Hello everyone, I’m new to this forum, having just come across it, but I’m definitely not new to having an AF. What a great find where this relatively unknown but common condition is recognized and talked about. The founder has my profound gratitude!
My AF started back in 2009 and it’s resulting external tear was about as painful as anything I have ever had, it bled so much I thought I would need a transfusion. Like everyone, I went to see a GP who promptly sent me off to a surgeon who recognized what it was but not being a specialist for this problem, thankfully didn’t attempt to fix it and possibly make it even worse. He told me was a fissure can take several months to heal, if it heals at all! So I waited and waited and waited, after about 6 months, I got another AF! So now after 3-1/2 years I have not one, but two very painful external wounds/sores from AF’s.
Maybe my experience and evolution of simplified, effective care can help others. I have tried all the Epsom salt bath soaks, salves, creams, Manuka medical grade honey etc. and spent hundreds of dollars trying everything on the external sores, including a lot of prescription topical antibiotics, but the wounds just refuse to heal. Then I finally figured out that I really shouldn’t be trying to make the external wounds heal before the internal fissure tears heal, if they ever do.
Here is what I have finally evolved to for controlling my AF’s, it’s pretty basic and nothing fancy, but it works for me. I eat oatmeal every single morning and also take a huge dose of Metamucil fiber along with the meal. I have found that for my external wound pain, absolutely nothing is more effective (for me) than applying Americaine Hemorrhoidal Ointment with 20% Benzocaine. This ointment with its 20% Benzocaine pain reliever relieves virtually all the pain and soreness in just a few minutes, but don’t look for Americaine in your local drugstore, they won’t have it but it can be easily bought online. The ointment provides a protective covering for the sore and it is clear and easily applied! Forget Prep.H and other creams like it, they can’t even come close to Americaine.
I know this will probably sound stupid, but I went to Walmart and bought a box of Elmers “Popsicle” type craft sticks to apply the ointment to the sores, the reason being I didn't want to possibly contaminate these sores and the sticks (1000pc box) are extremely cheap and make it very easy to apply the ointment right on the wound and not all over. I’m just making the external wound care easy to maintain and more importantly, make their pain and soreness no longer be a disturbing “minute by minute” daily reminder of my AF problem. I have also found that applying “Miracle Foot Repair” cream with 60% pure Aloe Vera soothes and heals soreness quite well, but the best I have found is using the Americaine. Sometimes I switch, but after a couple of days, I always come back to Americaine.
I still take an Epsom salt bath to soak about once, twice a week just to keep the sores under control. Sometimes I will go for a couple of weeks without a sitz bath. To be sure, I have the bleeding sore problem everyone is familiar with, now I just try to control the wounds with simple, effective low cost methods, keeping their impact on my life to a minimum.
I also researched AF online and found that the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN has AF care. I haven’t talked to them since they’re a long ways away, but if I develop a condition that is way beyond my dealing with it, I’ll be calling them in a heartbeat.
I know that many people have a condition far worse than my own. But hopefully you can get something out of my almost 4 years of coping and evolving a system of wound pain care that is easy and effective.
I read somewhere on this forum where someone said do not have a colonoscopy as it can really cause problems with an AF. That’s true, but I developed Colon Cancer in 2011 and spent 23 days in the hospital after surgery and infection. I can tell you…do not put off having a colonoscopy just because you have an AF! You can and will die from CC if you do not catch it in time, my neighbor did! This is a very fast growing cancer and just days can make a difference. I just had another 2 year checkup colonoscopy and they found (7) more pulps which automatically puts me into high risk level. I have to have another in 12 months. Yes, the colonoscopy has caused me some grief again but Americaine is a lifesaver and better yet, I know I’m still cancer free after 2 years. Please don’t put off getting a colonoscopy just because you have an AF, your life may depend on it!