Hi everyone. I'm a 31 mom of 2 kids. So happy to have found this board as I have been going through this alone for so long. My husband doesn't understand and it's not really something you discuss with friends.
I was diagnosed with my first fissure shortly after the birth of my daughter 4 years ago. At first I was told I probably just had hemorrhoids and was sent home with cream which of course, did absolutely nothing. After begging my doctor to do something else for me, she finally sent me to a surgeon who then told me it was not hemorrhoids and was actually two fissures, mostly likely caused during childbirth.
I guess I was relieved to have an answer but when she told me my options, I didn't feel so great again. Surgery or "let it heal". Well I did not like the idea of surgery so went with the 2nd option. I took the internet and over time, I found some things that helped a bit and over a few months I eventually seemed to heal. I never was quite right again down there, and would often have little twinges of pain if my BM was a little larger than normal or I didn't drink enough water. So I have been very careful and thought I was pretty much passed it all.
But it happened again. We went on vacation over March break which meant a lot of eating bad food, alcohol and and no exercise. This also meant that I got backed up and when I returned, I just knew. Before I even went to the bathroom that day, I knew it wouldn't be good. My stomach was in knots for days and I knew every day was just getting worse. I finally tried one of those overnight laxative teas but it was too late. The next day I went but it was very thick and dense. I definitely tore again and this time I think worse than the last based on the amount of blood.
So now I'm back to the start. I'm about 4 days in and unfortunately my next few BM's after that one were just as thick and dense which definitely didn't help. I finally got a chance to run out to the pharmacy today and pick up a stool softener. I made a fruit & greens smoothie which I find always helps as well and I emailed my doc asking for another prescription for the cream she gave me 4 years ago (I can't remember the name but it was for the spasms and it had heart meds in it?). I found it was quite effective in helping the spasms stop.
So I'm going with my plan that worked last time, although I'm excited to read these boards and see if there are more suggestions I haven't tried. What worked for me before was for me to make sure my stools were as loose as possible (without being diarrhea because that just ends up stinging really bad and is harder to keep the area clean I find). After each BM, I fill the bath with about 6 inches of warm water and just sit in there for a few minutes to make sure the area is clean - I believe I used epsom salts too so I should pick up some of those. And the part that helped me the most, which I'm sure sounds so ridiculous but I swear by it... stand up to take a BM.
So please send me healing vibes and I will do the same. :)