Re-tear 4 months after LIS - want to cry!

Are you having, or have you had a Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy (LIS)? Please share your experiences here, or ask any questions.

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Re: Re-tear 4 months after LIS - want to cry!

Postby Jojo1 » 04 Jun 2013, 10:33

I had my LIS 17 months ago after 4 months of hell!!! I believe I had one instance of retear within the first 2 months, but did have minor bouts of irritation occasionally for several weeks/months after that. It can be easy to re-tear early on after LIS. But it is also easier to heal after re-tears as well.
While the initial healing of the fissure is quick (within 4-5 days), full healing takes up to two years. So, you can't really "go back to normal" after a few days or weeks. You need to stick with your softening regimen (only modified as needed) just as religiously as you did prior to LIS for at least the next 8-12 months.
Having had this procedure, let alone having had a fissure period - will require life-long changes in your bowel habits. Some of the things I did and still do (and will be doing for life) include:
1. Lots of water - I get in at least 100oz daily.
2. Start every morning with Benefiber in my yogurt.
3. Nightly dose of Miralax (currently 1/2 to 1 full dose). I will forever have to do this because I take a lot of calcium daily which is constipating (caused my first fissure). I'll be taking the calcium for life, so I have to do what's necessary to protect myself from the effects.
4. Invest in moist wipes (I used Pampers Sensitive). I use this instead of toilet paper in the back. In fact, I dip 2-3 of them in water with witch hazel and initially clean with that after a bowel movement. Followed by a few more just moist ones til I'm completely clean.
5. For the first year, I did 2-3 warm soaks daily. Now I still do a nice, long hot soak after my morning movement. It's become a ritual.
Beyond these things, I am mindful of any difference in feeling back there. If I feel the slightest stinging, tenderness, burning, etc., I'm right on it with A&D ointment or something similar. Also, I keep a couple bottles of Witch Hazel in the house always and add some to my bath water for my soak. If the burning or irritation is moderate, I will step up with 2-3 soaks for a few days until things settle down (use your judgement), but always do one nice hot soak each morning. I will always be taking these steps as I never, ever want to have another fissure as long as I live.
Don't get discouraged, just realize that healing takes time and has ups and downs and you'll be fine.
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Re: Re-tear 4 months after LIS - want to cry!

Postby becsbum » 08 Jun 2013, 22:50

Raviens - thanks for your encouragement. The physical therapy would be from someone who specializes in pelvic floor pain. I don't know what they'd do specifically.
Jojo - thanks for sharing what is working for you! I sometimes think things are coming along but then have bad days. But I don't think I have retorn again - I think I just need to give it time and perhaps try the physical therapy. (My kids are now off school which makes it hard to get to weekly appointments, so I am going to start it in August assuming I still need to.)
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Re: Re-tear 4 months after LIS - want to cry!

Postby littlebutterfly » 10 Jun 2013, 17:26

Thank you all for sharing. This is helping me. I too am experiencing a retear and am devestated. I like you do not have the knife shooting pain deep inside. But intense burning and stinging near the edges. My doctor put me on a 4% nitroglycerin cream to attempt to help it. I have had a mixture of diarrhea since the surgery as well as bouts of constipation that require enemas. Neither which has helped my situation. My heart goes out to all of you.
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Re: Re-tear 4 months after LIS - want to cry!

Postby becsbum » 10 Jun 2013, 20:14

Sorry to hear it littlebutterfly! I think there's a really good chance the nitro will work. My 2nd opinion CRS said she would have given me nitro rather than the nifedipine my original CRS gave me. Would taking probiotics help with your stomach troubles?
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Re: Re-tear 4 months after LIS - want to cry!

Postby littlebutterfly » 10 Jun 2013, 20:17

Thank you, becsbum. I am on massive probiotics. I have late stage Lyme and 27 infections in my gut and gastroparesis and rely on enemas to go to the bathroom. Although interestingly enough for about six weeks have had diarrhea several times a day. My belly is beyond what any doctor can even figure out. But yes. I take probiotics.
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Re: Re-tear 4 months after LIS - want to cry!

Postby becsbum » 11 Jun 2013, 08:06

Ugh I'm so sorry. Your poor belly!
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Re: Re-tear 4 months after LIS - want to cry!

Postby marg6043 » 11 Jun 2013, 14:26

becsbum, hi, there I hope you are feeling better, you know is funny that an old remedy that my mother used to use for me, took care of my chronic diarrhea and stomach problems, is ginger tea, if you like ginger that helps with the stomach problems.
You take fresh ginger and grind it in a bit of water then let it boil, add milk or almond milk I can not use milk products so I use almond milk, and using a colander serve in a cup, I add Cinnamon and brown sugar is great in the morning and before going to bed or anytime.
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