Normal for pain to vary?

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Normal for pain to vary?

Postby Katietrombone » 16 Jun 2013, 15:24

Hello! I'm new to the forum. THANK YOU for this group!!! I've been reading and have found very useful information. Most especially the knowledge that I am not alone...
I was diagnosed with an anal fissure 3 years ago. It was terrible. The pain, the humiliation of calling in to work for a sore butt, the fear of BMs, crying while soaking and wondering if the pain would ever end. I've been very lucky/blessed so far. Since the initial month of awful discomfort, I've had only occasional pain/bleeding (a little pain on the toilet a day or two a month).
The past week and a half has been nearly a return to the pain of three years ago. Pain, pressure, trobbing, not knowing if BMs will be excruciating, or even worse... the inability to go when needed. When the worst starts to subside, it seems to start again. I'm exhausted and living my life in fear of needing the toilet. Yuck.
I am glad to find this group. It helps to hear advice, support and comradery from people who have also been through this. I also am newly thankful for the partial healing that has had me mostly pain-free for three years. I hope to return to that mostly-healed state soon...
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Re: Normal for pain to vary?

Postby marg6043 » 16 Jun 2013, 19:01

Katietrombone, hi there, sorry to hear about your fissure and the pain.
First of all have you seen a doctor? and if you have not is very important that you see one, a CRS will help diagnose you and give you the right medication to treat your fissure, remember that once fissures are chronic they are harder to fix.
For what you posted it seems that you already have been treated for the fissure 3 years ago, so is good to have your doctor check again and see if its the same fissure or a new one.
First of all using Vaseline before your BM helps a lot with the irritation of the BM, also if your problem is hard stools you need to get them soft as soon as possible, do sitz bath after your BM and never use toilet paper, baby wipes unscented are best.
Is a lot of information here that can help you cope until you get to see your CRS, we know, trust me we know how debilitating is to suffer from fissures.
I wish you the best.
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Re: Normal for pain to vary?

Postby Katietrombone » 16 Jun 2013, 19:40

Hi! I was treated 3 years ago. My primary physician diagnosed the AF, prescribed a foam and sent me to a specialist. The specialist was awful. Very remote and brusque. He said surgery was never an option because it only made things worse. (imagine my surprise this week reading about the high success of the lateral sphincterectomies!). There was some helpful information though. For that awful month, Metamucil 3 times a day, salads twice a day, high fiber cereal for breakfast, hot soaks, sitz baths. Since then, I've continued to use Metamucil once a day and watch my fiber. Until this past week and a half, my bum has been only a minor nuisance. I've started twice a day Metamucil and really ramping up the fiber. I'm a little scared... four teens, a two year old grandson and oldest daughter's wedding coming up this year, I don't have time to be tied to the toilet and tub!
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Re: Normal for pain to vary?

Postby marg6043 » 16 Jun 2013, 19:50

Katietrombone, dear you need some time for yourself, sometimes stress can cause fissures and a lot of other problems to flare up.
Get yourself another CRS and it that one is no sympathetic get yourself another one.
Surgery works well for most fissure sufferers and should always be an option.
It seems that you are doing most of the things that will help with your fissure healing, but you may need some medication so is important to get to the doctor as soon as possible.
I know fissures can be devastating, it can also bring stress and anxiety, so just take one day at a time.
I hope you get some answers and treatment soon so you can get back to your family and the wedding.
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Re: Normal for pain to vary?

Postby Katietrombone » 16 Jun 2013, 21:07

Thanks, Marg! Is it possible to heal a chronic fissure? Or only to keep it at bay? And if I can get back to most of the time bum issues being a minor annoyance, is it ok to just live with it? It feels like I have a weak spot that occassionally acts up (bleeding or pain/pressure). Not as awful as many of the accounts here. Although the past week and a half has not been much fun.... Today I was hoping to have a BM in time to get to decorating committee for 8th grade graduation dance. (It was in time). Then some irritation/pressure (not bad, just irksome) during decorating. And completely jealous of all the parents with normal butts. Sigh. And fear that I would need to go or get that awful pressure while out. Everything was fine, but I hate to have such fear of BMs punctuating my days.
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Re: Normal for pain to vary?

