Topics: 3
Joined: 27 Oct 2012, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: help MUCH appreciated

Postby richibeno » 28 Oct 2012, 08:03

its very hard ,keep a good diet loads of water ,keep up the meds ,do you use stool softner ,i use movicol
keep off red meat ,,only eat wholemeal breads,no coffee
richibeno
VIP
 
Posts: 459
Topics: 28
Joined: 11 Aug 2012, 16:00
Location: uk hertfordshire
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 13 times
Gender: Male

Re: help MUCH appreciated

Postby vchelp » 28 Oct 2012, 09:05

Yes, using Philips stool softner. For past 4 weeks I have also avoided spicy food, coffee and don't eat much meat at all, zero red meat, only some chicken if any. Along with medication and warm baths, I have stuck to over 8 glasses of water daily, oat meal, salads, bananas, apples, chewable fiber tablet and other things that are recommended. Using restroom is not very painful, however within an hour after the pain starts and stays for at least 6 hours. I have to lay down, can't sit much.
Thank you very much for your reply and to the people that put this board together. It is great to know others out there care and that there is place here to learn and discuss such an embarrassing situation.
God bless
vchelp
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 11
Topics: 3
Joined: 27 Oct 2012, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: help MUCH appreciated

Postby owmybum » 28 Oct 2012, 09:19

Hi vchelp,
I really feel for you. It's so great you have an understanding wife and work, that helps a lot.
Keep going with the diltiazem.... It took a good month for it to help me. Although it didn't completely heal me it did make a whole lot of difference and I could function virtually normally for a few months. Unfortunately for me I became intollerant to it so had to stop, and have gone down hill again.
As for the plane journey... Bring a small cushion to sit on. I have a 9hr plane journey next sat. And plan on taking a cushion, and my lactulose on board so I don't miss my lunchtime dose!....
When I sit at the table for dinner with my family I put a cushion down, sort of perch on one cheek for a bit and try just to keep normal.... I know it's really hard when you feel like someone has shoved a massive knife up your butt, but the kids bickering and joking around really help to take my mind off things.
OMB x
fissure after hem banding and tag removal feb 11
Pelvic floor therapy
Diltiazem
Botox June 13
Nitro
Internal flap July 14
EUA and polyps removed Nov 14
Diagnosed with neuropathy Jan 15
Diagnosed with HS EDS type 3 (causes poor wound healing )
User avatar
owmybum
Moderator
 
Posts: 2850
Topics: 42
Joined: 16 Sep 2012, 16:00
Location: UK
Has thanked: 205 times
Been thanked: 159 times
Gender: Female
Mood: UGH !

Re: help MUCH appreciated

Postby PompeyBlue » 28 Oct 2012, 09:32

It sounds as if you are doing all the right things. I hope you will find it reassuring that diltiazem sorted me out 7 years ago and I had no problem until recent change of medication constipated me. I have started diltiazem again and things are getting easier. My experience convinces me that hard BMs ate the real enemy and keeping things soft is most important.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery
PompeyBlue
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 37
Topics: 2
Joined: 14 Oct 2012, 16:00
Location: UK
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: help MUCH appreciated

Postby vchelp » 28 Oct 2012, 12:42

Thank you very much for your replies. Yes indeed, being around the kids and getting some laughs is even more important to do now.
I decided to try an old exercise to hopefully assist, it is where you lay on your back, life your legs up and move your legs as though you are cycling. I do it for 30 seconds, stop, 30 seconds, stop and so forth. I figure this would help the blood flow.
A question for those with experience with Diltiazem. Instructions given by doctor said it should not go inside, to just rub just outside. I have read others as well as another doctor saying put some on inside as well. It is a muscle relaxer from what I know, have any of you put on inside and have you found it works better or should it be just on outside and your skin absorbs it and takes it where it needs to go?
Warmest thanks again.
vchelp
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 11
Topics: 3
Joined: 27 Oct 2012, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: help MUCH appreciated

Postby owmybum » 28 Oct 2012, 14:25

I always just put a bit on the outside. There are lots on the board who put it inside. I think it works both ways. Different crs seem to contradict each other, so do what you feel comfortable with
OMB
fissure after hem banding and tag removal feb 11
Pelvic floor therapy
Diltiazem
Botox June 13
Nitro
Internal flap July 14
EUA and polyps removed Nov 14
Diagnosed with neuropathy Jan 15
Diagnosed with HS EDS type 3 (causes poor wound healing )
User avatar
owmybum
Moderator
 
Posts: 2850
Topics: 42
Joined: 16 Sep 2012, 16:00
Location: UK
Has thanked: 205 times
Been thanked: 159 times
Gender: Female
Mood: UGH !

Re: help MUCH appreciated

Postby PompeyBlue » 29 Oct 2012, 03:43

Diltiazem. My tube says massage 2.5 cms (1 inch) in and around the anus. I put it on tip of pinkie finger, take adeep breath and go for it! Obviously if it is very painful to go inside it would be.sensible to concentrate on the outside at first. Some people use a Q tip. Good luck. I hope you will soon see an improvement.
PompeyBlue
Salt Bather
 
Posts: 37
Topics: 2
Joined: 14 Oct 2012, 16:00
Location: UK
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified

Re: help MUCH appreciated

Postby vchelp » 08 Nov 2012, 07:12

I was out of country all of last week. Plane ride was not too bad. I kept to strict diet, did warm baths 2 - 3 times per day, ate fruit and bran cereal daily for breakfast, took Phillips stool softner, chewable fiber tablet and applied Diltiazem daily. The week of this trip and 2 weeks prior, pain was a 6/10 and lasted over 5 hours after early morning daily BM. I am happy to report pain is now a 3/10 and now lasts under 4 hours. I am still keeping above routine, actually have my iPad in a ziplock bag, typing this from tub LOL. I have had my 7 year old son's soccer season start 2 nights ago, it will be my 3rd year coaching. I was fearful, but things did not go too badly. Perhaps the running around with kids also helps blood flow. That's all for now, hoping to see continued improvement and wishing all a speedy recovery.
God bless
vchelp
Fibre Addict
 
Posts: 11
Topics: 3
Joined: 27 Oct 2012, 16:00
Has thanked: 0 time
Been thanked: 0 time
Gender: None specified


  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to New to the forum? Introduce yourself here



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 18 guests