Hi all. It's been a while since I've been here.
I really need to ask this as I have no idea who else I can ask for help... my problem is a strange one in that I have become totally dependent on this ritual in order to have a normal day: After each BM I need to stick my finger up my bum with a little cream. If I don't do this then I experience all sorts of horrible discomfort in the day. Itching, irritation, pain.
I don't know why this is. I used to have an AF, I still have minor internal piles, my doctor says this is normal. I have tried on 3 occasions to cut out this practice but each time it causes me so much grief and stress that I give up within a few days as it's just not worth it. My only theory is that I've been doing this for 3 years now and the constant use of cream has done something to alter the skin in my anus so that it is 'weakened'. Sorry for the graphic description but if there are small particles of faeces in my bum then walking around with that feels awful, I have to do the cream thing to clear it out. Does anyone else have this? Surely the human body is capable of coping with a bit of leftover material after a BM?
A little background info: I use Sudocrem, a zinc oxide cream for nappy (diaper) rash. I've been using this for about a year, before which I was using Vaseline, Anusol or GTN for 2 years. I take 3x Movicol sachets a day to help constipation. I put baby powder on after that to keep moisture at bay, and this helps stop it itching, but even when it's dry I still get the irritation. My AF symptoms I had a year ago seem to have subsided but this problem still remains. BMs still hurt a bit, never any blood. My doctor doesn't seem to think it's a big problem because as far as he's concerned there's nothing wrong with me. I want to scream and say that I don't care how 'well' I appear, my life is hell! I want to be able to live my life without having to stick my finger up my bottom every day. I've been single for a while, and I don't know how I would be able to maintain this routine in a relationship. It affects confidence and self image quite a lot.
Please please if anyone has any similar experiences can you share? I'm at a dead end with this now and I don't know what to try. Thanks.