Postby marg6043 » 16 Jun 2013, 21:25

Katietrombone, I know exactly how you feel, that pressure with pain was not fun when my fissure was fresh, one year later and my fissure healed I still worry about having to use the toilet in a public place, because I still keep a routine.
I remember that the pressure went away once I got the nitro cream to ease the spams, so is a relation between the spams and the pressure and feeling of having to go all the time.
You think is going to last forever but thankfully it does goes away, mine was completely gone by month 4, but the pain and irritation plus set backs lasted longer than that, by month 6 I was more in control of the fissure.
My fissure was chronic but is gone for now, I know that it could comeback any time as that is the way with fissures, specially when I healed naturally.
Yes fissures can heal even chronic but we need some help to achieve that.
If I ever get the fissure to become as painful as it was during my first months of the fissure been fresh I would have not problem getting surgery, because I already know how devastating it can be to wait.
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Re: Normal for pain to vary?

Postby Katietrombone » 17 Jun 2013, 11:36

Thanks, Marg! Today is a good day, thank goodness! Last day of school, dr. appt. for my 17-year-old, 8th grade graduation and dance tonight, and a trip in to school to bring goodies to the teachers and aides who work with our (multiple-special-needs) 15-year-old. No time for a sore bottom today!!! Very glad to have only slight soreness and reasonable BM early morning :o)
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Re: Normal for pain to vary?

Postby Ever the Optimist » 17 Jun 2013, 14:37

Hi Katie,
Like Marg, my chronic fissure of 1 year 5 months also finally healed naturally and my CRS advised me that with a careful diet, lots of fluids and NEVER ever straining again, that future when you've had a fissure can be bright Image
It's probable that when you originally got your fissure, you managed to heal it pretty quickly but unfortunately, that area will always be a little delicate because of the scar tissue that forms over the wound, which does not have the normal elasticity of normal skin and is less resiliant to hard wear and tear. It's just about really taking care of yourself, never becoming dehydrated, constipated and practicing good life-long habits. It sounds to be honest, that you have pretty much got it under control and hopefully this stage will pass again soon for you.......
I can see you have a pretty hectic life schedule! and although, it's really hard to get on when you're suffering, it's probably been a bit of a life saver too because it actually keeps your mind busy and fissures are so much worse when you start to dwell too much on them!!
As Marg says though, stress doesn't help, so make sure you take time out for yourself too.
All the very best to you :)
Chronic Fissure diagnosed December 2011
Healed by Diltiazem around Feb 2013
Anal Fistula followed burst abscess in June 2012
2 internal troublesome piles remain & suspected, but undiagnosed, ongoing Levator Ani type symptoms & flare-ups
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Re: Normal for pain to vary?

Postby Katietrombone » 18 Jun 2013, 08:19

Thanks! So far a good day today and just an annoyance in the background yesterday. I panicked a little yesterday at graduation dance. There were dinner foods for the kids (&chaperones). I knew there would be fruit & veggie platters (on the list), but those dishes didn't get brought. All HEAVY foods... Pizza, cake, cookies, meatballs, pizza rolls. Ugh! I just ate a couple things and had Metamucil when I got home... Next time, I'LL sign up for fruit & veggies, not cookies :o)
I'm so glad for the thoughts on this site! Working very hard not to strain. At all. Just wait. The first day, the pressure was intense, but getting easier. Planning to pick up mirilax today. It sounds like you can use mirilax even with regular metamucil use?
Thanks so much for the support!
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Re: Normal for pain to vary?

Postby marg6043 » 18 Jun 2013, 13:23

Katietrombone be careful with the Metamucil, I used to get Metamucil all the time and it works wonders, but when I came down with my fissure Metamucil will make things worst as the stools were too thick for the fissure no hard just thicker.
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