by jr2 » 20 May 2013, 14:57
Hi daveh,
Not sure what kind of doctor performed your sigmoidoscopy, but the scope used in the sigmoidoscopy can often miss visualizing a fissure. Most fissures are more easily diagnosed either by visual inspection by a colorectal surgeon, or by anoscopy, again, by a colorectal surgeon. Even then, however, it is still possible for it to be missed. Some smaller fissures can be tough to see, but can cause a huge amount of pain. If you're having a feeling like you're passing broken glass when you have a BM, followed by varying degrees of pain afterward that lasts for varying amounts of time, it sounds like a fissure.
Your best bet would be to be seen by a colorectal surgeon as they are the specialists who deal with fissures the most. Also, it is vital that you find a diet and/or stool softener regimen that keeps you regular with soft BMs that are easy to pass without straining. It is even more vital in your case to really get on top of treating this because with both your lymphoma and chemo. on board the fissure could potentially be even tougher to heal.
A colorectal surgeon can help you with all the conservative measures to try first, including diet, stool softeners that are safe for you to take with your chemo., topically compounded medications to promote healing, and potentially other treatments should conservative measures fail to work.