6 MONTHS POST FISTULA OP
Hi all, Hope everyone here is doing well in their recoveries! x
Just a further update as I officially had my "final" (fingers-crossed EUA) yesterday afternoon......
Well, I was a bit nervous because I just wanted the thumbs up that everything was OK and I am nearly healed and whilst coming out from the GA, I got that THUMBS UP!!! yay!
Fistula has totally cleared up. Gone!
Chronic fissure (not 100% healed) but almost there!
2 internal piles (Grade 1) which are treatable........
The minor discomfort I've been experiencing appears to be due to the piles and healing of the fissure still, but it's been less frequent and totally bearable compared to this time last year, when the fissure first kicked off........
Hang in there all of you - this stuff does heal!!!
Week by week, things have got better and it's all about patience, time, positive thinking and being kind to your bum, through sensible eating, fluid intake and no straining ever!
I realised a lot of important stuff yesterday, which I also want to share as I think it's so important to recognise even the most obvious and smallest things and put them into practice...........This may also be incredibly obvious to some but sometimes you just overlook things........
As important as your diet, is the exercise factor...This stuff all started with me when my lifestyle changed from being pretty active to a lot more sedentary. I realise now that to keep your stools in check and BM's regular, you have got to get off your bum and MOVE! I'm not lazy but have a desk job and have to drive a lot more where before I walked everywhere. This has undoubtedly played a major role in the development of piles (which was an issue I rarely had to worry about) Piles hate exercise!!!!
Recognise your body and tune in to it. I was so adamant about having BM's at certain times of the day and panicking that I was constipated when I didn't go, but it's OK! Go when you need to, don't ever force a BM even when you think you are supposed to be having one. It's probably just not ready to come out yet!
Don't use your shower head directly on the area whilst cleaning up(something, I've now realised was a mistake) It can aggravate piles again by increasing the stress on the area. I've been showering the worst of the debris off gently and then finally gently dabbing with baby wipes recently. I always felt the need to get everything meticulously clean and whilst this is important, just be gentle and don't over do it!
OVER WIPING & OVER CLEANING can be as bad as straining and I never looked at it that way before.....
Reduce daily stress levels to the most minimal you can, even if it takes relaxation techniques and a lot of positive self chat. Stress has an immense effect on your ability to pass a stool calmly and it only impacts on your digestive system more, making the whole process more difficult....
It's still a learning curve but with a more sensible and wiser outlook/ approach on it all, 2013 will be my year to get this sorted and my bottom back on track once and for all!!!!
Thanks everyone for all your support and for keeping me going on my darkest days. This site really is a life saver and bless the person who set this whole thing up and the administrators. What a fantastic source of help!.........
I'm still going to be logging on and off but I finally feel that I will be less dependant and ready to move on with my life more now, which can only be a good thing.
Everyone, have a truly lovely Christmas, may your New Year be a great one and just have that faith that you can heal. Your body is amazing, don't abuse it....This all happens for a reason, pain and suffering and all, and a wake-up call to take stock of your life. Learn from it, try not to make it a big deal and just do what you need to do to fix it.
This is a temporary medical issue for most people as life is temporary for all of us, so just get on and live it!!!
Love and healing to all of you here
